The European country of Slovenia once again recorded a remarkable success in the area of its national gastronomy. The Michelin guide for Slovenia this year lists 63 restaurants, four more than last year. Hiša Franko, with Chef Ana Roš, shines with three stars and also retains its Green Star, making it one of only 145 three-star restaurants in the world, and just one of just 33 restaurants in the world to be awarded both three Michelin stars and a Green Star.

Restaurant Milka, with Chef David Žefran, was again awarded two stars by Michelin judges, while eight other restaurants have one star, including newcomer Restaurant Pavus.

© Slovenian Tourist Board

With high per capita Michelin star ratings, Slovenia is truly among Europe’s gastronomic superpowers. Other Michelin categories are also piling up and are equally as impressive, including five new restaurants awarded Bib Gourmand for their excellent value for money, and eight eateries who earned a Green Star for sustainability, making Slovenia the No. 1 European country in terms of the number of Michelin Green Stars per capita.

“In every corner of Slovenia, visitors are welcomed by hospitable people, stunning nature, rich cultural heritage and outstanding cuisine,” said Dubravka Kalin, director general, Directorate for Tourism at the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport. “Until recently, the cuisine was known primarily to locals and a few tourists, but since 2020, some of our top restaurants have been included in the Michelin Guide, introducing Slovenia as a global gastronomic destination.”

© Slovenian Tourist Board

In addition to these restaurants listed in the Michelin guide, there are lots of other excellent restaurants, bars and cafés throughout Slovenia, especially in Ljubljana, its capital city. Open Kitchen is a weekly outdoor street-food market with about 50 stalls, open on Friday next to Ljubljana’s Central Market; Grajska Vinoteka, inside Ljubljana Castle, has a tasting room, shop and bar with around 200 Slovenian wine varieties; Dvorni Bar is a riverside bar popular with locals offering great Slovenian wines by the glass; Makalonca is another bar on the river, under Fish Bridge, offering Slovenian beer; and Bazilika is a small bistro/café on French Revolution Square with quiches and homemade cakes.