Plant-based and Slovenian: vegan culinary pleasures

Fruit and vegetables, starchy foods and legumes, nuts and seeds.

As the number of vegans increases, so does the vegan offer in our country.

The gastronomic offer for all foodies who do not eat foodstuffs of animal origin can today be found in different, not only specialised, stores, bistros, in street food, and also in high cuisine.

Vegastic in top restaurants

Vegastic vegan culinary evenings are organised in Petrovče near Žalec in Galerija okusov. The chefs’ mission is to surprise with their creations and impress the lovers of vegan dishes, including die-hard meat eaters.

Chef Uroš Štefelin has conjured up an interesting vegan menu with typical Slovenian ingredients from traditional and modern cuisine in Hiša Linhart in Radovljica. The dishes include a vegetable tartar, roast cauliflower with hazelnuts or peppers stuffed with barley and porcini mushrooms or polenta made from red Bohinj trdinka corn.

All guests of Gostilna pri Lojzetu in Zemono Manor House are asked to relax and let them choose the menu. Upon prior notice, chef Tomaž Kavčič is happy to prepare a vegan menu. The dishes change daily in accordance with the fresh local ingredients and chef’s inspiration.

At the other end of Slovenia, in Zgornja Kungota, chef Gregor Vračko of Hiša Denk creates a vegan menu based on a pre-order, while paying a lot of attention to the local tradition.

For a vegan menu ordered in advance, chef Uroš Fakuč prepares dishes that consist of vegetables from the home garden of Dam Restaurant in Nova Gorica.

JB Restaurant in Ljubljana offers a seven-course vegetarian menu, which is also available in a vegan option subject to prior order.

A diverse selection in the capital

At Güjžina Restaurant in Mestni trg square, Slovenian traditional dishes from the Prekmurje region are prepared in a modern and exclusively vegan manner. They also serve breakfast and organise days of Štajerska and Koroška cuisine.

At the Barbarella Juicebar, seasonal and organically produced local ingredients of plant origin and the highest quality are carefully chosen and made into cold-pressed juices and smoothies, kamut sandwiches, savoury vegan pies, soups and stews and colourful salad bowls with interesting dressings.

The first plan-based delicatessen in Slovenia, Grashka, will welcome you at Center Rog.

Organic, healthy, nutritious and delicious is the slogan of the Maha bistro in the centre of Ljubljana, where vegan lunches and a la carte dishes are prepared daily. At the Gornji trg square, in her VegaNika bistro, Nika is preparing daily lunches inspired by cuisine from around the world. They also serve traditional Slovenian dishes with a modern twist: pea soup with apples or roast peppers stuffed with buckwheat and champignon mushrooms. Nearby you will find Pizzeria Piccola with a wide selection of vegan pizzas prepared in the Roman style.

At Mali trg square, the Gaudi&Naan bistro offers daily lunches, a la carte dishes and tasting menus. They say that their traditional Western recipes are touched by the warm sun of the Far East. They love the produce supplied by local producers and also grow vegetables in their own garden. As per the inspiration of the chef, the dishes may be somewhat Indian, somewhat Japanese or utterly Ljubljana style.

Elsewhere in Slovenia

For over a decade, Avokado, a vegan culinary oasis, at Gortan trg square in the centre of Koper has offered vegan breakfasts, snacks and lunches, sandwiches, bread, pastry and desserts.

Next to the world-renowned Lake Bled, Public Bar & Vegan Kitchen Bled caters for those who enjoy plant-based meals and is known for its vegan burgers. Tavči kuhna in the nearby town of Lesce also serves delicious vegan burgers and daily lunches, and prides itself on a diverse selection of desserts. They use exclusively fresh and locally produced ingredients.

Kavarnica CukrDoza in Maribor is famous for its vegan desserts, while vegan ice-cream can also be found at many catering facilities across Slovenia.

Vegan food delivery

It’s also possible to find takeaway or delivery of vegan food, as is offered by Vanderveg in Ljubljana. At Mateja Ulaga in kuha, Mateja preserves, cooks and delivers prepared cooked or raw vegan lunches daily. She delivers meals with a smile on her face anywhere in Ljubljana, and occasionally to more distant locations.

At the other end of Slovenia, BeetBox in Slovenj Gradec delivers vegan lunches that are occasionally made in a distinctly Koroška tradition.

In Kranj, it’s possible to order vegan soups and stews at Juhahu, which are delivered with a slice of homemade bread directly to your office, the playground or somewhere else.