Alus Arsenāls - Riga

A wonderful place to have a cosy event. This cool underground restaurant is very atmospheric and warm. Staff are friendly and helpful. Food is mouth watering and fresh. It is also very affordable. You can pop by for lunch or dinner after a charming walk around old Riga town, or just for a drink. This place located right on the doorstep of the President Palace, and is easily accessible by foot. Closest and cheapest parking is on the riverside, where you can park for free after 8pm.

Came recommended from a local Riga guide book. Saw reviews and they were good. And the pictures looked great. Got there and it took us about 10 minutes to get served when the restaurant was completely empty. Did think that was odd for a Friday night but we ordered their speciality whole pork leg for two people and two beers. Beers were excellent and very tasty. That's where the positives end. After 50 minutes waiting for food with literally nobody else in the restaurant, the food arrived with no apology for the delay. The chips were luke warm as was the pickled cabbage. But the cardinal sin was the pork was not only undercooked but still frozen in the middle. Took us nearly another 20 minutes after that to speak to somebody to explain the issue. Told a waiter initially but he then left us again until another person, I assume the duty manager eventually came over to help. When told the food was still frozen he said it was initially frozen but was cooked through. Didn't argue when confronted with the fact that after 50 minutes it was still frozen in the middle. Was happy to pay for the two excellent beers but the food and service were just completely unacceptable and bordering on dangerous serving uncooked pork.

Nice looking place with good beer but the food take forever to get to the table (more then 1 h) and if you are a big company you will probably not get the food at the same time. The food is okey. I would say that if you like food and good service go somewere else. If you like to take a beer and then go, this is your place.

Good traditional atmosphere. Local craft beer was very good, excellent food, recommend garlic bread with cheese sauce. Friendly service. Nice place.

Good atmospheric place with wide selection of local beer and beverages