These Are The 10 Best Restaurants in Ljubljana, Slovenia

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Unassuming and understated, Slovenia’s riverside capital has embodied change since the fall of Yugoslavia just 35 years ago. Walking its streets, it’s hard to compare Ljubljana to Belgrade or Sarajevo. Now Europe’s greenest capital city, its name means beloved in Slovenian. Visit for yourself, and you’ll soon see just how easy it is to fall in love with.

Reaping the glory of Slovenia’s recent financial successes, Ljubljana feels young at heart. Complete with its buzzing nightlife, helped along by a strong student population, modern, efficient and clean infrastructure, and a thriving arts scene, it’s easy to forget just how historic Ljubljana is.

Founded in the 12th century under the Holy Roman Empire, Ljubljana has been Slovenian, German, Austrian, French, Italian and Yugoslav over the course of its history. You don’t have to look to far beyond its modern façade to find the history, something which is more than apparent in its culinary scene.

Slovenian cuisine is very much a nod to the influences left behind by its Central European neighbors and former occupiers. At the same time, global flavors and modern masterpieces are never far away. When it comes to dining out in Ljubljana, you’ll be spoiled for choice. These are our pick of the best restaurants in Ljubljana.

The Best Restaurants in Ljubljana for Traditional Slovenian Cuisine

Gostilna Sokol

In the heart of the Old Town, sitting under the shadow of the castle in an 18th century inn, Gostilna Sokol is no stranger to travelers seeking out a traditional Slovenian meal. Its location, coupled with its excellent reputation, keep it busy all day long. And yes, that does mean Gostilna is on the touristy side. Nonetheless, it has the charm of an alpine retreat, friendly service and, above all, a classic Slovenian menu.

Their local dishes, true to style, are meat heavy. Expect roast beef and pork, goulash and Slovenia’s most famous sausage- the Carniolan. Lighter options include grilled sea bass and calamari, whilst there is a small, but high quality, vegetarian menu featuring cheese rolls, gnocchi and loparnica, an age-old Slovenian layered casserole.

Whatever you go for, be sure to leave room for dessert. Their homemade strudel is divine, but the highlight is gibanica. Made with layers of cottage cheese and filo pastry, its an old Yugoslav favorite. They also offer a full bar menu featuring local spirits and their own house-brewed beer which is a little different to say the least. Different enough, that is, to warrant a second for proper investigation.

Klobasarna

If ever you thought Germany was a little sausage obsessed, Klobasarna is proof that their not alone. Right next door to Gostilna Sokol, Klobasarna lives and breathes the Carniolan sausage.

Originating in the early 19th century, when Slovenia was under Habsburg control, Carniola was a region of Austro-Hungary. When Slovenia gained independence, the new country’s borders encompassed the old Carniolan region and, for a while, the term Slovenian and Carniolan was used interchangeably. The recipe most commonly followed dates back to 1858 when it first appeared in a cookbook by Katharina Prato. All that in mind, it wouldn’t seem right to visit Slovenia without trying some for yourself. When the time comes, Klobasarna is the best restaurant in Ljubljana to do so.

If you’re not swayed by the sausage, their small but perfectly formed menu includes a handful of other Slovenian delicacies too. There’s soup, something you’ll find in pretty much every restaurant here, and of course, soup with sausage. I also love the rolled cheese pastries at Klobasarna (you’ll want to order a few).

Moji Struklji

When you’re looking for a quick lunch to-go, Moji Struklji is one of the best restaurants in Ljubljana where fast-food doesn’t mean low quality. Slovenia’s very own dumpling house, they have four locations across the city. Their original, and largest, shop is right in the heart of the Old Town.

Dumplings may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about traditional Slovenian food, but they’re surprisingly popular. Moji Struklji dish up savory cottage cheese and tarragon pastries alongside sweet fruit dumplings. If you only try one, though, make it the Ljubljana dumpling. It comes filled with candied orange pieces and doused in apricot jam. When you don’t fancy dumplings, they also offer a range of hearty, homemade stews and, of course, soups.

Julija

One street back from the Ljubljanica River as it flows through the Old Town, Julija might just be my favorite of all the best restaurants in Ljubljana. As much as food is a big part of dining when traveling, I often think the location and experience are the most memorable aspects. For me, Julija ticks all the boxes.

Offering a modern take on Slovenian classics, at odds with most of the best restaurants in Ljubljana’s Old Town which, in no bad way, capitalize on tradition, Julija feels more like a chic Parisian bistro. The menu evolves with the seasons, and even with that, features a host of daily specials to make the most of fresh, seasonal produce.

Although you’ll find plenty of meat on the menu, another of Julija’s differences is an abundance of vegetarian and fish dishes. Kick off with prawns with grilled porcini before tucking into one of their delicious pasta dishes or a fillet of fresh fish from the Adriatic.

Restaurant Strelec

One of the quirkiest best restaurants in Ljubljana, Strelec is situated within Ljubljana Castle itself. Housed in Archer’s Tower, Strelec comes recommended by Michelin and Gault-Millau. By no means a spot for a cheap dinner, if you’re looking for a romantic, gourmet experience, this is the place to find it.

With a menu curated by award-winning chef Igor Jagodic, the only choice you have to make when dining at Strelec is how many courses you can manage. For the full experience, go for their nine-course tasting menu. The dishes change with the season, but you can always expect a good balance of meat, fish and vegetarian servings. The Slovenian wine pairing is well worth forking out for.

The Best International Restaurants in Ljubljana

Pikasta

A recent addition to the dining scene in Slovenia’s capital, Pikasta has fast established itself as one of the best restaurants in Ljubljana. In my opinion, this restaurant wins for being a simple, yet top notch pizzeria right in the heart of the Old Town, Pikasta is perfect for a relaxed, budget-friendly dinner.

Alongside their made-to-order pizzas, Pikasta serve a range of Italian favorites. Expect pasta dishes, antipasti plates, steaks and grilled fish. As with any Italian worth its salt, the desserts are showstoppers. Their tiramisu is almost guilt-free.

Raw Pasta

Part delicatessen, part restaurant, Raw Pasta describes itself as a fresh pasta bar, but the reality is, it’s much more than that. Given its proximity to the Italian border, it should come as no surprises that many of the best restaurants in Ljubljana showcase fantastic Italian food. Raw Pasta does exactly that, but it goes a step further. All their pasta and sauces are made fresh on the premises, and if you like what you taste (which I guarantee you will), you can buy the ingredients to recreate the experience when you get home.

The pasta menu features spaghetti, macaroni, casarecci and paccheri along with a gluten free fusilli. The real highlight, though, is their lasagne which comes in the classic Bolognese style, or with a vegetarian alternative. Both feature five layers of pasta doused in bechamel and topped with mozzarella and parmesan.

Good Morning Vietnam

There may be less than 500 permanent Vietnamese residents in the whole of Slovenia, but that’s clearly no reason for one of the best restaurants in Ljubljana not to celebrate one of Southeast Asia’s finest cuisines. Well hidden on the ground floor of the national bank on a street most tourists would only find by accident, Good Morning Vietnam has earnt itself a loyal following. Unlike its namesake, Robin Williams can claim no credit for this.

The atmosphere is relaxed, the service is friendly and, most importantly, the food is authentic, affordable and delicious. Their pho is the showstopper, but the curry soup, spring rolls and fried rice all deserve a mention. For a traditional Vietnamese drink to wash it all down with, try their cay served in ornate cups or the Saigon beer.

Zaika

Across the iconic Dragon Bridge from the Old Town, Zaika, by its own admission, serves the best Indian food in Ljubljana. Admittedly, I can’t claim to have tried every one of their competitors, I would confidently wager that their claim is pretty accurate.

Unusually for Indian restaurants, Zaika’s menu isn’t massive. Their approach to dining is very much quality over quantity, which is what earns Zaika a place as one of the best restaurants in Ljubljana. The menu is split into chicken, vegetarian, and vegan dishes and features worldwide favorites. Expect Butter Chicken (makhani), biriyani and aloo gobhi alongside British-inspired balti and tikka masala dishes.

Their house specialty is the zrap, Zaika’s take on a naan wrap. These come stuffed to the seams with either chicken and paneer. If you’re going for a curry, it’s well worth trying their turmeric and lemon infused rice as a change from the usual pilau.

Hood Burger

Ljubljana’s top local burger joint has five branches across the city. If you’re exploring Ljubljana’s must-see attractions, their Center location is, as the name suggests, the most central. Hood Burger is Slovenia’s take on a premium burger spot. In burger terms, it’s more Shake Shack than Golden Arches.

Maybe that’s not doing Hood justice. Unlike the big names with a global presence, all their meat is sourced from Slovenian farms. Their potatoes, too, are locally grown, then soaked for a minimum of 24 hours to remove excess starch before being served skin-on.

If you fancy trying the original which made Hood Burger one of the best restaurants in Ljubljana, their namesake Hood Burger is the one to choose. It comes with smoked cheese and caramalized onions, all doused in Hood’s special house sauce. There’s plenty of vegan-friendly choices on the menu, plus steak rolls and chicken tenders.

Planning a post-dinner drink? Don’t miss our ultimate guide to the best of Ljubljana’s nightlife. And for those of you are foodies, you’ll want to ensure you are ticking off our Travel Insighter bucket list of traditional Slovenian food.

Heading beyond Ljubljana? We have prepared the ultimate 5 day Slovenia itinerary (naturally, with Lake Bled as the star attraction).

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