During my stay in Slovenia, I was rather taken aback by the quality of the local cuisine and wine. I didn’t know too much about it before I walked in, but by the time I left, I was a major fan. Restaurants in Ljubljana really do have something for everyone on their menus.
As part of the walking culinary tour of Ljubljana that I took, the guide provided me with a list of recommendations, and while I was in town, I made it a point to eat at as many different restaurants as I could.
During your time in Ljubljana, be sure not to miss out on the following opportunities to get more familiar with the city (but hurry, since they’re going fast!)
- From Ljubljana: Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj Day Trip
- Ljubljana: Guided Walk & Funicular Ride to Ljubljana Castle
- Wine Tasting Ljubljana
- Ljubljana: 3–Hour Bike Cruise
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The 8 Best Ljubljana Restaurants
Monstera
Gosposka ulica 9 // +386 40 431 123
When people in the neighborhood learned that I worked as a food writer, they never failed to recommend that I eat at this particular establishment.
Monstera has garnered a lot of attention because to the originality and creativity of its cuisine. There is widespread optimism that they will shortly be awarded their first Michelin star.
You don’t have to pick from items on a standard menu since there are weekly set lunches and nightly tasting menus to choose from.
Bone marrow is one of the less conventional ingredients that Chef Bine Voli employs in his dishes.
It is very necessary for you to contact ahead in order to secure a reservation. As a result of the fact that the menu is modified on a daily basis according to what is in season and fresh, many tourists end up going to Monstera more than once during their time in Ljubljana.
Mesarstvo Krusic
Bezenškova ulica 11 // +386 1 544 61 41
Mesarstvo Krusic is well-known for serving horse meat, which is a traditional dish in Slovenia. After some initial reluctance, I made up my mind to give it a go, and when I did, everyone informed me that this place had a reputation for providing the absolute finest food in the whole city.
I purchased a horse burger with the intention of politely trying a mouthful or two of it (and, of course, get a photo for Instagram). But to my astonishment, I found that I rather like it. I devoured the whole of the burger!
However, this is not just any burger; careful consideration was given to each component of the burger. In order to achieve its one-of-a-kind flavor, the potato milk bun is baked using horse fat rather than butter. Horse ham, not bacon, is what you’ll find between the buns of this burger. The patties is produced with locally sourced horse meat from Slovenia, and the burger is finished off with freshly prepared veggies and a sauce cooked in-house.
To tell you the truth, I was taken aback by how much I loved eating this burger. When I come back, you can count on me to place another order.
Altrokè
Stari trg 19 // +386 820 55282
Although the menu at Altroké is not very wide, each item is prepared quite well.
While Altrokè is most known for its steaks, they also serve wonderful handmade pasta dishes, fresh seafood (including lobster cooked with a herb foam), and stunning salads.
Their charcuterie platters as well as their amazing wine selection, which includes wine that the proprietor creates himself, left an impression on me.
They were selling pasta out of a dish made of fresh parmesan when I came across them at Open Kitchen, which is a weekly gourmet market in Ljubljana.
Bistro
Petkovškovo nabrežje 65 // +386 70 531 653
It’s possible that Bistro is the restaurant in all of Ljubljana that sees the most customers for breakfast or brunch.
Eggs Benedict, French toast topped with brioche and smothered with vanilla sauce, eggs Florentine, and omelettes are some of the traditional dishes that can be found on their menu.
In addition, the Bistro serves smoothies, fresh juices, and what many consider to be the city’s greatest coffee. Because of the high volume of customers on the weekends, it is important to make reservations in advance.
Luda
Poljanska cesta 11 // +386 51 761 294
On one of my last evenings in Ljubljana, I went to Luda for one of their excellent tasting menus, which had five courses. Because I found every meal to be delicious, and the wine recommendations made by the wait staff to perfectly complement each course, I have no hesitation in recommending this establishment to others.
Because Luda, like many other restaurants in Slovenia, makes use of items that are in season, the menu is always evolving.
In addition, Luda provides a tasting menu consisting of three courses as well as alternatives for vegetarians. Remember to make reservations far in advance.
Argentino
Šmartinska cesta 152 // +386 1 523 36 30
It’s odd for me to say this about a restaurant that’s situated in a shopping mall, but Argentino served me one of the best steaks I’ve had in recent memory. The atmosphere was really peaceful, the steak was cooked to absolute perfection, and the personnel gave excellent service.
If you would rather eat seafood than red meat, Argentino specializes in a large selection of seafood meals that you may choose from.
Pop’s Place
Cankarjevo nabrežje 3 // +386 590 42856
Does anything more need to be said about handcrafted gourmet burgers and artisan beer?
At Pop’s Place, you can get traditional burgers like the bacon cheese burger, as well as burgers topped with truffle oil, burgers topped with barbecue sauce, and a vegan burger if you don’t feel like eating meat. Be sure to include a side of herb-and-Parmesan fries with your order.
In addition, Pop’s provides guests with mouthwatering barbecued ribs, which they highly praise. They often sell out very quickly.
Gujzina
Mestni trg 19 // +386 838 06446
Gujzina was my go-to spot for sampling traditional Slovenian food, and I highly recommend it. On the menu are offerings like as freshly made bread, goulash, sausages, and regional wines.
I also found several amazing places that aren’t exactly restaurants, but I still think they’re worth mentioning –
Wine Bar Suklje
10 Breg // +386 40 654 575
Wine Bar Suklje was my favorite wine bar in Ljubljana. Their staff is quite experienced, and they have more than 300 brands from all over the globe, so they will be able to assist you pick a bottle that suits whatever mood you are in.
In addition, you have the option to buy wine flights, such as the one that had regional wines and charcuterie platters, both of which I sampled throughout my tasting experience.
Kolibri Cocktail Bar
Židovska steza 2 // +386 31 336 087
In the evening, Kolibri is the ideal location for a nightcap or a beverage before supper. Their drink list is packed with intriguing concoctions, any of which may be thoroughly explained by the friendly wait staff. In the very odd occasion that nothing on the menu piques your interest, they will also mix up a specialty drink just for you.
The bar is very stunning. The bartenders create beverages that are one of a kind and delectable, and the crew is kind and enthusiastic about their work. Drinking here is more than simply going to a bar; it’s an event in and of itself.
Open Kitchen
Pogačarjev trg square
If you were to ask me what one thing in particular would make me want to return to Ljubljana, I would tell you that it is Open Kitchen.
Every Friday (weather permitting), Slovenia’s finest dining establishments transform an entire park into a collection of mobile gourmet food trucks.
To even be considered for a spot in the Open Kitchen, your restaurant has to be ranked among the top one hundred in the whole nation. Then, after you are accepted, regardless of how gourmet your cuisine is, you will need to devise an idea that is suitable for a meal served from a high-end food truck.
You may get everything here, from shellfish to entire roasted pigs to horse burgers, as well as options from other countries and, of course, a variety of local beers and wines to drink it all down with.
It was tough to choose just one option when there were so many available. It was a blessing that I had a buddy with me so that we could split it. Visitors to Ljubljana who have a passion for good cuisine should not pass up the opportunity to stop here.