DIANA BANCALE
Founder and author, travel blogger since 2014.
Traditional slovenian food
I have been to Slovenia several times and had the opportunity to try traditional food from different regions of the country. In fact, despite being a small country, the gastronomy is very varied depending on the area you are in.
Slovenian cuisine is influenced by both Mediterranean, Alpine and Balkan influences. I was amazed from my first trip by its authenticity and use of local products.
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In this article I will tell you what are typical dishes to eat in Slovenia in order to taste the best of local gastronomy.
I have divided them into vegetarian dishes, meat dishes, fish dishes, street food, drinks and desserts. Enjoy!
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4 recommended enogastronomic tours in Slovenia
To discover the authentic flavours of Slovenian cuisine, one of the best ways, especially if it’s your first time visiting the country, is to join a gastronomic tour. These experiences allow you to taste local dishes, meet passionate producers, and learn about Slovenia’s rich culinary traditions while exploring its most charming towns and regions.
1. Ljubljana: slovenian cuisine walking tour with tastings
Explore the capital Ljubljana through its culinary heritage. This walking tour covers the old town, stops at local eateries, and includes a variety of traditional Slovenian dishes paired with wine.
2. Ljubljana: Wine tasting experience with appetizers
Wine-tasting session guided by an English-speaking sommelier, featuring seven top Slovenian wines in a historic cellar.
3. Goriška Brda: wine tasting with local snacks
Head to the wine region of Goriška Brda for a 1.5-hour tasting of estate-produced wines (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malvasia, Rebula) paired with local cold cuts and cheeses.
4. Liubljiana: traditional dinner and show
Experience authentic Slovenian hospitality with the traditional slovenian dinner and dhow in Ljubljana. The evening starts with a welcome drink and dried fruit (“šklojce”), followed by a three-course meal featuring hearty local dishes and a glass of wine or juice. As you dine, costumed folk dancers perform regional music.
Vegetarian dishes
Poppy seeds oil
The most used oil in slovenian recipes.
Frika
A simple but very good Slovenian recipe made with potatoes, eggs, butter and cheese (cooked together as a kind of omelet) and usually accompanied by polenta. It is the first slovenian dish I tried during my first trip into the country 🙂
Slovenian local cheese
In such a green and forested country, there is no shortage of pastures and consequently a good production of local cheeses. They are usually accompanied by fine Slovenian honey, and there are several types. I recommend trying tolminc, a semi-hard cheese from the Soca (Soča) valley; mohant, with an intense flavor; and bovški sir, a tasty goat cheese.
Slovenian honey
Another top product to eat in Slovenia (and also to take home as a souvenir) is Slovenian honey. There are 3 different kind of honey: honey from the Kocevje forest, honey from the Kras region, and Slovenian honey. I have it at home right now (bought during my last 5-day tour of Slovenia) and I eat it with cheese or inside the yogurt.
Polenta
As in many parts of northern Italy, polenta is widely used in Slovenia as a side dish or main course. Made from corn or barley flour, it is one of the cornerstone dishes of typical Slovenian cuisine.
Fusi pasta
Typical slovenian food from the area of Istria. They are a kind of pasta made with eggs, flour and salt and are shaped like garganelli. I tried an excellent dish made with fusi with butter and asparagus at a restaurant near Koper.
Eating truffles in Slovenia
The forests of Slovenian Istria are an area very rich in truffles, both white and black. I tried the ones from Di Kappa Tartufi, during a wonderful tasting with products such as truffle cream, with habanero and without and a surprising tuna carpaccio with truffle shavings, parmigiano cheese and arugula. An unusual combination at first glance but actually good!
Belokranjska Pogača
This is a savory flatbread made with flour, water, yeast and salt sprinkled with salt and cumin. Great as appetizer, with main course and with soups.
Kruh
A typical dish of Slovenian cuisine is this whole-wheat bread, prepared in various forms including the braid shape.
Soups
Soups in Slovenia are very popular, especially in winter when temperatures drop. There are different kind of soups: vegetable-only, meat or fish based.
I tasted one thick soup made with wild garlic and another made with wild asparagus. Soups are usually eaten as a starter.
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Meat dishes
Bujta Repa
This is a typical Slovenian meat dish originary from the northeast of the country. Made from pork, it is made by boiling the fatty parts of the pork together with turnip.
Mavželj
Another typical Slovenian pork dish, to be combined with polenta and onions. Typical of Carinthia.
Kranjska klobasa
In Slovenia, in addition to meat, people eat several local sausages, such as Carniolan sausage, smoked and flavored with garlic and pepper.
Prsut
Another popular cold cut in Slovenia is prsut, a cured ham typical of the Karst area and eaten either as an appetizer or during aperitifs or wine tastings.
Idrijski žlikrofi
Ravioli filled with potatoes, bacon, spices and onion, usually accompanied by goulash or another meat sauce.
Jota
One of Slovenia’s most famous traditional dishes is jota, which was born as a poor dish made with leftovers. It is prepared with meat, sauerkraut, potatoes and beans and it’s perfect for colder months.
Gulash
Gulash is actually a typical Hungarian dish but it is also very popular in typical Slovenian cuisine and became part of the best food of Slovenia. It is a stew of meat (beef or wild boar) cooked with carrots, leeks and tomato and often accompanied by polenta.
Eating fish in Slovenia
Although the majority of dishes in Slovenian cuisine are meat products, in coastal regions facing Adriatic sea, you can also taste seafood and fish delicacies.
Here are some of the main ones.
Brodet
This is actually a Croatian recipe but it is also widely eaten in Slovenia. It is a fish soup made with shellfish, garlic and parsley, accompanied by croutons.
Codfish
In the coastal areas of Slovenia, cod is also eaten, prepared in various recipes with polenta and also with truffles.
Soča river Trout
A must-eat dish if you are in the Soča Valley area is trout, either grilled or baked. It is usually cooked simply with garlic and lemon.
Slovenian street food
In addition to typical dishes you can find in restaurant menus, in Slovenia you also will find a lot of street food. Here are some street foods to try in the country.
Kranjska Klobasa
Pork sausage with garlic and spices, usually served with bread, cheese and chips.
Burek
Savory filo pastry pie filled with meat and cheese or even just cheese (I love it). It is a typical dish of Balkan cuisine and is very similar to Greek tiropita.
Cevapcici
Very famous spicy and spicy minced meatballs.
What to eat in Slovenia – desserts
When it comes to desserts, Slovenia has a wide choice. Among the main ingredients of Slovenian desserts are cottage cheese, honey, eggs and flour.
Krofi
Fried doughnuts with a hint of lemon usually filled with jam.
Prekmurska gibanica
Among Slovenia’s most famous desserts, you have to try this cake made with shortcrust pastry, cottage cheese, walnuts and poppy seeds.
Potica
The classic Slovenian holiday dessert, usually prepared for special occasions and festive occasions. The original recipe is a sponge cake roll filled with chocolate, walnuts and orange peel, although there are several regional variations.
Bled cream cake
Rising to the podium of my favorite desserts in life, this cake with cream and mille-feuille typical of Lake Bled is a real treat! The best and original one is made in Park Hotel, right in front of Bled lake!
Drinks and spirits: what to drink in Slovenia
Drinking in company, after dinner or to spend the evening, is a tradition in Slovenia. Here are the most popular drinks you will find in the country.
Grappa
Drunk both as an aperitif and after dinner, Slovenia produces several different grappa. The most famous are the one made with plums and the one with wild blueberries.
Beer
The most loved drink of Slovenia. The most famous is Lasko beer, brewed by the historic brewery in the town of Lasko since 1825.
Slovenian wine
Not everyone knows this, but Slovenia has an abundant and rich production of wines, since the 5th century B.C. Among the wines I got to enjoy, during the stop in Slovenian Istria (western Slovenia part), I really liked Malvasia and Refosco.
Typical Slovenian breakfast
Typical Slovenian breakfast is generally quite light and simple with ingredients such as whole wheat bread, butter, honey, jams, and milk.
How much does it cost to eat in Slovenia?
10 years ago when I first visited Slovenia I remember being surprised at how cheap it was to eat in the country. Clearly, as all over Europe, prices have changed and you can hardly find the convenience of years ago. However, it depends on the type of restaurant you choose (trattoria, international restaurant, fast food), what you want to eat, and where you are (Ljubljana is more expensive than rural areas, for example).
In general, a dinner in a mid-range restaurant for 2 people can cost about 50 euros, with 3 courses.
TIP: Restaurant Week
Twice a year (Spring and Fall) Slovenia holds “Restaurant Week,” a 10-day event during which some of the best restaurants offer special menus available at a reduced price. This is also a great opportunity to try restaurants that would perhaps be too expensive at other times.
On Slovenian tourist board website you can find out more about upcoming dates: https://www.slovenia.info/en/stories/restaurant-week-top-cuisine-enjoyed-my-way
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