Home Café Days return to Smiltene municipality in August
This year, the Home Café Days in Smiltene municipality will take place on August 8 and 9, featuring four more cafés than last year. The event's motto is 'Enjoy life without haste', inviting visitors to experience local hospitality and homemade food.
The Smiltene municipality is preparing for the annual Home Café Days, which this year will be held on August 8 and 9. The event, which continues to grow in popularity, will feature 23 home cafés – four more than last year, when 19 cafés welcomed over 2,300 guests over two days.
This year's theme is “Enjoy life without haste”, encouraging visitors to slow down, enjoy conversations, and savor a variety of local flavors. The cafés will be located across the municipality – in the towns of Ape, Smiltene, and Rauna, as well as in the parishes of Bilska, Branti, Drusti, Gaujiena, Launkalne, Rauna, Trapene, Variņi, and Vireši.
Each café will offer a unique experience – from family recipes passed down through generations to creative flavor combinations. Guests can sample traditional Latvian dishes such as potato pancakes with lingonberry jam or Daugava salmon, as well as international cuisine like Mexican tacos or hot honey potatoes.
In addition to food, several cafés will feature activities such as live music, creative workshops, pottery masterclasses, kayaking, and opportunities to meet a mycologist and learn about mushrooms. Visitors can also explore local farms and hear their stories.
The event is organized by the Latvian Rural Tourism Association “Lauku ceļotājs” in cooperation with the Latvian Investment and Development Agency and local municipalities. In Smiltene municipality, coordination is handled by the Business and Tourism Department of the local government. More details on menus and opening hours are available at www.majaskafejnicas.lv.
Home Café Days will also be held in Valka municipality on August 15 and 16, with further information to be announced.
