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Don't let the secret out, but Ljubljana is quietly becoming one of Europe's most engaging gastronomic experiences. The surrounding hills supply the capital with first-class meat and game, dairy produce, fruit, and vegetables. At some of the more modern restaurants, the menus may verge on nouvelle cuisine, featuring imaginative and beautifully presented dishes. The portions, however, are almost always more ample than their counterparts in other countries. Complement your meal with a bottle of good Slovenian wine; the waiter can help you choose an appropriate one.
Meat everything reigns supreme at this charming cuts-fueled bistro on Eipprova. Dežela Okusov is pub grub at an impeccably high standard: stacks of grilled and smoked meats mesh perfectly with any of Slovenia's impressive roster of craft beers. Throw in a homely interior and a sun-drenched terrace, and Dežela Okusov is always a great option.
Expect exceptional food and service at this pleasant well-known eatery just three minutes from the city center. Every dish on the menu is sure to please, and there's an excellent wine list. Enjoy the array of outdoor seating: in the garden, along the lively promenade on Eipprova, or in the back of the house on the funky summer terrace.
An ode to modern design and inventive tastes, Valvas'or will first woo you with their stylish remodel of an old arched tavern and then amaze you with little pleasures like a sorbet between courses. Between ample and excellently prepared dishes, take note of the gold-perforated metal wall that details the city plan of Ljubljana.
