Pavāru Māja

Step into Pavāru Māja, where Latvia’s first Michelin Green Star restaurant transforms seasonal dining into a countryside retreat. Housed in Wilhelma, a former maternity hospital built in 1901 on the edge of Līgatne village, this smart modern restaurant sits within Gauja National Park, surrounded by forests and the Līgatne River. The historic two-story brick building combines restored architecture with contemporary dining spaces, preserving original features while creating comfortable settings for groups from intimate gatherings to larger celebrations.

Chef-owner Ēriks Dreibants and head chef Juris Dukaļskis have spent years developing a menu rooted in Slow Food philosophy and nose-to-tail cooking principles. The restaurant collaborates directly with Līgatne farmers and forages throughout the surrounding wilderness, sourcing characteristic regional flavors. Raised beds in the Nature Observers’ Garden provide vegetables and herbs, while the ancient sandstone cellars of Līgatne store farmer products. The menu features distinctive local ingredients including sour cherries, Latvian yellow turnip, Lake Burtnieki zander, and wild game, with signature dishes like acorn dessert and homemade leek bread.

Pavāru Māja champions sustainability through every aspect of operations. The restaurant recycles organic waste through composting, sources all produce locally from Latvian farmers and hunters, and works with local artisans who craft handmade serving plates. The building renovation utilized historical materials including limestone plaster and paint while preserving original architecture. For groups, the restaurant offers complete event packages combining tasting menus with private dining spaces, cooking masterclasses, and the opportunity to explore the surrounding natural setting.

The dining experience centers on seasonal tasting menus that change based on daily availability. Groups can choose between 4-course lunch and 8-course dinner formats, with each dish telling stories of Latvian nature and local farming traditions. The venue accommodates corporate events across two floors, with workspace for up to 40 people on the first floor and an intimate private room for 14 on the second floor. The Nature Observers’ Garden offers guests a tranquil setting before or between courses, where they can experience the restaurant’s connection to the surrounding landscape.

Contacts and location

Phone: +371 27 331 222
Email: info@pavarumaja.lv
Website: https://www.pavarumaja.lv
Address: Pilsoņu iela 2, Līgatne, 4110, Latvia [See on Google Maps]

Languages spoken

English, Latvian, Russian

Capacity and layout

Main dining area: 50 seats
Total capacity: 64 guests
Maximum group size: 64 guests
Maximum group size seated: 64 guests
Outdoor seating: 0
Private/Semi-private spaces: 1
Private room (2nd floor): 14 seats

The former maternity hospital features two floors connected by interior staircases, with the main dining area on the ground floor and a private room on the second floor. The dining spaces blend restored historical architecture with modern furnishings, maintaining original features like limestone plaster walls while creating flexible settings for both intimate meals and larger group events. (The restaurant can accommodate up to 120 guests for garden events and offers catering services for off-site functions.)

Floor plans: [To be confirmed – contact restaurant for details]
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Accessible restrooms: Yes

Cuisine and dining

Cuisine type: Modern Latvian regional cuisine with Slow Food philosophy
Group menus available: Yes

Tasting menu format with 4-course lunch and 8-course dinner options. Family-style service available for groups with shared platters featuring seasonal ingredients. All menus informed by daily availability from local farms and foraging expeditions.

Dietary accommodations:

Vegetarian options
Vegan options
Gluten-free options
Allergen-friendly preparations

Beverage packages

Pavāru Māja offers a curated selection of contemporary and sustainable wines, with the concise wine list personally overseen to complement the seasonal tasting menus. The beverage program emphasizes natural wines and local producers where possible, reflecting the restaurant’s commitment to sustainable sourcing.

For group events, beverage packages include paired wine sets for the 8-course tasting menu, mixed drink pairings, and non-alcoholic drink options featuring fresh juices and local ingredients. Welcome drinks can be incorporated into private events and celebrations. The restaurant provides professional service with thoughtful explanations of each pairing, helping guests understand the connections between regional wines and seasonal dishes.

Water and fresh juices are available throughout service, with all beverage options designed to enhance the dining experience while maintaining the restaurant’s focus on sustainability and regional authenticity.

Event suitability

Corporate dinners
Incentive travel groups
Team building events
Private celebrations
Networking events
Tour groups
Culinary experiences
Sustainability-focused events

Special features and programs

Michelin Green Star Recognition: Latvia’s first restaurant to receive the Michelin Green Star for sustainable gastronomy, awarded in 2024 and retained through 2026. The distinction recognizes the restaurant’s leadership in sustainable practices, from sourcing exclusively local ingredients to composting organic waste and working with regional artisans. The Green Star designation reflects culinary excellence combined with environmental responsibility.

Cooking Masterclasses: Hands-on cooking experiences and informative masterclasses with the chef team, where groups discover culinary secrets, explore new ingredients and techniques, and connect as teams. Programs include cake and dessert-making, grilling sessions, and a beef culinary masterclass combined with a 6-course tasting menu. Prices start from €45 per person. Sessions can be combined with teamwork days or celebrations.

Corporate Event Packages: Full-day or half-day packages combining workspace with meals and activities. The venue provides projector, screen, whiteboard, and necessary equipment for meetings and training sessions. Packages include breakfast, coffee breaks, lunch or dinner. Available Monday through Friday afternoons for teams of 14 (2nd floor) or 40 (1st floor).

Chef-Hosted Tasting Dinners: Journey through distinctive regional flavors with 8-course tasting-menu dinners hosted by the chef. Each dish paired with carefully selected drinks, complemented by appetizers and signature dishes. The experience typically takes 3 hours and showcases the best of seasonal Latvian ingredients.

Sustainability Practices: The restaurant champions minimal environmental impact through composting all organic waste, sourcing exclusively from local Latvian farmers and hunters, utilizing handmade plates from local artisans, and storing produce in historic sandstone cellars. The restaurant maintains raised beds that provide fresh herbs and vegetables, with bee products from on-site hives incorporated into menus for the third consecutive year.

Slow Food Movement: As an active member of Slow Food Straupe, the restaurant focuses on restoring threatened varieties characteristic of Latvia, including sour cherries, Latvian yellow turnip, Lake Burtnieki zander, and ancient herb seeds. The nose-to-tail cooking approach minimizes waste while honoring traditional Latvian food preparation methods.

Historic Building: The restaurant occupies Wilhelma, the former Līgatne Maternity Hospital, built in 1901. Renovation preserved historical architecture while incorporating natural materials like limestone, plaster, and paint. The building sits within Gauja National Park, offering views of the surrounding forests and Līgatne River.

Proximity to key locations

How far is it from…

– Riga city center: 65km
– Riga International Airport: 75km
– Cēsis: 25km
– Sigulda: 30km
– Līgatne Nature Trails: 2km
– Līgatne Paper Mill: 1km
– Gauja National Park entrance: 0km

Note: Pavāru Māja is located in Līgatne village within Gauja National Park. The restaurant is approximately 1 1-hour drive from Riga. Parking is available on-site. The venue is accessed via a pedestrian bridge over the Līgatne River, creating a scenic approach through nature. Coaches can drop off near the restaurant with advance coordination.

Notes and limitations

– Open Thursday through Sunday only – closed Monday through Wednesday
– Reservations required – booking essential for all dining and private events
– Tasting menus require a minimum 2-3 hours for a full experience
– Menu changes based on seasonal availability – specific dishes cannot be guaranteed in advance
– Private dining room (2nd floor) accommodates a maximum of 14 guests seated; main dining area accommodates a maximum of 50 guests
– Cancellation policy: Groups under six guests – €50 per person if cancelled within 24 hours; Groups over seven guests – €50 per person if cancelled within 72 hours
– Groups larger than 12 guests should contact the restaurant directly for private dining arrangements
– The historic building features stairs between floors
– Restaurant housed in a protected historic structure from 1901

Video and virtual tours

TBD