Discover Slovenia Through Its Food and People

Slovenia is quickly emerging as a top gastronomic destination, offering a diverse culinary journey that spans Michelin-starred restaurants to traditional food experiences that reflect the country’s rich heritage. Slovenia’s culinary landscape is as varied as its geography, from artisan products crafted in family-run workshops to gourmet dining set in extraordinary locations. Whether cycling through wine regions, attending a chocolate festival, or enjoying meals beneath the stars, Slovenia is a destination for foodies to have on their radar.

Tastes and Settings to Remember

For those seeking a taste of Slovenia’s heritage, the country offers a range of immersive gastronomic experiences. In Pomurje, visitors can explore a family-run oil mill and discover the centuries-old craft of pumpkin seed oil production. Passed down through three generations since 1929, the traditional methods of harvesting, cleaning, and grinding pumpkin seeds have been carefully preserved. Guests will learn about the journey of pumpkins from field to press and sample local dishes enhanced with the rich, nutty flavour of pumpkin seed oil. To complete the experience, they can take part in a hands-on culinary activity, becoming part of the family’s story through the region’s cherished tradition.

The Fonda Fish Garden on the Adriatic coast allows travellers to explore sustainable fish farming while enjoying some of the region's finest seafood. This experience takes place in the southernmost part of the Slovenian coast, at Slovenia’s only fish farm in the protected environment of the Sečovlje Salt Pans Landscape Park. While enjoying this experience, take a bite of raw Fonda sea bass, a pinch of Piran fleur de sel, a splash of Istrian olive oil, along with a glass of Malvasia wine.

Meanwhile, in Bela Krajina, travellers can become a master at making traditional Bela Krajina flatbread through socialising with the local people. As the flatbread is baking, guests can taste the typical wines of the Bela Krajina region and its local delicacies. After this, explore the charming medieval squares of Metlika and get to know the most important buildings in this historic town. When you return, you will taste the flatbread just like the locals. Traditionally, the delicacy is brought to the table while still warm, and eaters break it square by square with their hands

Slovenia also has a range of beautiful restaurant locations. In Velenje, the Underground Dining Adventure takes guests 160 metres beneath the surface for a multi-course meal in a former mining tunnel. In Slovenia’s deepest dining room, Štajger (the mining foreman’s meal) is served while listening to music. For those who prefer to dine high above the ground, why not try dinner in a cable car? After public operational hours, the gondolas of Krvavec are converted into small, hovering restaurants. Patrons can enjoy the panoramic views of alpine surroundings and picturesque valleys, and let the chefs of the well-renowned restaurants Dvor Jezeršek and Krištof pamper your taste buds with their culinary creations of modern Slovenian cuisine and local, green ingredients. 

Vipava Valley Wine Train

Slovenia’s wine-making traditions are centuries old, and its wine regions are among the country’s most celebrated. Wine enthusiasts can embark on a tour of the Vipava Valley aboard a wine train, where local vintners host tastings in a moving carriage through one of Slovenia’s premier wine regions. There is a stop in the town of Ajdovščina, where guests can join a guided walk to the old town. The next stop is in one of the villages, where a guided walk from the station takes travellers to a local winemaker. There, you are treated to tasting local wines and homemade food.

Slovenia’s Chocolate Festival

For those with a sweet tooth, The Radovljica Chocolate Festival in Ljubljana celebrates the country's growing reputation in the world of chocolate. This festival brings together top chocolatiers and food lovers to explore the art of chocolate-making, featuring a wide array of artisanal products, demonstrations, and tastings. It's an event that adds another layer to Slovenia’s evolving gastronomic food scene, attracting chocolate enthusiasts from around the world, and this year it will be taking place on the 12th and 13th April.

From intimate farm-to-table encounters to avant-garde dining concepts, Slovenia continues to position itself as a destination for culinary travel. As the country’s gastronomic scene grows, visitors can look forward to an ever-expanding array of experiences that showcase its food culture, beautiful landscapes, and warm hospitality.

Ends

Editors notes

If you’re looking for that perfect green and safe oasis, you’ve come to the right place. Slovenia is the green heart of Europe, where everyone can find something for themselves. It’s difficult to find such a small region offering so much anywhere else in the world. Four different worlds are combined into a magnificent symphony that can be felt in culture, gastronomy and natural wonders. Whether you enjoy walking well-trodden paths or prefer to turn off the beaten track, you will find stunning beauty and boutique experiences tailored just for you everywhere you go. We are ready to offer you the best we have. With a great deal of responsibility, your visit to Slovenia will be enjoyable and unforgettable.