Ljubljana has many cafes and bars to suit all tastes and temperaments. The scenic riverside is a popular location for outdoor cafes, and you will usually find people relaxing there in the warmer months.

Ljubljana's atmospheric cafes and restaurants make eating out in Ljubljana a delight, especially after a fun day of exploring or shopping in Ljubljana. Take a look through our Ljubljana Restaurant Guide below for tips on where to find a great meal, as well as what kinds of food to expect. You can also find more general information on the food and cuisine of Slovenia in our Slovenia Restaurant Guide.

Food & Cuisine in Ljubljana

Slovenian Cuisine

Modern Slovenian cuisine is heavily influenced by Alpine, Mediterranean and Pannonian cultures. This exposure to myriad cultures is reflected in the culinary tastes of Slovenia: there is no single, uniform local cuisine. Instead, at least 40 distinct types of local cuisines coexist in the country. Cereals, dairy products, pork, fish, vegetables, legumes, tubers, olives and grapes form the staple ingredients of Slovenian cuisine. The cuisine is a wonderful combination of influences of local monastic orders, medieval lords and the rural population. With such a wide variety of different vegetables, delicatessen, fishes, game dishes, pastries and wines, you will have a difficult time choosing what to eat. 

Traditional Slovenian dishes such as the štruklji (cottage cheese dumplings), potica (walnut rolls), gibanica (cream cakes) and kraški paršut (air dried pork) are extremely popular with locals and tourists alike. Don't forget to wash down your meal with some Teran, a delicious ruby red wine.

Restaurants in Ljubljana

Ljubljana has many cafes and bars to suit all tastes and temperaments. The scenic riverside is a popular location for outdoor cafes, and you will usually find people relaxing there in the warmer months.

Café Macek at Krojaska Ulica 5 is the most famous of Ljubljana's riverside cafes and attracts many local celebrities. In fact, some of the most popular bars in the city can be found on the streets running parallel to the river. These radiate outwards from the Prešernov Trg, the main city square. It should be borne in mind that the more interesting bars do not directly face the river, but are located on the backstreets. Stumbling across these wonderful bars and cafes that are tucked away in various corners of the city is part of the joy of exploring Ljubljana.

Eating in restaurants in Ljubljana is akin to a guided culinary tour, with the local cuisine combining elements of Balkan, Italian and Central European cooking; even the seafood comes fresh from the Adriatic. There are also many exotic specialties from remote areas available at reasonable prices.

Slovenian cuisine has been heavily influenced by the cooking of its neighbouring countries, Austria and Italy. There are many famous Ljubljana restaurants that have become very popular due to their scrumptious fare. Priskofu is famous for its peppered steak and tasty stews. Gostilna, or local inns, which serve traditional fare, are also popular. The most famous of these is the Sokol.

Local Delicacies

In autumn, the markets are filled with the smells of fresh vegetables and fruit. Autumn is also the season when the aroma of roasted chestnuts permeates the entire city. A bag of roasted chestnuts washed down with a quick drink at one of the bars is the perfect way to sightsee in Ljubljana.

Those looking to try something a little unusual should try the Zrebičkov Zrezek, a Colt steak that is served in many restaurants. Ljubljana is also one of the few cities in the world where you can sample a hamburger made of horse meat at the famous fast-food restaurant Hot-Horse.