Food & Drink in Slovenia
Cafes are an integral part of life and sitting outdoors with friends, drinking coffee and watching the world go by is a popular way of spending an evening.
When eating out look out for a gostilna. These are local restaurants serving local food and wine and are found even in small villages. These are frequented by locals more than tourists and will give you a real taste of Slovenia.
Excellent meats and poultry are available, a particular one to watch for being a cured air-dried ham known as Kraški pršut, which is not unlike the Italian Prosciutto. Venison, wild boar and other game frequently appears on menus too.
The coastal regions especially have excellent seafood, including shellfish and the Adriatic bluefish. Elsewhere the tradition of slaughtering a pig for special occasions has not completely died out, and its influence is seen in the number of offal type dishes available!
When it comes to dessert, the influence of neighbouring Austria is clear and there are wonderful cakes, pastries, chocolates and other yummy items in both restaurants and stores.
Bread has a central place in Slovenian culture with each region having its own specialities and special breads regularly baked on holiday occasions. Dumplings or štruklji filled with meat, vegetables or even sweet fillings are widely served and delicious. A type of Polenta, known as žganci is also popular.
Beer, Wine & Spirits
The most popular beers are Laško and Union but look out for beers produced in small local breweries, such as Adam Ravbar.
Slovenian wine will be a very pleasant surprise to many visitors, especially those who have tasted it abroad and not been impressed - Slovenians really do keep the best wine for themselves!