Enjoy Food In Ljubljana :
Ljubljana is a small and cozy town with a huge number of monuments. Beautiful bridges crossing the Ljubljanica River, Art Nouveau buildings fascinate and make you admire the capital of Slovenia. The city lives in a leisurely and relaxed rhythm, it is not customary to rush here. However, the capital is often called an “undiscovered pearl” due to the fact that, compared to other European cities, Ljubljana is not very popular among tourists. A trip to the heart of Slovenia is a great opportunity to combine a beach holiday on the Adriatic coast or active sports with an extensive cultural program. Judge for yourself: the nearest beaches and ski resorts are located 50-70 km from the capital. Our article is dedicated to one important attraction of the city, without which it is impossible to get a complete impression of Slovenia. We will tell you what to try in Ljubljana from food, as well as how much food costs in cafes, restaurants and shops.
What to try in Ljubljana:
Simple and hearty traditional Slovenian cuisine has developed harmoniously under the influence of the culinary traditions of neighboring countries. Slovenian dishes clearly show Hungarian, Austrian, Italian and Slavic influences, but local chefs have managed to create their own unique recipes. The country’s national food is a variety of soups, meat dishes, cottage cheese and pasta.
Let’s briefly list what you need to try in Ljubljana first:
Gobova juha – a soup made from porcini mushrooms with vegetables, cream and cheese. It is often served not in a plate, but in rye bread.
Jota juha – bean soup with sauerkraut and vegetables.
Vipavska jota – sauerkraut soup.
Kranjska sausage – the most popular smoked sausage in Slovenia.
Prata – pork roll. Tender, juicy and aromatic, with a “surprise” inside: boiled eggs are wrapped in minced meat, and then the dish is baked.
Prshut – is a pork ham prepared in a special way. According to an old recipe, the salted meat was not smoked, but dried in the cold mountain winds.
Štrukli – are a kind of dumplings made from buckwheat flour. The filling can be meat, curd, or bean.
Bakala – is a pate made from salted fish. As a rule, cod is salted, separated from the bones and ground into a homogeneous mass, mixed with olive oil.
Chompé – an skuta is a potato boiled in its skin with cottage cheese. The Chompárska Noch festival is dedicated to this simple dish.
Prekmurska gibanica – is a dessert made from the most delicate dough, poppy seeds, apples and cottage cheese.
Kremna rezina – is an airy dessert made from puff pastry with two types of cream.
The most popular drinks are coffee and tea. Ljubljana residents prefer strong and sweet black coffee, but tea is usually brewed from meadow herbs or fruits. Don’t miss the opportunity to try the local liqueur “Pleterška hruška”, which is prepared by monks according to an old recipe. The specialty of the liqueur is that the pears are grown in bottles and then filled with brandy.
Prices in cafes and restaurants:
Every year, more and more tourists choose to vacation in small, cozy Slovenia. In addition to the sea, mountains and attractions, the country has moderate prices. Of course, living in the capital is more expensive than in provincial towns. On average, prices in cafes and restaurants are lower than in Germany and Austria, but higher than in Serbia and Montenegro.
So, what is the cost of food in Ljubljana per person?
- breakfast – from 5 euros;
- a hearty lunch with a glass of beer or wine – 8-10 euros;
- dinner in a good restaurant – from 30-40 euros;
- local fruits in season – from 2 euros per kg;
- ice cream – from 1 euro;
- coffee – 1-2 euros.
Eating in cafes for locals, you can save on food, since prices in Ljubljana for tourists are inflated.
Prices in cafes and restaurants in Ljubljana 2023:
In this section, we will study the prices in Ljubljana establishments in more detail. As an example, we will consider several menus taken from the websites of cafes and restaurants of different price categories. We suggest starting our review with the most fashionable establishments.
How much does lunch cost in one of the most expensive establishments:
- five-course tasting menu – 57 euros;
- seven-course tasting menu – 73 euros;
- nine-course tasting menu – 87 euros.
Drinks from the tasting wine list are paid separately, it will cost from 34 to 56 euros, depending on the number of drinks. Prices in Ljubljana restaurants located in busy tourist areas are approximately as follows:
- gobova juha – 6.5 euros;
- porcini mushroom carpaccio – 8.9 euros;
- marinated sardines – 7.9 euros;
- Adriatic tuna with vegetables – 10.9 euros;
- chicken pate with truffle and pear – 8 euros;
- homemade pasta with truffles – 10.9 euros;
- cuttlefish risotto – 11.9 euros;
- octopus with potatoes and vegetables – 21 euros;
- veal baked with vegetables – 21 euros;
- black ravioli – 18 euros;
- hazelnut mousse – 5.9 euros;
- curd strudel – 7 euros.
If you move away from the noisy streets deep into residential areas, you will certainly find a cafe where city dwellers prefer to eat. As a rule, the menu in such establishments is presented only in Slovenian, and the interior design does not impress with its original design. However, here you can try dishes of national cuisine relatively inexpensively, have a hearty meal and not overpay.
For example, here are the prices in Ljubljana cafes for locals:
- vegetable stew with veal – 5.5 euros;
- roasted veal with mashed potatoes, pickled onions and parsnips – 7 euros;
- falafel with hummus and salad – 7 euros;
- salad with parmesan – 6.5 euros;
- salad with smoked salmon – 7 euros;
- Kranjska sausage – 3.5 euros;
- juice, tea – 1 euro.
At lunchtime, pay attention to the special offers. Many cafes and restaurants in Ljubljana offer a set lunch. For 10-12 euros you will be served soup, main course, salad and a drink.
Street food and fast food:
Walking and excursions are an integral part of a holiday, and they are much more fun after a hearty snack. Slovenians have a proverb about this: “An empty bag will not stand still.” If you do not have time for a full lunch in a restaurant, you can always buy something on the street. Street food in Ljubljana is pastries, hot dogs, shawarma, sweets, which are sold in numerous stalls, shops, bakeries. Be sure to try Slovenian fast food, such as bureks or ćevapčići. Bureks are pies with various fillings. The dish came to Slovenia from Turkey and gained immense popularity. These delicious pies are sold in stalls and pastry shops. The price of a burek, depending on the filling, is about 2-3 euros. ćevapčići is another famous dish of Slovenian street cuisine. It is a type of kebab: small sausages or minced meat cutlets fried on a grill. Čevapčići are served with a side dish of potatoes and vegetables or prepared as a hamburger. A portion costs 5-6 euros. Italian pizza is highly respected in Ljubljana, which is sold whole or by the slice. The price of a slice is from 1 euro, and a whole large pizza is from 6 euros.
Also sold on the streets:
- hot dogs – from 3 euros;
- shawarma – 3-4 euros;
- ice cream, boiled corn, drinks – from 1 euro.
The capital of Slovenia often hosts gastronomic festivals. One of the most popular is “Open Kitchen”. It takes place in the warm season on Fridays on Pogačar Square, next to the market. Vans come to the embankment, the owners set up tables and benches, prepare and offer street food to visitors of improvised cafes. Here you can appreciate the taste of fast food from all over the world. Seafood is the most popular: squid, mussels and small sardines, fried on the grill.
Prices for dishes are average European:
- grilled squid – 3.5 euros;
- fried sardines – 3.8 euros; fried salmon fillet – 7 euros; fried tuna – 7.5 euros;
- baked sea bass – 7.5 euros;
- seafood salad – 5 euros;
- French fries – 2.5 euros;
- drinks – 1-2 euros.
Fast food chain restaurants also welcome guests in Ljubljana. For example, here are some prices for products at McDonald’s:
- “Mc Chicken” – 2.9 euros;
- “McFish” – 2.7 euros;
- “Big Mac” – 3 euros;
- “McChicken Menu” – 6.8 euros;
- “Double Cheeseburger Menu” – 5.6 euros.
Grocery Prices in Ljubljana:
In order to plan a travel budget and roughly calculate expenses, many would be interested to know what food prices are in Ljubljana. We will try to answer this question in detail. Slovenia is a country with average prices. Grocery prices in Ljubljana vary depending on the retail chains and the location of stores relative to tourist areas. There are many supermarkets in the city, which are gradually replacing small private shops. Supermarkets hold daily promotions, which allows you to buy goods with a discount of 10-40%. As a rule, city residents apply for special customer cards, which provide discounts, bonuses and other special offers.
Products labeled “bio” are incredibly popular among healthy eating enthusiasts. They are sold in specialized shops and supermarkets. Their prices are significantly higher than those of regular products.
Supermarkets, shops, markets:
Shops, markets and supermarkets of the capital of Slovenia attract tourists with a wide selection of goods and quite affordable prices. Seasonal sales are held twice a year. As a rule, summer sales start on the second Monday of June, and winter sales start on the second Monday of January. Advertising brochures indicate that sales last for two weeks, but promotions and discounts on some goods can last for another month. Locals prefer to shop in large shopping centers and hypermarkets. The most popular stores are Lidl, Spar, Hofer, Mercator.
Please note that many shops in Ljubljana are open until 20:30.
The main city market of Ljubljana is one of the attractions of the capital. The building was built according to the design of the Slovenian architect and urban planner Jože Plečnik. The market is located on the Ljubljanica embankment, next to other outstanding attractions. Thus, walking along the city embankment, you will certainly see it. In addition to the usual products, souvenirs and local delicacies are sold here: honey, cheeses, truffle sauce, bear or venison sausages. Opening hours: from 9:00 to 16:00, closed on Sundays.
You can buy and try fresh seafood in Ljubljana at the fish market. It is very easy to find – it is located in the pavilion of the indoor market. Prices for fish and seafood are quite high, but the range is not very wide. For example, trout, sardines, dorado, shrimp, squid, octopus and mussels are sold here.
Meals in Ljubljana hotels:
There are many comfortable and modern hotels in the capital of Slovenia. The price of accommodation usually includes breakfast. Some hotels can offer “half board”, but the “all inclusive” concept is not practiced in local hotels. All hotels are characterized by a traditional classification – from one to five stars. As a rule, hotels have restaurants or canteens where you can always have a tasty meal by ordering dishes from the menu. The food in Ljubljana hotels is tasty and high-quality, but when calculating your travel budget, you should take into account the fact that you will most likely eat in cafes and restaurants in Ljubljana or cook your own food.
For breakfast, hotels often offer simple European dishes: sandwiches, muesli, omelettes, pastries, drinks. Of course, the variety of dishes depends on the star rating. Travelers who prefer a budget vacation should pay attention to local hostels, which are rightfully considered some of the best in Europe. Usually, meals are not provided in hostels, but there are specially equipped kitchens where you can cook for yourself.
Baby food in Ljubljana:
When going on vacation, parents are interested in the question of how to organize baby food in Ljubljana. We hasten to assure you: there is no reason to worry. Slovenian national cuisine offers dishes that are perfect for little gourmets. There are not many products among the ingredients that are not recommended for young tourists. But the menus of cafes and restaurants offer many tasty and healthy dishes: soups, stewed meat, vegetables. Try offering a salad of young dandelions, Slovenian dumplings štrukli, chompe. Do not forget to specify that hot spices or seasonings are not added to the dishes. During excursions and walks, Slovenian fast food will help to satisfy hunger. Local street food is familiar to everyone: children enjoy pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches and pastries.
An alternative food option is self-cooking. This is especially relevant if you are traveling with tourists who are just mastering complementary feeding. In this case, do not forget to pack a blender in your luggage. In many supermarkets and pharmacies, you will find a familiar assortment of baby food and milk formulas. You should stock up a little for the first time, and then buy more as needed.
Tips for parents:
The capital of Slovenia will certainly give you wonderful impressions, and to make your vacation more comfortable, we have prepared some tips:
Ljubljana Card is a tourist card that can be purchased for the duration of your stay in the city. The price includes visiting about 20 attractions, a river excursion on a pleasure boat, discounts in some cafes and restaurants, a 4-hour bike rental, and a ride on a funicular. Price: for 24 hours – 31 euros; for 48 hours – 39 euros; for 72 hours – 45 euros.
The capital of Slovenia is proud of the high quality of its tap water. There are drinking fountains throughout the city, and tap water is perfect for cooking.
Tips for service in local cafes and restaurants are at your discretion. However, it is considered good manners to leave a tip of 10% of the order amount.
Dairy products in Ljubljana are of excellent quality, but there are no special children’s curds or cheese curds in the shops.
The best restaurants in Ljubljana:
The capital of Slovenia is famous not only for its history and attractions, but also for its cozy restaurants where you can eat deliciously and have a good time with the whole family. Tourists have a wide choice: from simple family cafes to fashionable establishments. It is not an easy task to name the best restaurants in Ljubljana. We offer a short list of catering establishments that are most often recommended to visit.
- Restavracija Strelec – is a restaurant that has been awarded The Plate Michelin. This means that you will find a wonderful atmosphere and exquisite food made from environmentally friendly products. The chef creates culinary masterpieces from locally produced ingredients.
- Gostilna Sokol – is located in the heart of the capital. The interior is decorated in the style of a tavern, and the walls are decorated with paintings by old masters. The restaurant is rightfully included in the top ten best and most popular establishments in Ljubljana. Visitors note the impeccable service, delicious traditional dishes and reasonable prices.
- Restaracija Most – located on Myasni Most. The menu features national Slovenian dishes, as well as Mediterranean and European cuisine.
- Hot Horse – an establishment for lovers of culinary experiments. The fact is that Hot Horse specializes in cooking horse meat dishes. They prepare the famous “horse burger” and several types of hamburgers.
- AS – a wonderful establishment that will certainly be appreciated by seafood lovers. The interior is decorated in an authentic Slovenian style, creating an atmosphere of warmth and comfort. No one will remain indifferent to such exquisite dishes as sea bass with vegetables, pasta with seafood and tender marinated shrimp.
- Foculus – a popular restaurant of Italian cuisine. The menu features more than 60 types of pizza.