Sēlijas Salas Invites Travelers to the Sixth Annual Home Cafe Days on September 12 and 13
The annual rural tourism marketing initiative known as Mājas kafejnīcu dienas, or Home Cafe Days, returns to the Sēlija region of Latvia on September 12 and 13. Operating under the slogan “Badīgs kā vilks? Piestāj Sēlijas salās!”—which translates to “Hungry as a wolf? Stop by Sēlijas salas!”—this year’s event features 33 improvised home cafes spanning the landscape from Jaunjelgava to Kaplava. As coordinated by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), Lauku Ceļotājs (Baltic Country Holidays), and the community network Sēlijas salas, the weekend offers visitors a window into local culinary traditions, folk culture, and regional hospitality.
According to regional reporting, this community-driven initiative marks its sixth year of celebrating local gastronomy in Sēlija. Last year, in September 2025, the two-day event drew 4,070 visitors to the region’s pop-up culinary spots, building upon the 3,700 guests recorded in 2024. Organizers emphasize that these temporary dining spaces are not commercial restaurants in the traditional sense. Instead, they represent private homesteads, backyards, and community spaces opening their doors for a weekend, offering homemade dishes crafted by local residents who may have no prior professional experience in commercial hospitality.
From Rustic Broths to Vegan Delights: What’s on the Menu
The 33 participating locations reflect a mix of generational recipes, agricultural pride, and contemporary culinary trends. Among the long-standing favorites, “Raibais tirgus Subatē” in Subate returns for its sixth year, offering country goods sourced directly from the Subate and Prode parishes, including vegetable and meat stews, smoked meats, and seasonal garden harvests. Meanwhile, the family restaurant “Klajumu ķēķis” in Kaplava parish will serve up traditional green cream soup, wheat stew, and homemade honey cake. Visitors to this location can also interact with horses in the pasture and stables or climb atop a steel horse.
Anniversaries and fresh concepts also mark the lineup. The pop-up cafe “Pietura Sunākste-Bērzi” is celebrating five years of participation by serving campfire-cooked vegetable soup with blood sausage, alongside menu items such as “Klukste mundierī” and “Saldo kumosiņu.” Also marking its fifth anniversary is “Mikado Ilūkste,” which has partnered with the association Ilūkstes jaunieši to offer a dedicated vegan menu featuring risotto, marshmallows, and Indian sweets. Furthermore, nine brand-new participants are joining the roster for the very first time, opening doors in Eglaine, Elkšņi, Ērberģe, Jaunjelgava, Kalna parish, Kalnamuiža in Nereta parish, Sērene, Viesīte, and Zalve parish.
Essential Logistics for Traveling Through Sēlija
Navigating the Home Cafe Days requires careful planning, as organizers stress that advance reservation is strictly mandatory for every single participating location. Travelers must consult the official Sēlijas salas home cafe map and the virtual Home Cafe Days journal to review individual menus, opening hours, and precise contact details, because operating schedules vary—some locations welcome guests on both Saturday and Sunday, while others operate for just a single day.
Visitors should also come prepared for rustic payment methods. The vast majority of pop-up cafes operate strictly on a cash-only basis. On the regulatory front, all participating hosts have completed food safety and hygiene lectures administered by the Food and Veterinary Department (Pārtikas un veterinārais dienests) to ensure safe handling practices during the high-traffic weekend.
Coordinated with financial support from the Society Integration Fund (Sabiedrības integrācijas fonds) utilizing state budget resources, the event continues to bolster regional economic vitality and community resilience. For further inquiries or coordination details, travelers can reach out directly via email at [email protected]. As September approaches, Sēlija’s rural communities are ready to welcome curious food lovers eager to experience the distinct cultural flavor of Latvia.
