The best restaurants Ljubljana

It's the place to be for breakfast lovers and brunch addicts alike. Eggs in all shapes and sizes: scrambled, Florentine, Benedict, soft-boiled... But also brioches, croissants, bowls of granola, avocado toast, salmon toast, crêpes... Complete the menu with freshly squeezed juices or hot drinks. The entire menu is dedicated to the most important meal of the day! We recommend the Ek Plate for €16.90, which offers a sweet and savory mix for those who can't bring themselves to choose.

He looks like a French café, this Petit Café! It must be said that it is located on the Place de la Révolution Française, and this is anything but a coincidence. Inside, French dishes such as croque-monsieur or croque-madame, or several appetizing examples of hexagonal pastries will satisfy the taste buds of early nostalgics of our national gastronomy. The decoration, with its somewhat old-fashioned charm, pays homage to our beautiful language on all its walls. The owners are not French-speaking and are simply lovers of France.

The restaurant is named after Janez Vajkard Valvasor - a member of the royal family, writer, geophysicist and pioneer in the study of karst phenomena - born at No. 4 opposite the restaurant. A place with a modern décor and a restaurant which, since its opening in 2008, has managed to make a name for itself on the Slovenian culinary scene. It must be said that the menus - land and sea - make you salivate with specialities such as beef filet mignon with pepper sauce or freshly caught tuna with a mandarin orange mousse.

At Barbarella, we promote a cuisine focused on health, beauty and well-being, using high-quality plant-based ingredients. You will find nutritious vegan dishes or even gluten-free dishes. Every day there is an offer of sandwiches, savory pies, creative and colorful soups, buddha bowls and healthy desserts. You can complete your meal with a cold-pressed juice or a smoothie, all in environmentally responsible packaging. Here we are offered a philosophy of life far from sugar and industrial food products.

Cubo is renowned for its high standards of cuisine and table service. It attracts the crème de la crème, including the country's most important personalities. The staff are irreproachable and professional, with a perfect knowledge of the menu and possible food and wine pairings. Prices are rather high for meat, fish and risotto dishes. In 2024, the establishment received a surprise visit from Keanu Reeves, the famous actor from the Matrix saga. It's not a budget-friendly place, but the quality of the service is well worth the detour.

Situated in the oldest house in the city, dating back to 1528, with beautiful vaulted ceilings and a privileged position on the banks of the river Ljubljanica, this popular restaurant offers visitors a varied menu featuring traditional Slovenian dishes as well as everything you could wish for: steaks, pizzas, salads and desserts as well as a selection of quality Slovenian wines. Tasty and popular local cuisine. Its major asset remains its terrace, which offers an appreciable view of the city's hustle and bustle.

In an intimate atmosphere, yet not far from the banks of the Ljubljanica River, is the oldest Indian restaurant in the capital. The chef offers specialities from all over the country-continent, including delicious soups and sophisticated dishes inspired by the street food on offer in Mumbai. Spices are used wisely. The service is impeccable and the prices very reasonable. A good address to take a break - no less invigorating - in the Balkan kitchen!

From the twentieth floor of the InterContinental Hotel, which opened in 2017, the view of Ljubljana is breathtaking. And in restaurant B, which overlooks the capital, the dishes are no less surprising. Prepared by the new local chef Komnen Bakić under the supervision of the famous Alfredo Russo, the new map is intended to be emblematic of Slovenia's plural influences: Italian, Austrian and Yugoslavian. This gastronomic inspiration can be found in gourmet and more Balkan dishes such as grilled red mullet with corn and seasonal mushrooms.

A sure bet and a favorite, this restaurant boasts a long tradition dating back to 1854. City dwellers love it, so much so that it's hard to get in without a reservation. Service is old-fashioned and elegant, with white tablecloths and silverware in the evening. The cuisine is contemporary, mainly international, with a few nods to Slovenian terroir. Here, even a simple soup will astonish you, so perfectly are the flavors and textures mastered.

Altrokè is an ode to Istria and its Mediterranean cuisine. It is the beautiful part of the products of the Karst with a string of cold cuts, fresh cheeses, rich and tasty olive oils as well as a very beautiful development of the fish in carpaccio or snacked for the tuna steak. The atmosphere, cosy and warm, is accentuated all the more thanks to a meticulous selection of wines to accompany for example one of the tasting menus. Dishes are available in small sizes on request for those who want to try everything!

More or less a Thai canteen with large tables usually taken over by the students of Ljubljana. Indeed, it is one of the best places in town because the kosilo is very attractive in terms of quality/price ratio. Every day there is a selection of woks, curries and other Asian specialties as well as starters and desserts at much lower prices than in the evening. The most difficult thing will be to get a place to try their delicious gyozas and vegetable spring rolls. Wide choice for vegetarians.

The concept: different types of modern Asian cuisine offering dim-sum, sushi, filled steamed buns, Korean bibimbap or stir-fried noodles. The wait is rather long, especially for the sushi, maki and other Japanese delights, which are prepared fresh. But the quality is there for a reasonable price. The place is quite small, but it's possible to take away and why not settle down in the peace and quiet of Tivoli Park. For tea lovers, they also offer Bubble Tea and a wide selection of teas in general.

"The Slovenian House" by its name promises you only Slovenian products on the menu. You can have a typical breakfast in the morning. For drinks, you can find Slovenian gins like Monologue or Gini Bee, local beers and ciders, as well as homemade herbal teas with honey. In the afternoon, you can taste the Kranj sausage or choose the cheese or the local cold cuts that you want to eat. The list of desserts includes such must-haves as gibanica and štruklji. Highly recommended!

Due to its location, in the famous Archers' Tower of the no less famous Ljubljana Castle, this restaurant is already a must-see. Add to this a splendid view of the city below from the panoramic terrace, a perfect mastery of the balance of the dishes concocted by the promising chef Igor Jagodic - including a technical and imaginative cuisine with appetizers and sweets -, a wine list well adapted to the size of the place, and you simply have one of the best restaurants in the country.

A trendy address in the student district of the capital. This establishment, with its well-kept dining room, offers a selection of sophisticated burgers, with beef, of course, but also pork or chicken. The emphasis is on the local origin of meats and ingredients à la carte. The side dishes are varied and of good quality: homemade fries and a well seasoned salad in addition. The welcome is friendly, it is better to arrive early to find a free place for lunch. However, it is regrettable that there is no dessert proposal.

The aim of this small restaurant is to revisit traditional Slovenian cuisine with a modern touch that makes all the difference. In a wooded and contemporary decor, a visual and gustatory harmony reigns quite intense. The chef Izidor Kržišnik masters his subject very well: his pasta stuffed with Tolmin cheese is a little wonder. A piece of advice, try to taste everything you want, or come back a second time! The menu is 100% local, but there is a wide variety of choices on the menu.

First, we will have to ignore the situation of this restaurant. Indeed, it is nestled in the middle of a dated and frankly poorly designed shopping centre. Beyond this slightly regrettable aspect, the restaurant offers a wealth of healty food dishes in a warm room. On the plate, the vegetable is king under unusual and seductive variations. The prices are particularly attractive: count between 6 and 8 € for a hearty dish of seasonal vegetables, the presentation is so unscheduled.

Just a stone's throw from the Opera House, this intimate, cosy restaurant boasts a summer terrace. The menu features refined seafood dishes such as scallops on a bed of spicy carrot, fish ceviche, Wellington salmon or poached sea bass with beurre blanc sauce. Prices are extremely affordable, with attentive service and a fine wine list by the glass. A few nuggets are aimed at carnivores, such as the excellent beef tartare and the low-temperature beef cheek. The perfect address for escaping the tourist traps!

This little French bistro is a Michelin-starred nugget. The concept: an XS menu with small and large plates to encourage conviviality and sharing. Each dish is an explosion of flavors thanks to the chef's inventive cuisine, resolutely cosmopolitan and exotic! Signature cocktails and a non-exhaustive selection of wines by the glass. The staff are entirely dedicated to the experience and generously offer their advice. Excellent value for money. One of the hottest addresses where reservations are essential!

The place boasts a lovely summer terrace overlooking the pedestrian street, far enough away from the hypercentre to enjoy your meal in peace and quiet. The quality of the pizzas here is unquestionable, with perfectly aligned prices and innovative recipes such as the carbonara pizza, the truffle pizza or the ribja pizza with shrimp and white fish and squid ink dough. Other dishes are also on the menu at higher prices, including a particularly tasty variety of pork, the mangalica.

One of the capital's trendiest spots. Here, it's all about the chef's creativity. A handful of starters, main courses and desserts on the menu, all with the same particularity: a touch of pep thanks to flavors inspired by other continents. This is truly a culinary experience, and you'll be hard-pressed to choose. There's also a menu that revolutionizes the traditional brunch with shakshuka, or a waffle with duck effiloché, mustard and honey. Get ready for a tough choice!

JAZ doesn't follow the rules of gastronomy; on the contrary, you're encouraged to share food and plates with each other at the table. The culinary creativity of talented chef Ana Roš can be found here, just as at Hiša Franko, a 3-Michelin-starred restaurant located in the beautiful Soča Valley. JAZ's cuisine is based on local produce and light flavors. Dishes are simpler and follow the seasons. The elegance and seriousness of gastronomy are maintained, but with a more relaxed touch.

Directly inspired by a Slovenian comedy released in 2015, Šiška Deluxe, this bar-pizzeria offers a wide selection of pizzas and finger food to share, as well as cocktails, local beers, wine by the glass... Here locals and hotel guests mingle in an ultra-cool atmosphere thanks to the industrial furniture, neon light effects, various Friends-style sofas, and above all the concerts and DJ sets, all in a huge space reminiscent of American lofts. We also appreciate the relaxed atmosphere and free parking.

A small world of elegance and refinement on the outskirts of the capital. Magnet, as its name suggests, draws you in with its fine cuisine and meticulous presentation. The choice of tableware reflects the resolutely chic, modern decor of the premises. The bistro feel allows you to choose dishes to satisfy a small appetite in all modesty, but always with a maximum of flavor and quality products. Beef tartare, Bao-buns, and the brunch menu are all on offer, and well worth a visit! For cocktail lovers, the barman will dazzle you!

Located on the outskirts of Ljubljana, in a small shopping area with easy parking, the Cool House restaurant lives up to its name: a cool, casual place to eat. The large, industrial-style room is very modern, and the menu is just as hip. Pinsa, juicy burgers, beef tagliata, pad thai... There's something for everyone, which is handy when you don't have time to venture downtown. The establishment also offers a wide choice of breakfast formulas.

Tavarneta specializes in two things: the world of wine and seafood. If you're a fan of both, this is the place for you! The menu is tiny, with an assortment of hot and cold starters and three to four main courses. You'll find oysters, scallops, langoustine, lobster, various fish tartars... Products of exceptional quality and freshness, echoing the very thorough selection of wines, including a few local references.

This funky, trendy noodle bar is the ideal place for a quick but tasty lunch break. Available for vegetarians and carnivores at reasonable prices (around €15). The noodles are homemade and served in bowls. Clearly Japanese flavors, with the use of walnuts, sesame, teriyaki sauce, wasabi, Sichuan pepper, kimchi... Far from the cheap image of Asian dishes, a real refinement in flavors and presentation, and the desserts are not to be outdone, a real effort here too!

Italian restaurant in the heart of Ljubljana run by Italians. Stefano Rado, one of the owners, after falling in love with the capital during a visit, decided to open his third restaurant here and work there. Thus, with his thirty years of experience, he passes on his knowledge to his pizzaioli and chefs to prepare delicious Italian pizzas, gourmet and rigorously al dente pasta and tasty and colourful salads. The desserts are wonderful too. Many gluten-free solutions. Vegetarians and vegans are welcome.

Probably the best vegan address in the capital. This little bistro, tucked away in a central alleyway, offers lunchtime formulas at unbeatable prices. The menu changes daily and can be consulted online. Portions are delicate and elegantly presented. The freshness of the ingredients and the diversity of flavors are not limited by the absence of meat or fish. Even non-vegans will be surprised by the creativity of the dishes, and the result is a new craze for this type of cuisine!

Chef Jorg Zupan opened the doors of his second establishment in June 2021, a bistro with a concise and inventive menu, where all budgets will be able to enjoy the know-how of a Michelin star. Professional service with a touch of humor and a well-stocked wine list to complement onion soup au gratin, beef tartar with radish and parmesan, or veal cheek extra tender in sauce with creamy štrukelj. It's the combination of local and seasonal products from the Slovenian soil with a modern twist; it works and we leave delighted!

Tabar is an institution in Ljubljana, the very essence of city life. The hustle and bustle of conversation and laughter among friends, sharing a good bottle of wine and not daring to take the last bite from the many plates in the center of the table. A culinary experience that's meant to be shared and enjoyed. For one evening, you're the Master Chef jury, and the portions arrive on the table, colorful, elegant and delicate. We taste everything and exchange our impressions, making this an unforgettable moment.