Has visiting the market turned from a necessity to a trend these days? I would say yes, to some extent, at least for some people. You can find a gastro market in almost every big city. And a visit to the market on a Sunday, like enjoying a coffee and a freshly baked pastry in a Parisian bakery, is somewhat romanticized. Therefore, if you are not afraid of hustle and bustle and are attracted to unusual interiors, let’s go on a little adventure to Agenskalns market.
What adventures awaits you?
Location: Āgenskalns market
Cost: Depends if you want to buy something or have a meal
How to get there: By public transport, car or walking. There is a parking lot by the market.
Āgenskalns Market – A Different Market
At the Agenskalns market, there will be neither shouting nor the smell of fish nor the saleswoman who catches you as you pass by and tries to convince you that you would look great in those knockoff boots. At least I didn’t meet her. So it is nothing like the markets I remember from my childhood. The shopping experience is deliberately romanticized to attract those people who go to the market on weekends not to look for the best deals but for entertainment.
But is it bad? For things to live, they must adapt to the times. That’s why many activities that used to be a daily necessity for people today get a second life and turn from a need into an experience. Therefore, perceive a visit to the Agenskalns market as a treasure hunt from which you will return either with new impressions, a full stomach, or local delicacies in a bag.
Interior of Agenskalns Market
As soon as you enter the market, look up and appreciate the most intriguing feature of the place – the ceiling. They are designed in an industrial style with panels, pipes, and fans. It should not be a surprise that they most often appear in the pictures posted on social media. It is a market after all. But to create a surprising effect, someone has hung grand crystal chandeliers, which I think is a fun idea! Contrast like this always sticks in your memory.
Āgenskalns Market First Floor – Colourful Shopping Area
Is your reusable bag ready?
Let’s do some delicacy treasure hunting at the market stalls!
On the first floor of Agenskalns Market, you’ll find a variety of product stalls—colorful fresh fruits, tempting cheeses, fresh bread, Molberts ice cream, local craft beer, some more exotic things like olives and other goodies.
Every stall you pass by is a little different. In the bakery section, cakes sit proudly on the shelves. Your mouth starts watering as you imagine how sweet the glaze must be. I bet it literally melts on your tongue! But if you’re craving something savory, the large cheese wheels sit just as majestically as the cakes. And it’s not hard to imagine the smoky aroma you’d get from one of the smoked sausages.
However, in the autumn season, the real kings of the Agenskalns market are definitely the vegetables. Onions, cauliflower, and carrots are practically spilling over the edges of their crates.
Seeing the abundance of fresh produce gets the gears turning in your head, sifting through all the recipe ideas you could try.
Antique Hunting at Agenskalns Market
I’ll be honest, I’m a little bummed that we didn’t come to Agenskalns Market on a day when the Flea Market is operating. Hunting for delicacies is fun, but if we’re talking about romanticizing a market visit, then the stalls filled with the most eclectic mix of items sound like the ultimate adventure. Oh well… The experience will have to sit on my wishlist for a bit longer.
But before we head to the food area, if you don’t mind, I need to make a quick stop at the restrooms.
But what’s this? Guess what’s hidden in the basement on the way to the toilets? An antique shop! We definitely have to check it out.
The store’s shelves and tables are packed with all sorts of intriguing items. Here, you’ll find all kinds of pots, mugs, and small dishes. Let’s have a contest—who can find the most unusual item? I’m voting for that swan-shaped dish, but the game isn’t over yet!
Next, your attention is drawn to several record players and an impressive vinyl collection. I spotted a typewriter.
Deeper into “Skandinavs,”, you’ll find furniture and all kinds of trinkets—old matchboxes, coins, and jewelry. There’s even a shelf with used electronics, in case you happen to need, say, an iron. And at the very back, you’ll find clothes.
You could probably spend half the day carefully inspecting every treasure hidden on these shelves.
But my stomach is growling. So I vote to head to the Agenskalns Market food area. A little bird told me you can even find Georgian khachapuri there!
Agenskalns Market Food Area
The Āgenskalns Market food area is perfect for people who can never agree on what cuisine to choose. No arguments this time—there’s a little bit of everything here. In Āgenskalns Market you’ll find stalls offering Asian cuisine, Georgian dishes, pancakes, pizza, and other delights. For those interested, there are also liquid calories—wine, beer, and cocktails. Ironically, the only thing you probably won’t find here is Latvian cuisine.
All the food stalls share common tables, meaning you can enjoy a completely different meal from your friends, yet still sit together. Great! However, just like in other markets, you might have to fight for a table. It looks like it’s all based on a “first come, first served” principle. Not so great.
But if you do manage to claim a table, while you wait for your buzzer to signal that your food is ready, you can watch the hustle and bustle of the lower floor of Agenskalns Market, where people are busy shopping at the market stalls. It’s fascinating to observe all the movement and excitement.
And if people-watching isn’t your thing, we can check out what books are currently available at the book exchange station. Which one intrigues you the most? Stories about Spain? Or perhaps differentiated math exercises? Or… we could go play a game of table football.
Finally, the buzzer lets out a sharp beep—it’s time to pick up our meal.
Since I’ve been craving khachapuri ever since my trip to Georgia, I went for this hearty treat. It’s delicious. The bread feels a little different than in Georgia, but the cheese is just as rich, salty, and stretchy.
Bon appétit!
And what are your thoughts?
I know opinions differ, and some people might disagree with me, saying that a trip to the market isn’t an adventure. But I believe that visiting Agenskalns Market is an interesting way to spend a leisurely Sunday in Riga. You’ll likely return home with vibrant impressions, a full stomach, and something extra in your bag to snack on later.
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