5 Best Restaurants in The Karst Region and the Adriatic Coast, Slovenia

Not to be confused with the restaurant of the same name, Caffe Neptun is a delightful little café located directly next to the bus station. It's a friendly spot that focuses as much on sustainability and ethics as on good coffee and a warm atmosphere. The coffee is the best on the coast, giving some of the more lauded cafés in Ljubljana a run for their money, too.

The cafés and restaurants on the seafront in Piran are generally one and the same, ticking the same boxes with similar menus and offers. Cafinho stands out through its quality of service and attention to detail, not to mention its popularity with those lucky enough to call Piran home.

Leave the crowds of central Piran behind and walk 10 minutes out of town to this mom-and-pop restaurant and its unique fusion of Italian and Slovenian cuisine. You will find top-quality fish offered at a fair price. Though other establishments mar the sea view, the atmosphere is cozy and service is friendly. Hours of operation can vary, so call ahead.

Cavernous dining rooms and excellently prepared dishes provide an authentic ambience at Gostilna Prunk, a delightful surprise in the backwoods of Slovenia. The menu is simple and meat-centric (the family-owned butcher shop is attached) but enhanced by fresh ingredients and well-chosen spices—the homemade dessert plum cake pairs well with the homemade šlivovitz (a plum-based stiff brandy). Service is friendly, and prices are economical.

Creating a homey atmosphere in the center of town isn't the most straightforward task, but Istrska Klet Slavček more than pulls it off. Everything Istrian is embraced on the menu, highlighted by a tremendous seafood selection straight from the port to your plate. This place fills up as the day goes by, so it's best to get there early.