Gauja National Park Region’s Culinary Stars Shine Again: MICHELIN Guide Latvia

The 2026 edition of the MICHELIN Guide Latvia features 34 restaurants in total, of which seven are located outside Riga – underscoring the growing strength of regional Latvian gastronomy.

MICHELIN Guide Latvia recomended 4 restaurants located in Gauja National park region:

• H.E. Vanadziņš, located in historic Cēsis, has been newly awarded a Bib Gourmand. According to the MICHELIN Guide: 

H.E. Vanadziņš in Cēsis offers more than meets the eye. Its traditional façade conceals a surprisingly contemporary room with a convivial atmosphere, while further through there’s a sizeable terrace hidden to the rear. The concise menu champions regional produce – a commitment that carries through to the bar, where house-made ingredients elevate both the soft drinks and the cocktails. Add wallet-friendly pricing and cosy bedrooms, and it has a great all-round appeal.

• Pavāru māja, in the Līgatne area of the park, remains in the Guide and has been recognised again with a Green Star for sustainable gastronomy. 

• KEST and Akustika continue to represent the region’s growing culinary excellence with creative, locally inspired menus.

Why It Matters

The MICHELIN Guide inclusion is widely viewed as a mark of global recognition – not simply for individual restaurants but for the broader hospitality and tourism sector. For the Gauja National park region – celebrated for its natural beauty, national park landscapes and cultural heritage – this gastronomic recognition offers a meaningful link between fine dining and destination tourism.