A true foodie, who is always looking for the next big thing, will surely find Ljubljana a hidden gem with lots to offer for the taste buds spoiling. Exciting traditional dishes, authentic dining and high cuisine are all on the menu of restaurants in Ljubljana. What has to be mentioned is, that the best restaurants really put great effort in selecting their ingredients: top quality, seasonal and local ingredients are their choices. The city’s culinary scene has really flourished lately, and Ljubljana is also on top of the BBC’s list of 10 culinary destinations to visit this year. You can try some of the following restaurant and dishes also by joining Ljubljana’s famous Food Tour. 

Ljubljana specialties

Traditional Ljubljana dishes: beef soups, beef tongue, boiled oxtail, fried frog legs, kranjska klobasa (pork and bacon sausage), pražen krompir (sautéed potatoes), sirovi štruklji (rolled dough with cottage cheese filling), apple strudel, orehova potica (Slovenian traditional cake with walnut filling). You can taste most of them also by joining the Food Tour Ljubljana. 

So where to eat in Slovenia’s capital? These are some of the best restaurants in Ljubljana:

Restaurant Strelec at Ljubljana Castle

The restaurant, which is designed in the Archers’ Tower of the Ljubljana Castle, overlooking the city, is on almost all lists of best Ljubljana restaurants. It offers not only superb food by Chef Igor Jagodic, but also an experience of historical ambience of the city. Even the menu brings traditional Ljubljana dishes and among other food there is also a choice of ‘castle dishes’ with some hints of medieval cuisine. There is also a variety of Mediterranean, game, vegetarian and seasonal dishes on the menu as well as slow food and desserts. And, of course, there is a fine wine chart to accompany those dishes.

JB Restaurant

When you ask a local about their best restaurants, JB is surely to be mentioned. JB Restaurant is the story of the Bratovž family, and dates back to the year 1992. Chef Janez Bratovž was the first one to put a Slovenian restaurant among world’s 50 rest restaurants. Its location is in the centre of the city, in an old building, designed by the greatest Slovenian architect, Jože Plečnik. It offers high cuisine, combined with chef’s creative ideas in an elegant interior. Guests can choose between tasting, meat, fish or vegetarian menu as well as à la carte. Guests can also buy a copy of chef’s Bratovž book, which also portrays the origin of the first-class local ingredients – from the shores of the Adriatic sea to the Alps and the Pannonian basin to the emerald rivers and rolling hills.

Slovenska hiša and Slovenska hiša Figovec – traditional food, modern way

“A restaurant, where Slovenian food and drinks finds their home,” is how Slovenska hiša (Slovenian house) describe themselves. Whether you want a ‘homemade’ cold plate of cheese and meat with bread and sausage, a cocktail or a glass of wine, you will not only leave with your taste buds satisfied, but also with an authentic experience of a homely meal. The restaurant Slovenska hiša is a point where Slovenia rural ingredients meet the urban vibe and there are exclusively local Slovenian dishes and drinks on the menu.

Klobasarna, where it’s all about Carniolian sausage

The knowledge and skill of making the Carniolian (Kranjska) sausage originates from a centuries-old tradition and the name marks the geographical origin of this special delicacy. The original recipe for the sausage is protected and only a few certified producers from Slovenia make them according to this original recipe. The exquisite reputation of this sausage is importantly configured also by the annual “Festival of the Carniolian sausage” in Sora near Ljubljana and “Days of the Carniolian sausage” which is hosted every year in a different Slovene town. You guessed right, there is not much on the Menu of Klobasarna but the famous sausage, but it is well worth to visit and try it with different condiments or in a soup.

Šestica, Since 1776

As one of the oldest restaurants in Ljubljana, dating back into the year 1776, Šestica is an ideal setting to explore traditional Slovene cuisine and taste all the famous dishes they have on the menu. Besides à la carte there is also a seasonal offer and lunchtime menus. They also make their own bread. To liven up the atmosphere, Šestica occasionally hosts Slovenian evenings featuring live music and traditional dances.

Güjžina – experience the Prekmurje region in Ljubljana

Güjžina is the first Prekmurje region restaurant in Ljubljana. Family roots of both owners are from Goričko in Prekmurje region. At Mestni trg in Ljubljana you get to know best dishes, that Prekmurje cuisine is know for: bograč (a stew made of pork, beef, venison, potatoes and onion), bujta repa (hot pot with sour turnip and pork), dödöle dumplings, variety of meat and vegetarian dishes, with famous pumpkin seeds and pumpkin oil, and one of the best Slovenian desserts, the Prekmurska gibanica cake.

Druga violina – Slovenian dishes, served by people with special needs

Druga violina (The second violin) is a special little restaurant where several of the employees are people with special needs. People with disabilities produce most of the food on a farmland near Ljubljana and also work as waiters at the restaurant. Located in the city centre you can find traditional Slovenian dishes, as well as vegetarian and dietary options. Occasionally they host creative workshops and other events. Guests can enjoy the local dishes in a rustic dining room or on the terrace, which is one of the best summer terraces in Ljubljana.

Open Kitchen Ljubljana

Not a restaurant but surely not to be missed, when you are visiting Ljubljana. It is open every sunny Friday from mid-March to the end of October and is a huge thing among locals and tourists. Since its beginnings in 2013, Odprta kuhna (The open kitchen) is located in the famous central food market and is bringing together around 60 of Slovenia’s best eateries from all over the country. Pogačarjev Square in Ljubljana is filled with stalls, where the country’s best chefs and food gurus are preparing delicious food in a beautiful open-air scenery. “It’s a truly varied foodie experience as each stall serves something completely different including the traditional local classics, modern takes on Slovenian food, fine dining meals and international dishes from all over the world, which brings the grand total to more than 150 different dishes each Friday,” says the organizer.

Some more tips on best restaurants in Ljubljana:

• For the best breakfast in Ljubljana, go to La Petit Café near Križanke.
  https://www.lepetit.si/
• For a Saturday brunch, visit EK Bistro or Bazilika.
• Best vegan restaurants in Ljubljana are Barbarella and Kucha.
• To taste delightfully tasty and beautiful desserts, try Lolita.
    

When you want to have a beer like locals and eat some burgers and fries along with the drink, go to Pivnica Union near Tivoli. 

What’s a typical Slovenian Sunday lunch like?

The Slovenians are known to be traditionalists, which can be noted also in their culinary preferences. Of course they also like to experiment, but if you ask any Slovene what a typical Sunday lunch is and you will get a similar answer every time: a beef soup, roast beef, roasted potatoes and a salad. The famous Carniolan Sausage is still very popular as well as the dishes prepared with sour cabbage such as Jota. The two nationally treasured desserts Potica and Prekmurska gibanica always make a grand entrance at every celebration or culinary event. If you’re a foodie traveler and you would like to taste as much dishes as possible, then you should join Slovenian Dinner Experience in Ljubljana.

Take it from the nature

Through history the majority of Slovenians were farmers, so it’s not surprising that a great deal of people keep a small vegetable garden. Those living in urban areas are experimenting with urban gardening. Foraging and herb picking is also a popular pastime, with masses of people gathering dandelions in spring or chestnuts and mushrooms in autumn. Living in a geographically diverse country with relatively low pollution and plenty of natural goods is a privilege. If you are also a wine lover we can’t make you miss the Slovenian precious wines. You can taste seven of them at the Wine Tasting Ljubljana where in a 300-year old wine cellar you will taste the finest Slovenian wines from different wine regions and learn must-know wine facts.

Big portion is a must!

Slovenians love their food and appreciate generous portions. They are especially known in keeping their guests happy and well fed. It’s nothing unusual if a lunch consists of a beef noodle soup, roast beef, roasted potatoes and a side dish of green lettuce salad, followed by potica and some coffee. If you happen to be invited to Slovenian home for lunch, we kindly recommend you don’t wear tight clothes and forget a diet for the day.

A list of Slovenian traditional dishes

These are some fine examples of traditional Slovenian cuisine that was enjoyed by numerous generations with little or no change to the recipes. If you are curious to try out some of these yummy dishes, you are more than welcome to join the Slovenian Dinner Experience in Ljubljana.

Let’s have a insight to some of the traditional dishes that can be found on a dinner table across Slovenian homes:

Beef noodle soup

It’s a traditional and evergreen starter of any respectable lunch and consists of a beef soup base with egg noodles.

Roast beef

A meat delicacy made of a good quality piece of meat and slowly roasted to perfection. Pork meat is also a very popular option.

Roasted potatoes

This is the most popular way to prepare potatoes in Slovenia. Potatoes are slowly roasted with onions and topped with parsley which makes it a perfect side dish to most of meat specialties.

Carniolan Sausage (Kranjska klobasa)

It’s one of the Slovenian most famous delicacies and in 2015 it successfully entered it into the register of protected geographical indications (PGIs). This small sausage is generally served whole. The adjective kranjska derives from the region of Carniola a former duchy of the Austrian Empire. The earliest mention of the Carniolan sausage in German is found in 1858 renowned cookbook Süddeutsche Küche (South German Cooking). The Carniolan sausage contains at least 75 to 80% pork (aside from bacon), and at most 20% bacon. It may contain as much as 5% water, the sea salt from Sečovlje salt pans, little garlic, saltpetre and black pepper. This spiced pork sausage goes well with a side dish of pickled cabbage or sour turnip. It can also be served cold with bread and a side dish of mustard.

Krvavica

Blood sausage is a pork sausage filled with pork blood, bacon, intestines and millet or buckwheat porridge, also consumed with a side dish of sour kraut, sour turnip or potatoes.

Jota

A stew made of sour cabbage or turnip, beans, potatoes and bacon. It is especially popular in the winter and is served as a main dish, usually with bread on the side.

Idrijski žlikrofi

Traditional Slovenian dumplings that originate from a town of Idrija. They are made of dough with potato filling and have a distinctive shape. They can be served either as a side or main dish. The recipe dates back to the mid 19th century and remains one of the most popular Slovenian dishes. Since 2010 žlikrofi were awarded a protected geographical status.

Ajdovi žganci

Buckwheat spoon bread are made of buckwheat flour and water. They can be topped with roasted pork pieces and make a great main or side dish.

Potica

This walnut roll the most famous of all Slovenian desserts and is made of dough and walnuts or tarragon. You can’t miss it on any Christmas or Easter feast.

Prekmurska gibanica

Prekmurje layer cakeis another delicious traditional dessert. It’s made of several layers of dough, cottage cheese, poppy seeds, walnuts and apples and it truly is as delicious as it sounds.

Štruklji

Cottage cheese dumplings are a traditional dish made of dough and can be prepared in different ways. They can be baked, cooked, sweet or salty, filled with cottage cheese or walnuts.

Learn to prepare the Slovenian dishes

Now that you learned a list of the Slovenian most popular traditional dishes, you might wonder if they are easy or hard to prepare. If you would like to discover the perfect way to get to know the local culinary you should experience Slovenian home cooking with Cooking Class Ljubljana. You know that food you prepare by yourself and with love always tastes better? It’s a great and fun activity where you participate with your friends, family or by yourself. We can guarantee you will meet a lot of new interesting people from all over the world while learning about the Slovenian cuisine and preparing some traditional dishes. The best part is, you’ll be doing it in the company of other foodie travelers.

Slovenian traditional cuisine is rich in the meat and meat dishes. But still, there are several vegetarian options that will leave both your stomach and taste buds highly satisfied. The most common traditional Slovenian vegetarian dishes are buckwheat porridge, filled pasta from Idrija similar to ravioli and štruklji. Besides those there is also a vegetarian take on some other traditional dishes, which are usually prepared with meat, but the vegetarian versions are getting more and more popular. You can taste a lot of those vegetarian specialties joining the Food Tour in Ljubljana. 

Mushroom soup to die for

The most traditional soup in Slovenia is beef soup, which is still almost always on the menu for a Sunday family lunch. But the silver medal goes to the vegetarian most tasty one: a mushroom soup. A lot of Slovenians love to hunt for mushrooms on their walks in a forest, so it is not a surprise, that there are many different recipes about how to make the best mushroom soup. Also when made in restaurants it is commonly believed that the best taste comes from a variety of different wild mushrooms, but porcini or cep mushroom is mandatory to get the rich flavor. The soup is creamy, often served with a scoop of fresh sour cream and bread. Definitely a dish not to be missed in Slovenia, even if you are not a vegetarian.

Traditional stews turning vegetarian 

There are also sour cabbage and sour turnip stews which are in Slovenia known as a unique dish and are most common winter dishes. Sour cabbage or sauerkraut is Slovenian local super food, gaining back its traditional popularity with younger generations’ healthy food awareness and highly recommended fermented food. 

Traditionally the hearty soup called jota is usually prepared smoked meat or sausage, but lately its vegetarian versions are getting more and more popular. The same transformation is happening to the traditional barley stew called ričet, which can be prepared also without meat. Vegetarian ričet is full of flavors and very saturated – the best one is the one consumed in a mountain hut after a long hike or skiing day.

Take the sausage away – and enjoy the tradition in a vegetarian way

The most typical winter main dish in Slovenia is probably a sausage with sour cabbage and buckwheat porridge which can be compared to polenta. Take the sausage away and you get a healthy vegetarian meal from fresh local ingredients. A well known secret says the dish gets better every time you reheat it. 

Sour turnip is traditionally served with blood sausage and mashed potatoes. Again, take the sausage away and enjoy in creamy potatoes with slightly sour turnip on the side – for many Slovenians it is an instant throwback to their childhood, when grandmas made the Sunday lunch after playing outside. A proper comfort food!

In the summer you have to try polenta in a different combination – with sour milk! It is a traditional shepherd’s lunch and the best location to try the vegetarian dish are Slovenian mountains. 

Idrijski žlikrofi – the dish with its own festival

Filled pasta from Idrija similar to ravioli or as the Slovenians call it – idrijski žlikrofi is a type of pasta filled with spiced filling made of cooked potato, sautéed onions and lard. In Idrija, they have undoubtedly been made for at least 150 years. Where their shape comes from it is not certain, some say it tries to resemble the Napoleon’s hat, others that it comes from the Alpine region. They are served with a sauce, for a vegetarian version the best option is with porcini mushrooms. 

There is also The Idrija Žlikrof Festival, an outstanding culinary experience, where this traditional Idrija dish is presented in a contemporary light. Each year in August the certified Idrija žlikrofi makers and local chefs, who make innovative sauces accompanied with high-quality wineries and microbreweries to make the festival a great socializing and tasting event. 

Štruklji dumplings with their own restaurant

Rolled dough with a variety of fillings. How good does that sound? Štruklji is a dish not to be missed when you visit Slovenia. Whether you like the sweet or the savoury version, your greatest dilemma will be, which filling to choose. 

The dish comes in the form of rolls, and can be either cooked or baked, the most common fillings are cottage cheese, walnut, apple, poppy seed or tarragon. They are served with either meat and gravy as a side dish or with breadcrumbs for a topping as a dessert. 

You can get štruklji in all restaurants that offer Slovenian cuisine and the dish is so popular it also has its own “štruklji only” restaurant in Ljubljana: The dumpling house Moji štruklji Slovenije, where You can choose from more than 20 kinds of traditional and modern Slovenian dumplings, made from different kinds of dough, with creamy or classical fillings and toppings. 

Sweeten your day in Bled with cream cake dessert

A cream cake is a specialty of the Slovenian Lake Bled area. The layered cake has it all: a golden, crispy, buttery pastry as the base, topped with vanilla custard, followed by whipped cream, and a layer of thin, buttery dough, topped with icing sugar. It is served in cubes and sold in up to 3.500 slices per day. The recipe for the original cream cake or kremšnita is a complicated one, making the dessert a true piece of art. 

Potica and Prekmurska gibanica

Potica is commonly known as every Slovenian housewife’s source of pride. The  traditional cake is usually prepared for festivities and celebrations such as Christmas and Easter. Today, you can get it anytime in restaurants and supermarkets, but homemade potica is still the best. There are around 60 types of potica, with various, traditional fillings, most commonly with walnuts, hazelnuts, tarragon, honey, poppy seeds, and cottage cheese, but also with almonds or chocolate.  The dessert is such an important part of Slovenian cuisine and culture, that it was even featured on Slovenian postage stamp. 

Prekmurska gibanica is also a well-known dessert, traditionally a dish of Prekmurje region, where recipes have often been inspired by Hungarian and Austrian traditions. A layered strudel pie is an interesting combination of different fillings and paper-thin strudel pastry. What makes the dessert different from the others is the bottom layer, often made with shortcrust pastry.The fillings are divided by butter-brushed pastry sheets and layered in the exact order of poppy seeds, cottage cheese, ground walnuts, and grated apples. The layering is done twice, finished with another sheet of pastry. A dessert that can easily be eaten as the main meal. 

Ana Roš at the Head of European Food Summit

The European Food Summit is one of the most important culinary events in Europe. Food lovers, internationally renowned journalists, top chefs, scientists, and influencers come together to share knowledge and discuss food culture and sustainability. It includes a number of food-focussed events such as culinary walks and dinners, and culminates in a gastronomy-oriented summit. The summit is headed by Ana Roš, World’s Best Female Chef in 2017 and head chef at the famous Hiša Franko restaurant, and Andrea Petrini, one of the most influential people in the world of gastronomy.

Slovenia: Top Culinary Destination

Slovenia is experiencing a real culinary revival lately. The factors all make Slovenia one of the best culinary destinations in the world: Ranking Slovenian chefs at the very top of the world, gaining the title European Gastronomic Region 2021, classifying Ljubljana among the world’s best culinary destinations, and the arrival of international culinary guides Gault & Millau and the famous Michelin Guide. Slovenia is also being recognised for its high-class gastronomic experiences and attitude towards food. 

Sustainable Slovenia

Slovenia is one of the countries with very low levels of food waste. Its inhabitants support local food production, which is why food travels the shortest distance from the field to the plate. This is how Slovenia has gained a good reputation for its farm-to-table food scene. A lot of importance is given to the production of local ingredients. Not only are they of high quality, but local producers are also doing their best to ensure that they leave the smallest carbon footprint possible in the production process. 

Food for Future’s Good

The European Food Summit is more than just a top culinary event as it raises awareness of the global impact of food, brings together great minds from around the world, and creates a better tomorrow. With an emphasis on sustainability, diversity and food culture, it sets the direction for the future. Hence the summit’s slogan FOOD for future’s GOOD. 

It’s about time we become more aware of our individual roles in achieving a more sustainable future. The European Food Summit aims to help us to do that by means of food.

Slovenia has fast gained a strong reputation due to its gastronomic offer over the past couple of years and will continue to do so especially in light of its status as European Region of Gastronomy 2021. The country boasts numerous famous chefs that have put Slovenia on the world’s gastronomic map, plus an astonishing number of fantastic restaurants. No wonder it has captured the attention of Michelin Guide inspectors. 

Ljubljana is also being recognised as one of the top food destinations in the world with its variety of restaurants. It also has food related offerings that display its gastronomic richness, such as the Open Market (Odprta Kuhna), featuring food from some of the best restaurants in and around Ljubljana, and food tours where you can taste typical Slovenian food.

Both Slovenia and Ljubljana received their first dedicated Gault & Millau guides this year. And finally, the first Michelin Guide for Slovenia is being launched this March! Exciting times lie ahead.

What is the Michelin Guide?

The Michelin Guide is the world’s most prestigious restaurant guide. It started out in France in 1900, the brainchild of French entrepreneurs Ándre and Édouard who had started a tyre company 11 years earlier. So yes, the people behind the Michelin tyres and the restaurant guide are the same. 

The guide comes in the form of a little red book full of restaurant ratings and recommendations determined by anonymous, independent inspectors who are obsessive foodies. They assess the restaurants according to use of quality products, mastery of flavour and cooking techniques, the way the food reflects the chef’s personality, value for money, and consistency of quality and service.

Michelin Star Ratings

The ratings come in the form of Michelin stars, which are awarded selectively to a small number of restaurants globally for outstanding quality. One star is the lowest rating, and three stars is the highest. The criteria for starred rankings are:

1 star: “A very good restaurant in its category” 

2 stars: “Excellent cooking, worth a detour” 

3 stars: “Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey”

What it Takes to Earn a Michelin Star?

Although the steps to earning Michelins stars are not set in stone, restaurants can work on the following in the hope of receiving those most coveted marks: meticulousness, discipline, investment in the restaurant, mastery, creativity, use of the finest ingredients, training under Michelin-starred chefs, and meeting the Michelin Guide editors to pitch their restaurant. Quite a feat!

Michelin Star Slovenia

So far, the only Slovenian restaurant to have earned a Michelin star is La Subida, which lies just across the border in Italy. With the launch of the first Michelin Guide in Slovenia in March, a number of Slovenia’s world-class chefs and their restaurants will be duly rewarded. 

Some of the best names in the Slovenian culinary scene we expect to be graced by the Michelin Stars include Ana Roš at Hiša Franko, Janez Bratovž of JB Restaurant, Tomaž Kavčič at Gostilna pri Lojzetu in Zemono, Gregor Vračko at Hiša Denk and of course Igor Jagodic of Strelec at Ljubljana Castle, but only time will tell. A team of Michelin inspectors have already been dining their way across Slovenia for months, secretly judging the country’s best restaurants to see if they meet the high universal standards needed to be included in the restaurant guide. 

We’re eagerly awaiting the announcements. Watch this space for news on which Slovene chefs have made it into the Michelin Guide’s high ranks!

Written by: Denise Rejec

Discover Ljubljana’s best food events, including our personal favourites, below.

Open Kitchen Ljubljana

Ljubljana’s Open Kitchen, locally known as Odprta Kuhna, is a regular open-air event happening every sunny Friday from mid-March to October. Located on Pogačarjev trg, just steps away from the Ljubljana food market, the Open Kitchen is a tasty collection of food stalls providing delicious food prepared by the country’s best chefs and food gurus. Here, visitors can taste food from the best Slovenian restaurants and casual eateries all in one place.

European Food Summit

The European Food Summit is where food lovers, internationally renowned journalists, top chefs, scientists, and influencers come together in a three-day event to share knowledge and discuss food culture and sustainability. It includes a number of food-focussed events such as culinary walks and dinners, and culminates in a gastronomy-oriented summit. The summit is headed by Ana Roš, World’s Best Female Chef in 2017 and head chef at the famous Hiša Franko restaurant, and Andrea Petrini, one of the most influential people in the world of gastronomy.

Food Tour Ljubljana

Food Tour Ljubljana is one of the city’s most popular food walks. This guided Ljubljana walking tour takes visitors around the city’s food hotspots, including the Ljubljana food market and fish market, stopping at various authentic Slovenian restaurants along the way. At these restaurants, you’ll discover traditional Slovenian food and taste local wines. And as you walk through the town centre, taking in the beautiful sites, your local guide will give you some memorable food facts about the country. 

The Ljubljana food tour gives you the opportunity to relax, while meeting and sharing experiences with other foodie travellers. You’d ideally take the tour soon after you arrive in Ljubljana as through it you can get acquainted with the city and pinpoint the places you’d like to further look into during your stay in the city.

Grill & BBQ Fest

This is another feast for food lovers—particularly meat and BBQ lovers—that’s held in Pogačarjev trg in the centre of Ljubljana. Grill & BBQ Fest is the crème de la crème of the Slovene BBQ scene as you’ll find a whole host of flaming BBQs going on. You’re sure to get lured into the square that’s teeming with the appetising smell of barbecued food. And it’s not just meat—there’s also something for vegetarians! Slovenian craft beers and wines are also on hand to wash down the grub.

Pivo & Burger Fest

Talking of barbecues, we can’t not mention burgers. Ljubljana has seen a rise in gourmet burger joints in the past few years, just as Slovenia has been experiencing a craft beer revolution. The Pivo & Burger Fest is a celebration of both these wonderful things and takes place, again, in Ljubljana’s famous food square Pogačarjev trg. It features a range of juicy burgers (and believe me it’s not just the standard meat, cheese and bread), plus top Slovenian and international brews.

November Gourmet Ljubljana

November Gourmet Ljubljana is a large culinary and drinks event happening throughout the entire month of November. Foodies, wine lovers, and beer lovers get the opportunity to taste typical dishes and beverages from Ljubljana and all around Slovenia. A selected number of the city’s restaurants and cafés showcase locally-produced, seasonal dishes for you to taste. The two much-awaited wine events of the year, the traditional St Martin’s Saturday Ljubljana Wine Route, and the Slovenian Wine Festival, also fall under the November Gourmet Ljubljana project.

Cooking Class Ljubljana

Do you want to learn how to cook typical Slovenian dishes while learning about Slovenia’s rich culinary traditions? Look no further than Cooking Class Ljubljana, a hands-on culinary workshop inspired by old and still popular Slovenian recipes. During a highly interactive class, you get to prepare a complete dinner together with a local chef, and afterwards sit down and enjoy the meal you created. 

You’ll cook up a four-course meal comprising an appetiser, warm starter, main dish, and a dessert, all seasoned with humour and a homey feeling. The menu is adjusted according to season, and the freshest ingredients from local farms are always used.

This four-hour long workshop, conducted in English, also features Slovenian wines and spirits. No previous cooking skills are required to take part, meaning the class is suitable for both accomplished and novice cooks. Vegetarians are also welcomed. 

Dinner in the Dark Ljubljana

Dinner in the Dark Ljubljana is a one-of-a-kind dinner experience featuring the finest Slovenian cuisine cooked up by the chefs at Best Western Premier Hotel Slon. Taking place every Wednesday, Friday & Saturday at Hotel Slon itself, this is a guided two-hour culinary event during which you’ll enjoy a delicious four-course dinner while stimulating all your senses that are heightened by lack of vision. Plus you’ll get to engage with other adventurous diners as you take up a few challenges in the dark. A must-try culinary experience!

Slovenian Dinner Experience

Taste Slovenia by joining a typical Slovenian dinner that takes place in Ek Bistro in the heart of Ljubljana, located on the famous pretty pedestrianised street Petkovškovo nabrežje right on the Ljubljanica river bank. Enjoy traditional Slovenian food, desserts, local wines and spirits. Try cooking some recipes. You’ll also have some laughs, which you can share with fellow foodies as well as your fun host. 

Throughout a four-course meal, you’ll learn about Slovenian customs, cuisine, and rich cultural heritage by means of stories told, all in English of course. And, there’ll be no shortage of Slovenian wines from Slovenia’s different wine regions. A Slovenian dinner experience you will always remember!

Denise Rejec

Local cuisine with a guide
If you’re like us, you’ll want to explore everything a city has to offer. But most of all, you’ll want to taste some delicious authentic local cuisine that will bring out your inner foodie. There’s a way to combine all the best aspects of experiencing a new destination and it’s called Food tour Ljubljana.

It’s the perfect way to get to know a city while tasting traditional Slovenian dishes. An afternoon spent with a local guide showing you around and enjoying beautiful sights while strolling through the cobbled streets of Ljubljana. You’ll find out all about Slovenian traditions and rich cultural heritage. To round the day you’ll stop at some of the best local restaurants that offer authentic Slovenian cuisine.

Eat, drink and be merry
Let your taste buds get excited by sampling all the popular Slovenian dishes, accompanied by local wines from many undiscovered regions. Our fun-to-be-with guide will entertain you with fun facts and history behind every dish you try. You’ll hear some interesting stories, such as how our national treasure Carniolan Sausage (Kranjska klobasa) found itself in the outer space.

You’ll share the table with other foodie travellers from around the world and exchange stories and experiences while eating like a local. We’ll show you where locals tend to get their piece of nature and freshness in the heart of the city, such as stopping by a milk machine that serves you fresh raw cow milk.

Go green and explore
If you want to take a step further and explore beyond Ljubljana, there are
many possibilities. In the summer you can visit the countryside and have an active family holiday and there are also several ski resorts for some winter fun on the slopes.

Green world holidays offer amazing family adventure holidays in Slovenia as well as Croatia. They support sustainable tourism and focus on activity filled programs, perfect for families with teenagers. If you’re looking for winter or summer fun, there are plenty of options at https://www.greenworldholidays.com/activity-holidays/family/slovenia/.

If you want to have a wholesome and authentic experience when travelling, then do what locals do and go where locals go. Or even better, let us take you on a fun-filled adventure. What more could you wish for?

More info: “https://foodtourljubljana.com/”

Entertaining you with all the fun facts and history behind every dish you try. You’ll enjoy the company of other global foodies and taste all the best wines Slovenia has to offer.

JB

This elegant restaurant with an old world charm is run by a renowned chef Janez Bratuž. It features Slovenian, French and Mediterranean cuisine with an impressive wine list to choose from. The menu offers a lot of meat and fish, with attractive vegetarian options and all fresh ingredients picked by the chef himself every morning at the farmer’s market. Housed in a famous secessionist building a short walk from Ljubljana’s main square, this restaurant should impress even the most demanding guest.

CUBO

A short drive from the city centre, this restaurant is well worth visiting. Featuring Mediterranean, vegetarian and seafood dishes served in a minimalist, elegant ambient with a solid wine list to choose from. A longtime favourite among guests, this place will convince and inspire you to go back for more.

STRELEC

With an attractive setting in Ljubljana castle’ tower, the food lives up to its unique location. Slovenian/European cuisine with a touch of a modern twist to excite the guest with a promise to awaken medieval cuisine nostalgia. The castle dishes with the aroma of ancient times live up to the hype. An additional bonus is a lovely walk down the green castle hill to the centre.

VALVAS’OR

Named after the famous Slovenian renaissance man Janez Vajkard Valvasor, this modern restaurant is found in the middle of the old part of Ljubljana. Housed in a historic three-level building with a modern interior this restaurant offers a wide range of dishes, from Slovenian, Mediterranean to seafood and vegetarian. And let’s not forget premium Slovenian wines.

ATELJE

This new restaurant near the Grand Hotel Union describes itself “simple but refined” and offers an informal and relaxed atmosphere, where guests can relax and enjoy the creative process of young chefs, sommeliers and waiters. The restaurant offers Slovenian and international dishes while using seasonal ingredients. They also bake their own bread, ripen their own cheese, make yoghurt and preserve vegetables.

These are some of the best-rated restaurants in Ljubljana, all worth a try. Just to be on the safe side, make sure to have a reservation… you don’t want to miss out.

Ljubljana – the hot new culinary spot

The BBC has just put Ljubljana high on top of its list of ten culinary destinations for foodies to visit this year. Slovenia’s culinary scene has really flourished in the past few years, especially in the capital – Ljubljana. The general enthusiasm for food culture and the steep rise of tourism propelled the city to up its culinary game. There’s a number of restaurants and bistros serving locally influenced cuisine, often with a contemporary twist. Traditional Slovenian dishes have once again found a spot on most accomplished restaurants’ menus. Having faded into the background some time ago, they’re now firmly back and here to stay.

Top chefs and winemakers

A number of famous chefs and winemakers have shone a light on this boutique destination, famous for its picturesque scenery and quality of life. Having the world’s best female chef – Ana Roš or numerous winemakers whose awarded wine sell in top restaurants from New York to Tokyo, certainly helps. Then there’s a young generation of chefs eagerly waiting to put their print on the country’s culinary development.

The market – heart of the city

Ljubljana’s food market is the liveliest part of the city, especially on Saturdays when there’s an organic market. The advantage of Slovenia being small is that it’s not so globalised. Which means the farmers can produce readily available, high-quality ingredients. Organic farming and urban gardening are on the rise, with people putting more emphasis on quality than quantity. On Fridays (March – October) the market of Ljubljana transforms into an open-air food court “Odprta kuh’na” with every culinary option imaginable, from local to international. The party goes late into the evening, with people mingling, enjoying great food, quality wine and generally just celebrating the upcoming weekend.

Ljubljana, a vivacious capital of Slovenia, makes for an unforgettable culinary destination. Rising in popularity, but not yet mass tourism infested, which means unspoiled quality food and acceptable prices. Traditional and contemporary cuisine awaits food lovers, prepared to go a step further. And not a single tourist menu in sight! Now go on, take that Insta photo, you know you want to.

Or that buonissima Pasta Carbonara you enjoyed in Italy?

Been there, done that. We’ve all had our fair share of pasta. Now it’s time to try something new.

I bet you’ve been hearing a lot about Slovenia lately. This picturesque country has many natural and culinary delights to offer and has rising numbers in visitors to prove for it.

It comes as no surprise that Slovenia has won the title European Region of Gastronomy 2021. The International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism has awarded the title to Slovenia based on the country’s gastronomic offers combined with the development of sustainable living and quality of life.

This is an exciting opportunity for all gastronomy-seeking explorers to come and savour everything Slovenia has to offer. The country’s vision is putting emphasis on ecological farming and sustainability high on its priority list of gastronomy development. On top of that, it has the ideal geographical position to take advantage of.

The locally produced ingredients, such as salt harvested from Adriatic salt pans, produce grown in fields and gardens, honey made by native bees, ingredients foraged in forests and meadows, wines from plenty of vineyards across the country, all make it to Slovenian dishes. Green and healthy comes to mind when getting to know this lovely country, nested in the heart of Europe.

Winemaking

Slovenia has a long and rich tradition of winemaking. The premium wine varieties are often boutique produced in smaller quantities and made with traditional methods. Even the world’s oldest vine grows in the Slovenian city of Maribor. Needless to say, the wine culture has always been an important part of this country. Slovenia’s famous poet France Prešeren was also a passionate wine lover. He had written a toast – “Zdravljica” which is an ode to Slovenian wine, that later became a national anthem of Slovenia. You can explore a part of winemaking land with Wine Tours Slovenia.

Beekeeping

Slovenia has been long known for its honey production and has a selection of world pioneering experts in innovation. Thanks to the country’s lush and diverse landscape, a rich selection of various types of honey can be produced – such as acacia, chestnut, flower and forest. The next step is urban beekeeping, which has been developing successfully in recent years. It can be visited on various city tours of Ljubljana or the Bee Path.

Salt panning

Salt production was always an important part of our country. No wonder Slovenia’s own Popeye, a fictional folklore hero Martin Krpan, was a famous salt smuggler. Slovenia’s salt pans are one of the few in Adriatic to still produce salt by using traditional methods. The world-class Fleur de Sel, also produced by using centuries-old process, is one of the world’s best in quality.

What better way to excite your taste buds and broaden your horizons. A new gastronomic destination awaits. What are you waiting for? Book that flight to Slovenia, before everyone else does.