On 13 April 2025, the monthly “Long Breakfast” took place at the Āgenskalns Market Co-creation kitchen RE CEP TE – an initiative co-financed by the Riga City Society Integration Programme and the European Union Horizon 2020 project IN-HABIT. On this occasion, guests were hosted by AUSTRA café. Vinyl records, the lively buzz of people, the aroma of delicious food, and the warmth of spring sunshine filled the market – it was the perfect setting to sit down and interview Rūta Rietuma, manager of AUSTRA.
AUSTRA is a café that began with a simple goal: to cook for friends. As Rūta recalls, “It started more than 15 years ago because I loved to cook. I worked in restaurants, and I was the first chef at 3 Chefs Restaurant. At one point, I just wanted to cook for my friends. At the time, they couldn’t afford to go to restaurants, so we started making simpler meals together. And we just kept going.”
Today, AUSTRA is an integral part of the Kaņepes Cultural Centre, where it serves weekday lunches and participates in various events with brunches and banquets. Among its venues, Āgenskalns Market holds a special place – it is where the café regularly returns to host its popular Sunday 'Long Breakfast'.
“People come, people like it,” says Rūta about her experience at the market. “I think there are really cool people at Āgenskalns Market. Last time, during the ‘Long Breakfast’, everything was happening so fast, and we had very little time. Before the event, the team and I ruminated on the possibility of passers-by dining for free and leaving. But I thought – this isn’t the kind of place where that would happen. And that says a lot about the people here – they’re trustworthy, understanding, and respectful.”
AUSTRA lives in tune with the seasons and the moment. There’s no place for routine – the menu is created each day based on what tastes good and feels right. “I think Latvians’ taste changes a lot. One month, everyone might love bulgur; the next – not so much. For us, it’s important to enjoy the process of cooking, so we give ourselves that freedom – sometimes leaning into Latvian flavours, other times trying out Asian ones. People in Latvia love Asian cuisine, but potatoes are a classic Latvian staple. It’s always safe to cook them – we know they’ll be eaten,” says Rūta. At AUSTRA, the chefs cook right in the kitchen, creating space for experimentation and spontaneity. The café’s 'Long Breakfast' features dishes that appeal to both children and adults. There’s always a fruit salad and pancakes among the sweet options – the favourites that disappear from the table first.
Recalling an unexpected and somewhat comical incident, Rūta shares: “Once, we were at an event in Valmiera and forgot the cake stand that had been ordered specifically for a certain cake – and it simply wouldn’t work without it. We managed to find and call a friend who brought the stand from Riga to Valmiera.”
Rūta speaks very positively about Āgenskalns Market: “Āgenskalns Market is fantastic. When we’re planning our ingredients, we know we’ll be at the market. There are products we bring along ourselves, but sometimes something runs out or is missing. There's always the option to run down to the first floor and get what we need. And, just as importantly – everything is fresh, high-quality, and delicious. That’s real added value.”
AUSTRA’s presence at Āgenskalns Market and in the RE CEP TE co-creation kitchen shows that food can be more than just delicious – it can bring people together. Its story is inspiring: authenticity, creativity, and a thoughtful attitude toward food and people form the foundation of a place that’s appreciated with kind words and warm smiles.