Ljubljana and Lake Bled, Slovenia Food & Travel Guide
Download the entire Ljubljana Food & Travel Guide
Slovenia, tucked away in Central Europe between Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia, is a treasure. The capital, Ljubljana only has a population of 300,000 people, but its small size makes exploring it easy and fun.
Medieval legends loom large here. Jason, of Argonauts fame, is said to have founded the city when he slayed a dragon. Yet, somehow, Jason didn’t become the symbol of the city, the dragon did.
Once, Ljubljana was pizza joints and uninspired international restaurants. Today, Slovenians have reclaimed their cuisine and are proud to present it to hungry travelers. There’s Slavic soups and Germanic-influenced sausages, but the star of the show is the bakeries. Slovenia was ruled by the Habsburgs from Vienna for centuries. The Viennese brought their dessert skills and the Slovenians were quick students. Štruklji, Potica, Dragon Rolls are just a few of the must-try sweets.
Then, there’s Lake Bled. A quick trip from Ljubljana, Bled can get very crowded with tourists, but it’s easy to see why. It’s absolutely stunning. Still, it’s worth battling the hoards to take a boat trip to Bled Island and taste the iconic Kremna Rezina.
Foodie Ljubljana
Central Market
Another Plečnik design in Ljubljana is the Central Market. Built on the site of an old monastery that was destroyed in the 1895 earthquake, the Central Market was completed in 1942.
The striking two story building sits right on the riverbank and is filled with all kinds of vendors from fruit & veg to flowers and prepared foods to crafts. In season, you can even find truffles!
The Central Market has expanded well beyond its original footprint and now has dozens and dozens of vendors in the outdoor marketplace. It’s an incredibly vibrant setting that is now one of the best markets in Europe.
Every Friday from March through October (weather permitting) the market adds the Open Kitchen. Local restaurants cook delicious dishes at outdoor popups, giving you the chance to sample Slovenian and international cuisine in one place.