Where to Eat in Ljubljana, Slovenia: the Best Ljubljana Restaurants (2024)

During my time in Slovenia I was so impressed with the local food and wine. I went in not knowing much about it, but I left a huge fan. Ljubljana restaurants truly offer something for everyone.

Armed with a list of suggestions hand selected by the guide from my walking food tour of Ljubljana, I set out to try as many eateries as I could while in town.

The 8 Best Ljubljana Restaurants

Monstera

Gosposka ulica 9 //+386 40 431 123

Whenever locals found out I was a food writer, they insisted again and again that I try this restaurant.

Monstera has become famous for their creative, innovative dishes. Many predict they will soon earn their first Michelin star.

Rather than a traditional menu, you choose from weekly set lunches or a nightly tasting menu.

ChefBine Volčič focuses on ingredients often overlooked, like bone marrow.

You will definitely need to call ahead for a reservation. The menu changes daily based on what’s fresh and seasonal, so many people find themselves visiting Monstera multiple times during their stay in Ljubljana.

Mesarstvo Krusic

Bezenškova ulica 11 //+386 1 544 61 41

Mesarstvo Krusic is famous for a very Slovenian food — their horse meat. While I was a bit hesitant to try it, I finally decided to give it a go, and everyone told me this restaurant was famous for having the best in town.

I bought a horse burger intending to try a bite or two to be polite (and, of course, get a photo for Instagram). But, to my surprise, I actually liked it. I ate the entire burger!

This isn’t just any burger though — every ingredient is well thought out. The potato milk bun is made with horse fat instead of butter to give it a unique taste. Instead of bacon, the burger is layered with horse ham. The patty is made from local Slovenian horse, and the burger is perfected with fresh vegetables and an in-house sauce.

I was legitimately surprised by how much I enjoyed this burger. I’ll definitely order another when I return.

Altrokè

Stari trg 19 //+386 820 55282

Altroké’s menu may not be extensive, but every dish is perfectly executed.

Famous for their steaks, Altrokè also offers amazing homemade pasta dishes, fresh seafood (including grilled lobster with an herbal foam) and impressive salads.

I was impressed by their charcuterie plates and remarkable wine menu, which includes wine the owner makes himself.

When I found them at Open Kitchen, Ljubljana’s weekly gourmet market, they were selling pasta out of a fresh parmesan bowl.

Bistro

Petkovškovo nabrežje 65 //+386 70 531 653

Bistro may well be the most popular breakfast or brunch spot in all of Ljubljana.

Their menu features classics like eggs Benedict, French toast made from brioche covered in a vanilla sauce, eggs Florentine, and omelettes.

Bistro also offers smoothies, fresh juices and arguably the best coffee in Ljubljana. Call ahead for reservations on the weekends, as that’s when it’s particularly busy.

Luda

Poljanska cesta 11 //+386 51 761 294

I had an incredible five course tasting menu at Luda on one of my last nights in Ljubljana. This is somewhere I definitely recommend, as I enjoyed every dish I tasted, and the wine pairings the staff chose for each dish were phenomenal.

Luda, like so many restaurants in Slovenia, uses seasonal ingredients, so the menu is ever-changing.

Luda also offers a three course tasting menu and vegetarian options. Again, be sure to book in advance.

Argentino

Šmartinska cesta 152 //+386 1 523 36 30

I rarely recommend mall restaurants, but Argentino served me one of the best steaks I’ve had in recent memory. The steak was perfectly cooked, the atmosphere was pleasant and the service was incredible.

If you’re not a fan of red meat, Argentino also specializes in seafood.

Pop’s Place

Cankarjevo nabrežje 3 //+386 590 42856

Handcrafted gourmet burgers and craft beer — need I say more?

Pop’s Place has classic burgers, like the bacon cheese, but also burgers with truffle oil, BBQ burgers, and a veggie burger if you’re not in the mood for meat. Make sure to order a side of herbed Parmesan fries.

Pop’s also offers delectable BBQ’d ribs that customers rave over. They often sell out fast.

Gujzina

Mestni trg 19 //+386 838 06446

Gujzina was my favorite restaurant for trying typical Slovenian dishes. The menu contains selections of freshly baked bread, goulashes, sausages and local 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. With more than 300 labels from around the world, their incredibly knowledgeable staff will help you find a bottle to fit whatever mood you’re in.

You can also purchase wine flights, including one featuring local wines that I tried with a charcuterie platter assembled to accompany my tasting.

Kolibri co*cktail Bar

Židovska steza 2 //+386 31 336 087

Kolibri is the perfect place for pre-dinner co*cktails or a nightcap. Their menu is full of interesting co*cktails the staff are happy to explain. They’ll also create a custom co*cktail for you in the unlikely event that nothing on the menu catches your attention.

The bar is gorgeous. The drinks are unique and delicious, and the staff are friendly and passionate about what they do. Having drinks here is an experience — not just a visit to a bar.

Open Kitchen

Pogačarjev trg square

If you ask me what one thing would have me running back to Ljubljana, I would tell you it’s Open Kitchen.

Every Friday (weather permitting) Slovenia’s best restaurants set up an entire park of gourmet food trucks.

You must be one of the top 100 restaurants in the country to even apply for a stand in the Open Kitchen. Then, once you’re in, no matter how gourmet your cooking, you must develop a concept that works as a high-end food truck dish.

You can find everything here — seafood, whole roasted pigs, horse burgers, international selections, and of course — a selection of local beers and wines to wash it all down.

With so many choices, it was difficult to pick just one. Thankfully, I had a friend with me so we could share. This is a not-to-be-missed stop for any foodies visiting Ljubljana!

While in Ljubljana don’t miss out on activities that will help immerse yourself with the city (hurry while they’re hot!):

• 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

If you enjoyed this post please consider pinning it using the image found below!