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Nova Gorica and Gorizia – European Capital of Culture 2025

Culinary delights in the European Capital of Culture 2025 region

Spice up your visit to the European Capital of Culture 2025 with select culinary experiences in the surrounding area.

Art on a plate

Nova Gorica and Gorizia – two cross-border cities sharing the title of European Capital of Culture 2025 – lie in a region with a gentle Mediterranean climate and rich, fertile soil. This is reflected in the rich and full flavours found on the plate and in the glass. The Vipava Valley and the Brda region are famous for their excellent wines, including many indigenous varieties. This rich source of flavours is embraced by top chefs, who reinterpret the region's traditional flavours in a creative and modern way. So when your appetite grows after a day of culture and art, take a seat and savour the art on your plate.

Savour the refined creations of celebrated chefs

If you're a foodie, you won’t have to venture far from the European Capital of Culture 2025 to treat your taste buds. In the area of Nova Gorica and the Vipava Valley, you'll find two restaurants awarded a prestigious Michelin star. And if you follow the Soča River upstream towards the Alps, you can also enjoy the experience of three Michelin stars in one place.

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Dam, Nova Gorica (Uroš Fakuč)

Indulge yourself at the boutique restaurant Dam and enjoy a myriad of exquisite tastes. Chef Uroš Fakuč makes sure that the world of culinary pleasures you enter here is truly an unforgettable experience.

Gostilna pri Lojzetu, Dvorec Zemono

When in the Vipava Valley marked with the sun and the bora and home to fine tastes, stop by the Zemono Manor House where you can enjoy a royal gastronomic experience. Renowned chef Tomaž Kavčič creates...

Hiša Franko, Kobarid (Ana Roš)

Take a unique journey into the world of flavours at the three-star Michelin-rated Hiša Franko, the culinary playground of one of the world's best chefs, Ana Roš.

Culinary masters in the European Capital of Culture 2025 region

The area around Nova Gorica and Gorizia carries a Mediterranean scent, but the two towns also nod towards the Alpine world. This is also true for its cuisine. Discover the distinctive flavours of each destination, all within easy reach during your visit to the European Capital of Culture 2025.

Nova Gorica and the Vipava Valley

Vipava's cuisine is an enchanting blend of authentic local flavours, with dishes made from fresh local ingredients and excellent wines from Vipava's fertile soil.

Brda region

A mere glance at the Brda landscape reveals that wine, fruit and olives are the main ingredients of the local cuisine. Try the authentic Brda cuisine and wash it down with typical Brda wines.

Karst

The first associations that come to mind when we think of the Karst are its prosciutto and Teran wine. But in addition to these two mainstays of Karst cuisine, the region boasts many other traditional...

Soča Valley

The cuisine of the Soča Valley delights with the unique flavours of the Alpine world, where the freshness of mountain herbs and trout combine with the heritage of shepherd's dishes. Each meal tells a...

A colourful range of ECOC 2025 culinary events

ZFill your canvas of unforgettable memories with the flavours of the European Capital of Culture 2025 which you can discover at one-day culinary festivals.

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Experience the perfect taste and vivid colours of this royal red fruit and all the events that will take you to discover the land of the Cherry Festival!...

Cherry festival

It is time to celebrate the tradition of winemaking at the Open Cellar Days event. This is also the time when we taste the excellent Brda wines, gastronomy...

Brda Wine Festival: Open Cellar Days

Brda 30,00 - 40,00

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Boutique culinary stories that inspire

Step behind the scenes and discover the dedication, love and harmony between man and nature that go into crafting the finest ingredients, drinks and dishes you can taste in the European Capital of Culture 2025 region.

Visit website Taste Slovenia

A treat for gourmet enthusiasts

Indulge in experiences that will take you deep into the world of the exquisite cuisine of the Vipava Valley. You will leave with unforgettable memories of the picturesque landscape that inspires artists both in their studios and in their kitchens.

Gourmet experience at the Zemono Manor House near Frigido

The gourmet experience includes lunch or dinner, a 6-course "green" tasting menu using ingredients from the Vipava Valley, paired with fine local wines, served at the renowned Gostilna pri Lojzetu in the Zemono Manor House. Chef Tomaž Kavčič, recipient of numerous culinary awards, is the only Slovenian recipient of the prestigious Italian title Cuoco d'Oro ("Golden Chef"), continuing 120 years of family tradition in his own refined and sophisticated style.

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Gourmet experience at the Zemono Manor House near Frigido

Gourmet experience at the Zemono Manor House near Frigido

The gourmet experience includes lunch or dinner, a 6-course "green" tasting menu using ingredients from the Vipava Valley, paired with fine local wines, served at the renowned Gostilna pri Lojzetu in the Zemono Manor House. Chef Tomaž Kavčič, recipient of numerous culinary awards, is the only Slovenian recipient of the prestigious Italian title Cuoco d'Oro ("Golden Chef"), continuing 120 years of family tradition in his own refined and sophisticated style.

Vipava Valley Wine Train

Vipava Valley Wine Train

The Vipava Valley is famed for its excellent wines and boasts the largest number of indigenous grape varieties in the country Now you can discover them in a whole new way: aboard a train. A special wine train between Nova Gorica and Ajdovščina has taken on the role of a wine cellar, where you can taste wines prepared by selected winemakers from the Vipava Valley right in the passenger cars.

Winestronaut – the Vipava Valley wine and food experience

Winestronaut – the Vipava Valley wine and food experience

Embark on a culinary journey in Vipava, accompanied by a team that knows what good wine is. And what it takes to make it. They will take you to the wineries where you will meet the winemakers, taste the wine and enjoy the local delicacies.

The castle secrets – linking castles, water, farms and vineyards of the Vipava Valley

The castle secrets – linking castles, water, farms and vineyards of the Vipava Valley

An experience that combines everything you love. Enjoy a castle adventure with Eleonora at Rihemberk Castle, learn the subtle secrets of local flavours at the Čilčevi Farmstead, paddle along the Vipava River on a SUP and visit a local winemaker to sample fine wines accompanied by selected local cuisine.

Golden Ring – a unique cheese experience

Golden Ring – a unique cheese experience

This two-day adventure takes you to an unusual cheese factory located – believe it or not – in former Italian tunnels. You'll discover how top boutique cheeses are made – and even try making your own. Sounds delicious, doesn't it?

Let's meet at the osmice

More than 200 years ago, farmers and winegrowers in the Primorska region were granted permission to sell their wine and other products left over from the previous year tax-free for eight days a year. These pop-up wine cellars are called osmice, and the tradition is still alive in the Vipava Valley, the Karst and Slovenian Istria. Osmice open their doors to the public twice a year, in the autumn and the spring, and you will recognise them by the branches of ivy hung above the entrance.

Vipava jota with turnip fermented in pomace

Traditional Vipava jota combines all the characteristic flavours of the valley, grapes, crops and meat products. Grapes? Of course. It is made using turnips fermented in grape pomace. Dried meat or a sausage adds character to the dish. Vipava jota is served on farms, in inns and at local restaurants.

Vipava jota with turnip fermented in pomace

Vipava jota with turnip fermented in pomace

Traditional Vipava jota combines all the characteristic flavours of the valley, grapes, crops and meat products. Grapes? Of course. It is made using turnips fermented in grape pomace. Dried meat or a sausage adds character to the dish. Vipava jota is served on farms, in inns and at local restaurants.

Several pink roses in full bloom surrounded by green leaves. The flowers have multiple layers of petals, giving them a lush and full appearance. The background is filled with more green foliage, indicating that the roses are part of a larger plant or garden.

Bourbon rose and biškotične biscuits

Nova Gorica is known as the City of Roses. A stylised rose adorns the city's coat of arms. In the Bourbon rose garden at the Kostanjevica Franciscan Monastery, you can admire these beautiful flowers, named after the French Bourbon royal dynasty. This is no coincidence, as some members of the Bourbon royal family are buried in the monastery.

A green box with a pink interior containing cookies and an informational card. Next to it, there are two stacked boxes of the same design labeled Briškotične with yellow rose illustrations. Additionally, there is a clear plastic bag tied with a green ribbon, filled with the same type of cookies.

The rose has also inspired the creators of special biscuits, biškotične, which, with their long shelf-life and refined taste, make an excellent gift or souvenir when visiting the region. They are made from carefully selected local ingredients, including liqueur, syrup and freeze-dried rose pieces.

Tastes of biškotične biscuits

Discover the destinations around the ECOC 2025

Nova Gorica and Gorizia, as well as the surrounding area, offer a range of experiences to suit all tastes. Come and discover them in your own way.

Nova Gorica and the Vipava Valley

The land of unique vines and first-rate cuisine between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea

Nova Gorica and the Vipava Valley on map

Brda

Sun-Kissed Wine Country between the Alps and the Mediterranean

Brda on map

Karst

The world of underground wonders, stunning natural phenomena and unique tastes.

Karst on map

Soča Valley

Escape on an active break in the picturesque world of the Julian Alps, the Triglav National Park and the emerald River Soča.

Soča Valley on map

Flavours you won't forget

With its rich culinary portfolio, Slovenia is increasingly establishing itself on the European gastronomic map. Whether it's the top restaurants listed in the prestigious Michelin and Gault&Millau guides or the traditional taverns where you can discover the distinctive flavours of each region, you can eat well everywhere.

Food and wine

Love is experienced through the stomach.

Follow the Michelin Stars in Slovenia

Meet Slovenia's gastronomic stars that are now shining on the Michelin sky.

Top Slovenian restaurants as selected by Gault & Millau

Top Slovenian restaurants as selected by Gault & Millau

If you’re unsure of where to eat, open the latest Slovenian edition of the Gault&Millau guide.

Restaurants with the Slovenia Green sustainability label

Restaurants with the Slovenia Green sustainability label

Follow the green gastronomic offering in Slovenia.

Top culinary experiences in Slovenia

Enjoy the most special gastronomic experiences in Slovenia!

Local high-quality brands in green destinations

Choose local quality brands in green destinations marketing short supply chains and interesting local delicacies.

Original dishes under European protection

Learn about the wealth of Slovenian cuisine and its protected particularities.

Where to buy fresh local products?

Taste the noble gifts of Slovenian soil and the tasty produce of Slovenian farms.

Slovenia = a land of sustainable cuisine

Enjoy cuisine that is devoted to the local environment and people.

Wines of Slovenia

Where to taste wines from Slovenia's three wine-growing regions?

Stories from Slovenia

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