June 1, 2020
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after
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Slovenia is a small, south central European nation with lots of neighbors that influence its diverse cuisine. Food in Slovenia is shaped by culinary traditions in Italy, Austria, Hungary and the Balkans. And for centuries, Slovenian cooks have added a distinctive approach to their food that is also uniquely Slovenian.
“Slovenians have ‘borrowed’ the best from their neighbors and made it their own,” writes The Real Word Destination Guide. “Pasta and pastries are reminiscent of Italy, strudels from Austria and carb-heavy stews, potatoes and dumplings taste like the Balkans.”
Slovenian chefs and growers proudly take a farm-to-table approach to gastronomy. Keeping a small vegetable or herb garden is common among Slovenians, even in the city. And a network of independently owned tourist farms, called kmetij Slovenije, produce incredible local meat, dairy and vegetables. A guest stay at a kmetij Slovenije is a great way to try local Slovenian meals made from scratch by your hosts.
The capital Ljubljana and surrounding areas are a foodie paradise. The city’s location in in the middle of Slovenia means easy access to food from the 24 gastronomic regions across the country. Venture a little outside of Ljubljana to Pri Lazarju Farm Stay for great food and a gorgeous, hilltop view of the city and surrounding countryside.
While you’re in Ljubljana, visit the city’s large, covered food markets, the largest of which is Central Market, for baked goods, crafts, fruit, vegetables and Slovenia’s renowned honey. Every Friday from early spring through the end of October, Slovenian chefs descend on Central Market to serve up dishes for Open Kitchen—a celebration of food from Slovenia and around the world. Ljubljana is home to both affordable and michelin star restaurants that embrace Slovenia’s love of fresh, local food.
If you want to try authentic Slovenian food during your trip to Ljubljana, search for establishments with“Gostilna Slovenija” in the description. Some top, reliable choices are Gostilna Gorjanc, Gostilna Sokol and Gostilna na Gradu. Here are some classic dishes that will give you a taste of Ljubljana.
“Slovenian food is heavily focused on staples like meat, humble vegetables like turnips, cabbage, potatoes, and beans, as well as grains, like buckwheat,” writes Will Fly for Food. “It’s also heavily seasonal, with produce like mushrooms, chestnuts, asparagus, and dandelion featuring prominently when they’re in season.”
Did you know that some dishes have a protected status in the European Union? In 2020, Idrijski žlikrofi became the first Slovenian dish to be designated by the European Union as a Traditional Speciality Guaranteed in recognition of its cultural significance.
Idrijski žlikrofi are made from a pasta dough stuffed with a potato filling that is richly seasoned with marjoram and chives, salt and pepper. The dumplings are then molded by hand into a delicate hat shape and then boiled. You can eat them by themselves or lathered in a hearty vegetarian or meat sauce.
Slovenians love their desserts and Potica is one of the most cherished. A rich, leavened dough is rolled out and then wrapped into a neat log shape around a variety of sweetened fillings. Depending on the region, traditional fillings include walnuts, sweetened tarragon, poppy seeds, hazelnuts, raisins and more. Modern interpretations include nutella and coconut fillings. Potica can also be made with savory fillings such as chives or pork cracklings.
This sweet cake is another EU-protected delight. To be authentic, Prekmurska Gibanica cake must have eight layers arranged in the following order — short crust dough base, poppy seeds, cottage cheese, walnuts, and finally, apples. Then get out your pocket ruler; the cake must be a certain height according to EU cultural standards and is as visually appealing as it is delicious.
A savory comfort food, this hearty meat and vegetable stew is prepared according to season, region and what is at hand for the cook. Obara is often combinations of the following — celeriac, leeks, onions, carrots, turnips, beef and chicken. Aromatic thyme, bay leaf and parsley give Obara a deep but bright flavor. The secret to Obara’s richness is patiently sautéing and caramelizing each vegetable, and browning the meat before all is boiled and simmered together to make a golden broth.
Named after the Slovenian region of Kranjska, this traditional smoked sausage also has the honor of EU protection. Kranjska Klobasa must comprise of 75% to 80% pork meat and 20% to 25% cured bacon and is lightly smoked over beech wood. Your plate of Kranjska Klobasa may be served with a side of sauerkraut, or grated horseradish and mustard.
Before you plan your next foodie excursion to Ljubljana, consider purchasing travel insurance to protect your trip. You should know that healthcare facilities abroad may not accept your domestic health insurance. An Allianz Travel Insurance plan with Emergency Medical benefits can help provide reimbursement in the event of a covered medical emergency while traveling. Certain plans also offer benefits that can reimburse certain non-refundable expenses if your trip is canceled or delayed for a covered reason.
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