The 14 best wine restaurants and wine bars in Slovenia 2024
"Slovenia is one of the best destinations for wine and gastronomy right now", says our ambassadors Ožbej Peterle and Ksenia Caron about the wine and restaurant scenen in the country. Here they have selected their favourite wine spots in Slovenia – check out the places not to miss!
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Phone: +386 068 194 099
Address: Breg 10, Ljubljana
When you pass by it is the gorgeous outside terrace among old vines that catches your eye. When you step in, three warm-lit rooms offer a cosy ambience. Šuklje, a prominent wine family from the Bela Krajina region, opened their wine bar on Breg (The Embankment) in Ljubljana in 2017. The young generation is in charge: enologists Katja and Bordeaux-native Guillame create the wine list, and Matija and (the other) Katja, run the place. The wine list is well organized by region and grape variety and characterizes the wines comparing them to music styles. From “easy pop” to “heavy metal” and “mast...
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Phone: +386 051 304 580
Address: Mestni trg 2, Ljubljana
Movia is a tiny, dimly lit wine bar in the very centre of Ljubljana, next door to the Town Hall. As its name suggests it belongs to one of the most famous Slovenian wineries. And surely one might come here to explore Movia wines, especially since most of them are served by the glass. Besides, a unique collection of older vintages is there for the curious mind. One of my most memorable nights here included Movia’s 1995 Merlot and trust me, it was an experience! That alone could be enough to be a great place but Movia carries plenty of bottles, both internationally recognized labels and young...
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Phone: +386 (01) 251 12 57
Address: Dvorni trg 2, Ljubljana
The wine bar scene was very sleepy in the centre of Ljubljana at the beginning of the 2000s, but Dvorni Bar, which opened in 2005, revolutionized the atmosphere. While the international wine list is rather limited and basic, it's a must-visit destination for those wishing to explore Slovenian wine. With more than 80 wines offered by the glass, it extensively covers all Slovenian wine regions and styles. When you sit on the lovely terrace by the river bank of the Ljubljanica river, overlooking the castle and the old town, time seems to stop, at least for a couple of glasses, or ... hmm ... ma...
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Phone: +386 031 764 063
Address: Trubarjeva cesta 72, Ljubljana
Recently reopened in a new location in the former Yugoslavian Rog factory, TaBar got a new vibe. Brutalist, minimalistic concrete interior is contrasted by the greenery inside and out. They started to serve an homage to traditional Slovenian plates for lunch and in September will open a fine dining room. But the imaginative touch of the chef Jakob Pintar stayed the same: his signature small plates to share, aka “Slovenian tapas”, are the still here. Seasonal and traceable ingredients are the key. Wine list by the co-owner and somm Jurij Osole is perhaps one of the most unapologetic ones a...
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Address: Miklošičeva cesta 19, Ljubljana
Chef Janez Bratovž (JB) stands as one of the founding fathers of Slovenian haute cuisine. He launched the family-run restaurant in 2001, and ever since it has remained a beacon of culinary excellence. Creativity, honesty, and precision are words which best describe this culinary gem nestled in the heart of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, within a house designed by the famed Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik. Now, over twenty years later, his son Tomaž is assuming the helm of the kitchen, while the wine list receives meticulous attention from his daughter Nina, who clinched the prestigious...
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Phone: +386 (01) 754 01 28
Address: Šentjošt nad Horjulom 24d
A windy 30-minute drive from Ljubljana, among the meadows and forests, is Grič. A once risky enterprise of chef Luka Košir, who turned his simple family restaurant into a fine-dining one. It is a great example of sustainability in the restaurant world. Self-grown fruit, vegetables and mushrooms, foraged ingredients, a duck farm and cooperation with like-minded catchers and farmers is what Grič is all about. Luka Košir’s cuisine highlights the clean tastes as well, as it explores the traditional techniques of food preservation. Wine-wise, the list follows the “green” ideas: bio, eco and biody...
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Phone: (05) 368 70 07
Address: Zemono 7, Vipava
Gostilna Pri Lojzetu - Chateau Zemono is a Michelin-starred restaurant situated on a tiny hill overlooking the gorgeous Vipava Valley. While it might sound like a cliché, gastronomy runs deep in the blood of Chef Tomaž Kavčič. He represents the fourth generation to embrace the culinary arts, earning him the reputation as the king of hospitality among Slovenian fine dining establishments. The restaurant boasts a 70-page wine list featuring renowned names and lesser-known producers from France, Italy, Spain, and the New World. However, their specialty lies in wines from the wine districts of t...
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Phone: +386 041 670 791
Address: Tyrševa ulica 13, Maribor
The city of Maribor is a special place: it is not only home to the oldest, still productive, vines in the world, it is a city with vineyards within its borders. Located in the university quarter and surrounded by boutique design shops it has this effortlessly cool neighborhood vibe. Tiny, with just one table for six inside, it has outdoor seating shared with the coffee shop behind the wall. On the list are around 450 labels, Slovenian and from the classic wine regions. And, of course, Champagne, both from the big houses and growers. If you already managed to taste some Slovenian classics,...
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Phone: +386 (05) 389 41 20
Address: Staro selo 1
In Slovenia, Hiša Franko is not only the most known and most awarded restaurant. It is a story of how dedication and a soulful approach can make a tiny valley in the Julian Alps a gastronomic Mekka. I’m pretty sure, there is a crowd who got to know about our country thanks to the chef Ana Roš. Her cuisine is an ode to the place: foraged herbs, carefully aged local cheeses, produce from surrounding farms and forests and the cold crystal waters of Soča River. The beverage program is also one of a kind. Inventive seasonal cocktails and house-brewed kombuchas use local fruit and botanicals. Win...
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Phone: +386 0597 79595
Address: Vršiška cesta 45, Kranjska Gora
Restaurant Milka is one of the rising culinary stars in Slovenia. Just four months after opening its doors in 2022, it received its first Michelin star, followed by a second in 2023. Nestled in the heart of the Julian Alps, Milka offers breathtaking views overlooking Lake Jasna and the majestic mountains beyond. It doesn’t get more “instagramable” than this. Chef David Žefran excels in blending Nordic and Alpine cuisines, focusing on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. While Gorenjska is not a wine-producing region, the wine list at Milka represents all three Slovenian wine regions—Podr...
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Phone: +386 031 342 369
Address: Šmartno 26, Kojsko
There’s nothing like tasting wines in the place they were born. Nested on the top of the highest hill is Šmartno – a cosy walled medieval village, overlooking the vineyards and orchards of Goriška Brda. Here is Vinoteka Brda, run by the local David Lipovsek, who offers an ever-changing list of Brda wines from fifty producers. Around twenty labels are available by the glass, giving a chance to taste native grapes like Rebula, Malvasia Istriana, and Sauvignonasse (Friulano) in their different expressions: from sparkling to fresh to oak-aged to macerated version. The latter ones have become the s...
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Phone: +386 030 742 211
Address: Dolnje Cerovo 34, Kojsko
You park your car in Italy and walk a few meters to Slovenia to get to Konvin – an outdoor wine bar surrounded by vineyards of Goriška Brda. The tiny shop with a patio and outside kitchen took over the former border point. Of course, the wine list is dedicated to the local wines, and I mean both Brda and Italian Collio regions. Short but sweet Champagne selection, including large formats. The vibe is unique and appreciated by locals from both sides of the border. Chances are that the guys at the table next to you are your favourite Brda winemakers, so watch out! Simple and hearty food from t...
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Phone: +386 (05) 660 41 00
Address: Veliki trg 11, Izola
The Slovenian coast becomes overrun by tourists in the summertime. As you wander the charming, picturesque Venetian-style coastal towns, it's not easy to escape the smell of fried calamari emanating from numerous very basic establishments, some call them tourist traps. However, Hotel Marina stands apart, thankfully. It's dedicated to offering the best that the Adriatic Sea has to offer. You won't find 15 components on the plates of Chef Ivica Evačić – Ivek; instead, the philosophy of the house is "less is more." The wine list extensively covers the Primorska wine region, including many renow...
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Phone: +386 051 367 194
Address: Šentjanž 14, Šentjanž
Gostilna Repovž has transitioned from a typical family-run countryside restaurant to becoming one of Slovenia's premier culinary destinations. It's a celebration of family, tradition, inspiration, and community. Don't be surprised if locals from Šentjanž drop in for a coffee or a glass of wine after Sunday mass. The cuisine is seasonal, exemplifying the fusion of tradition and creativity. The majority of ingredients are sourced from their organic farm or carefully selected from local farmers in the vicinity. When you visit Gostilna Repovž, you can expect to taste some great novelties from...