During the decade of “noughties” Latvia and Riga were going through the period of economy boom with all attributes – posh cars, restaurants and cocktail places where you could splash your cash. However the bubble burst and all these expensive upmarket places started closing down, giving a path to more affordable niche of pubs and bars. On of those was a well-know amongst locals and tourists cocktail bar “Piektdiena Ir Klat”, that went through a phase of transformation into a nice and cozy restaurant with simple and fresh name “Burkans”, which means “Carrot” in English.
Burkans started by two mates – famous Latvian barman Arnis Bikšus and chef Andris Rūmītis became quite affordable restaurant with dishes of local and international cuisine. The food menu got enriched by such delicacies as a “Slow Roasted Pork Belly” or “Pearl Barley Pumpkin Risotto”. Vegetarians will also enjoy a fine selection of vegetable dishes, like “Butter-fried Asparagus with Baby Spinach and Gorgonzola sauce”.
They do business lunches during working days from 11.00 till 16.00 with prices of 3.95Ls for the soup/snack or desert + the first course or the full set lunch for 4.95 Ls, as well as a “Meal of the day”. You can also try their “Market Basket” dish with fresh ingredients from the Riga Central Market. Drinks menu is full of cocktails that are not that pricey (3.50Ls-5Ls) and totally worth it. From the deserts menu we would recommend checking out their famous “Carrot cake”.
While it is positioning itself as a restaurant, it is still a bar, which quite a good selection of cocktails, beers, fresh soft drinks and spirits. So feel free to stop by for that reason too.
In summer time they open a terrace where you can sit and relax, enjoying some nice river views, as well as a quietness of of this Old Town district.