Every city has an area that’s been claimed by a dedicated band of hipsters, artists and forward-thinking entrepreneurs and Riga is no exception. Miera iela, or Peace Street, is home to a bohemian community of shopkeepers, publicans, gallery-owners, painters, writers and stylish layabouts who congregate at its unusual collection of inspired shops and cafés.

Miera iela is also home to the famous Laima chocolate factory and museum and its outlet shop and café is open on weekdays. It should be noted that the street’s name isn’t a product of a recent campaign by local hippies, but is in fact an old reference to the mortuaries and funeral homes that once served nearby cemeteries here. In fact, locals will tell you that most Rigans will visit the street at least twice: when they’re born at the Riga Maternity Hospital at Miera 45 and when they depart for greener pastures at one of the street’s graveyards.

But you shouldn’t go to the latter extreme to discover this slightly gritty, but authentic experience. Just take a walk down Brīvības iela and make a left on Miera iela or take bus No.11 from Kr.Barona iela to the Brīvības iela stop. For more information visit www.mieriela.lv.