What to eat in Slovenia: 10 traditional dishes
If you will be coming to Slovenia for the first time, there are a few traditional Slovenian dishes you need to try!
Slovenia may be a small country but each region has its own specific culinary traits and dishes. As a Slovenian myself, I love introducing people to the different traditional Slovenian dishes.
In this guide, I put together 10 typical Slovenian foods that showcase really nicely the unique flavors you will find around the country. Let’s dive in!
1. Ε truklji
Ε truklji is a traditional rolled dumpling that can be served as a sweet or savory dish. It is one of the most traditional Slovenian dishes and you can find it pretty much anywhere.
Ε truklji can be served with many different fillings. The most traditional type is when the dough is filled with cottage cheese and served with a sweet topping made of caramelized sugar (like the piece on the right in the picture above).
I personally like to have Ε truklji as a dessert with a chocolate filling. Fe usually prefers the savory type where Ε truklji is filled with cottage cheese and eaten as a main meal.
Where to eat Ε truklji in Slovenia
You will see that most local restaurants serve ββΕ truklji. In Ljubljana, there is one place dedicated to this dish, it’s called Moji Ε truklji and they serve a lot of different flavors.
If you are up for a little hike, we recommend going to Kofce mountain hut. They are also known around here for their selection of Ε truklji, they usually have a bunch of different flavors available and the hike to the hut is very nice! The picture above was taken there.
2. Kranjska Klobasa
This is another very typical Slovenian dish that you will be able to find almost anywhere in the country. Kranjska Klobasa can be translated to English as “Carniolan sausage“.
As the name suggests, it is a typical sausage originating from the upper carniola region. It is made with selected pork meat and salt, pepper, and garlic.
Kranjska Klobasa is usually served with sauerkraut (sour cabbage) and mustard.
Where to eat Kranjska Klobasa in Ljubljana?
You will be able to try this typical Slovenian dish in almost any local restaurant in Ljubljana, but if there is one place in the city known for this dish, it is Klobasarna. This small restaurant is located in the city center and they are specialized in sausages.
3. Jota
Jota is a typical stew made with sour cabbage and beans. It is usually made in mountain huts and typical Slovenian restaurants. Jota is a dish that can be served vegetarian or with the addition of meat and/or sausage.
This is not a vegan dish because it is usually cooked with pork fat in most cases.
Jota is Fe’s favorite Slovenian food! It is a bit sour and different from most other typical soups and stews.
Where to eat Jota in Slovenia?
The best place to try Jota is on the mountain huts. There are a few restaurants in Ljubljana that serve it, but I personally think they don’t have the same homemade taste that the ones on the huts do.
Whenever you go hiking or traveling through the mountains, make sure you stop at one of the local mountain huts and try this dish!
4. Potica
If I had to name the most traditional Slovenian dessert, it would be Potica.
Potica is a rolled Slovenian cake that can be made with several different fillings. The most traditional type of Potica is served with walnuts, but you can find many different variations.
If you will be spending Christmas time in Slovenia, this is definitely something you need to try! Potica is an essential part of the Christmas table in most Slovenian households.
Where to eat Potica in Ljubljana?
You will see potica on the dessert menu of most Slovenian restaurants in Ljubljana.
However, the one place I recommend buying Potica is this small shop in the city center called Le Potica which specializes in this dish.
5. Prekmurska Gibanica
Another typical Slovenian dessert is called Gibanica, which originates from the Prekmurje region, in the northeast of the country.
Gibanica is a layered cake that typically has 4 different fillings: poppy seeds, cottage cheese, walnuts, and apples.
Where to eat Gibanica in Ljubljana?
There is one restaurant in the center of Ljubljana known for serving Gibanica, it is called GujΕΎina.
However, if you want to try the true Gibanica, you should go to the Prekmurje region.
6. Idrijski ΕΎlikrofi
Traveling to the other side of the country, we have our next typical food from Slovenia called Idrijski ΕΎlikrofi (or “Idrija dumplings” in English).
This dish originates from the town of Idrija. It is a homemade pasta dough normally filled with potatoes. They can be served with different sauces and spices.
Fe really likes when they are served with truffle sauce, but one of the most typical options is for Idrijski ΕΎlikrofi to be served with a meat and vegetable sauce called “bakalca“.
Where to eat Idrijski ΕΎlikrofi in Ljubljana?
I recommend trying Idrijski ΕΎlikrofi in Slovenska HiΕ‘a Figovec, in the center of Ljubljana.
7. KremΕ‘nita
KremΕ‘nita is a typical dessert that consists of a layered cream cake. It is light and delicious, with a crunchy crust on the top.
KremΕ‘nita became famous as the typical dessert of Bled because it was originally invented in that region. If you visit Bled during your trip to Slovenia, you will notice that all restaurants and cafes serve this special dessert.
Read also: What to do in Lake Bled?
Where to eat KremΕ‘nita in Slovenia?
The best KremΕ‘nita you will taste will be in Bled. I personally like the KremΕ‘nita served at Zaka Bar. Another great option is to try it at the Belvedere cafe where you can have the best view of Lake Bled.
8. GolaΕΎ
Very similar to the Hungarian dish “goulash”, the Slovenians have a typical version called GolaΕΎ.
This is a meat stew made with a thick sauce and normally served with bread rolls or potatoes.
Where to eat GolaΕΎ in Ljubljana?
As with many other soups and stews, the best ones are served on the mountain huts around Slovenia.
However, there is one restaurant in Ljubljana that sets itself apart and makes the most delicious GolaΕΎ: Vodnikov Hram. It is very worth the try!
9. Ε½ganci
Ε½ganci is a very typical Slovenian food. It is usually made with buckwheat flour and served with either Ocvirki (which I will explain below) or sour milk.
The easiest way to explain Ε½ganci in my opinion is that it is very similar to a porridge made out of buckwheat. But instead of making it like a liquid porridge, it is often cooked until the buckwheat forms little pieces.
Ε½ganci is a traditional food served in the mountain cottages as well. It is often served as a side dish to Kranjska Klobasa.
10. Ocvirki
Ocvirki is pork crackling made with pork fat and rinds. It is usually served as a side dish or topping. Ε½ganci normally comes with Ocvirki on the top, as you can see in the previous image.
You will find this Slovenian dish in mountain huts and traditional Slovenian restaurants.
One very interesting thing about Slovenia is that you can usually find vending machines on the market that sell typical dishes like Ocvirki and Ε½ganci. These machines are normally filled by local producers, so they are super fresh!
Organizing your trip
To help you plan your trip to Slovenia, we have put together our favorite planning resources:
- Check out our page with curated Slovenia experiences
- Travel insurance: Make sure you are protected during your trip. We use SafetyWing whenever we are traveling abroad.
- Renting a car: We always use Discover Cars to get the best car deals.
- Accommodation: Find the best hotels and apartments on Booking.com.
- Activities: Get fun ideas of what to do and buy unique activities with Get Your Guide.
- SIM Card: Stay connected during your trip with Airalo.
- Slovenia Map: Check out our custom-made Map with 290+ must-see spots!
- Slovenia itineraries: Check out our pre-made Slovenian itineraries!
- Recommended hiking gear: Check our recommendations on Amazon if you will be hiking in Slovenia!
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