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Gastronomic events in Slovenia that are not to be missed

If you would like get the best possible insight into the diversity of Slovenia's gastronomy, then make sure to visit one of the many gastronomic festivals and events, in all seasons.

Enjoy good food in good company

As you explore beautiful Slovenia and once you have satisfied your appetite for attractions, your appetite for food will surely be revived, inviting you to explore Slovenia's culinary specialities. And because a Slovenian proverb teaches us that “an empty sack cannot stand upright”, you can stop at an inn, a restaurant, a tourist farm, a mountain cabin, or whatever is closest, to get your strength back.

But what if you combined a pleasant lunch or dinner with a social event and party at one of the culinary events? You can visit events with a culinary focus in every season, where you can learn in greater detail about the local cuisine and culinary specialities from the immediate as well as greater vicinity. To help you make a decision, we would like to offer a few hints where you can go.

Enjoy good food and company in Ljubljana and Central Slovenia 

Experience one of the most popular gastronomic experiences in Ljubljana, learn about the traditional speciality from the kitchens of Idrija, and visit one of the greatest wine festivals in Slovenia. 

Open Kitchen

Are you trying to decide where to take your loved ones, friends, or even business partners for lunch or dinner? Are their tastes and wishes too different to only go to one place? Then experience the diversity of Slovenian and world cuisine in the street! The Open Kitchen is the most popular culinary market in Slovenia, which will fascinate you with thousands of colours, aromas, and flavours. See you at Pogačar Square when temperatures get warm enough. Occasionally, the Open Kitchen opens its ‘doors’ in other towns, too. In October, don’t miss the Beer & Burger Fest.

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Mediterranean luxury of gastronomic events

You will certainly not be left hungry if you travel around Mediterranean and Karst Slovenia. Also because there are a lot of different things happening when it comes to gastronomy, especially in warmer months. Discover your favourite culinary event.

Saltpans Feast

It is said that Piran is a town that grew on salt. If you would like to know why, we recommend that you visit the Saltpans Feast, where you can go back in time and discover the mysteries and interesting stories about salt production using a method that dates back more than 700 years. Visit a marketplace devoted to salt and other riches of the sea, and go with the flow of various events held at Tartini Square and the Sečovlje Salt Pans.

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From wine to asparagus

In the Mediterranean and Karst Slovenia, you will also encounter a number of other gastronomic events, mainly related to wine, fruit and vegetables.

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Brda and Wine

Brda and Wine

We cannot talk about Brda without mentioning world-class wines from the region. So, it’s well worth visiting this spring festival to see for yourself how good they are and also taste other delicacies of Brda cuisine.

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Rebula and Olive Oil Festival

Rebula and Olive Oil Festival

Rebula is one of the trademarks of Brda. It is at its most "at home" in the village of Višnjevik, where this wine is celebrated with a special festival, with olive oil also playing an important role.

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Refosco and Slovenian Istria Festival

Refosco and Slovenian Istria Festival

At the end of May, the village of Marezige in the hinterland of Koper dons its festive finery. This is when the characteristic local Refosco wine and selected Istrian cuisine is celebrated with a special festival.

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International Orange Wine Festival

International Orange Wine Festival

Orange wines are a true hit among gourmets, and a heavenly experience of these prized wines awaits them at the International Orange Wine Festival in Izola.

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Teran and Prosciutto Festival, Dutovlje

Teran and Prosciutto Festival, Dutovlje

The largest event in the Karst, having a tradition spanning more than half a century, celebrates two of the most recognisable local specialties – Karst teran and Karst prosciutto.

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Month of Beautiful Asparagus

Month of Beautiful Asparagus

As the wild and cultivated asparagus ripens between May and June, visit selected Karst providers who will prepare various dishes for you featuring these prized and healthy vegetables.

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KrassPass Gourmet

KrassPass Gourmet

In the summer, you can meander among more than 40 Karst providers and experience the flavours of the Karst in all their fullness at KrasPass Gourmet.

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Artichoke Festival

Artichoke Festival

Artichokes are considered a very welcome and healthy addition in the kitchen. Have you ever tried the indigenous Istrian artichokes? Get to know them at the spring Artichoke Festival in Strunjan.

Persimmon Festival

Persimmon Festival

Did you know that a third of all Slovenian persimmons are grown in Strunjan orchards? It’s no wonder that a special festival is dedicated to this fruit in Strunjan in early November.

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Festival of Olives, Wine and Fish

Festival of Olives, Wine and Fish

In Izola, a city where everything revolves around fish, olives and wine, it is fitting that they have a special festival dedicated to these delicacies. Follow the aromas emanating from the street stalls in Izola at the start of June. Photo: Luka Kaše

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Festivals amongst gentle wine-growing hills and healthy waters 

Thermal Pannonian Slovenia is rich in grapevines. There are quite a few culinary events devoted to the wines from individual areas. And there are also festivals devoted to other culinary specialities. Visit Slovenia's largest beer festival in the land of ‘green gold’.

Bogračfest

When you visit Lendava, you just have to do at least two things – climb up the Vinarium Panoramic Tower, from which you will be able to see the territories of four countries, and taste the bograč stew. This traditional stew is so deeply rooted in the hearts of the people of Lendava that a special festival is devoted to it every year – the Bogračfest, held in late August within the Vinarium Festival.

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And this is not all…

Visit some of the other festivals that reveal the gastronomic offering of Thermal Pannonian Slovenia.

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An Alpine mix of gastronomic festivals 

 Wine, chocolate, cheese, tradition, and modern culinary masterpieces – experience a wide range of different gastronomic festivals in Alpine Slovenia.

Old Vine Festival

The oldest grapevine in the world grows in Maribor. It is a more-than-450-year-old Žametovka vine, which is shown great honour by the locals and visitors alike. It has its own museum, even its own anthem, and, of course, its own festival. It begins with a ceremonial harvesting of the Old Vine, and ends with the largest outdoor St Martin’s Celebration in Slovenia. During this time, you can meet the best winemakers of the Štajerska region and taste local specialities and innovative dishes made by local chefs.

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Are you still "hungry" for gastronomic events?

We will find some more for you. Here are some more delicious gastronomic events under the Alpine peaks and plateaus that are well worth visiting.

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Bohinj Cheese & Wine Festival

Bohinj Cheese & Wine Festival

If you find yourself in Bohinj in autumn, you must visit the Cheese & Wine Festival, where you can taste a variety of cheeses, local and otherwise, and wash it all down with the finest Slovenian wines.

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Savinja Beer Fest – a festival of good beer, gin and culinary arts

Savinja Beer Fest – a festival of good beer, gin and culinary arts

At the beginning of the summer holidays, a special festival is hosted in the Mozirski Gaj botanical garden, where you can try craft beers from Slovenian microbreweries, craft gin, as well as a local non-alcoholic beverage that has been prepared in Mozirje...

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International Chili and Chocolate Festival

International Chili and Chocolate Festival

Have you ever wondered how chili and chocolate go together? Excellently! You can see this for yourself at the International Chili and Chocolate Festival in Maribor.

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International Wild Flower Festival

International Wild Flower Festival

Would you like to try dishes made with wild plants picked from the Alpine landscape? Then come to the International Wild Flower Festival and indulge in the authentic flavours of nature.

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Street Food Market Maribor

Street Food Market Maribor

Enjoy the delicious bites offered at the Street Food Market, which enlivens the summer street culinary scene every summer.

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FrikaFest

FrikaFest

Frika is a traditional dish from the Soča Valley made from cheese, potatoes and eggs. If that appeals to you, don't miss this traditional festival, where you can feast on it to your heart's content, accompanied by a selection of local cheeses.

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Radovljica Craft Beer Festival

Radovljica Craft Beer Festival

One of the largest beer festivals in Slovenia takes you into a world of premium craft beer produced by Slovenian microbreweries

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Soča Trout Festival

Soča Trout Festival

The Soča trout is the queen of the emerald Soča River, attracting legions of anglers. It is to the Soča trout that this month-long festival, which culminates on Earth Day on 22 April, is dedicated.

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Štrukljifest

Štrukljifest

Discover strudel, one of the most popular traditional Slovenian desserts, and learn about the local cultural heritage of the Upper Savinja Valley.

Gastronomic events you should add to your calendar

Slovenia is a country where you can always find something good for a snack or to drink. Especially if you visit one of the many gastronomic events all around Slovenia, where you will discover a wide range of flavours – from local to cosmopolitan.

Visit website Taste Slovenia

Allow the aromas from these culinary events to seduce you

Slovenia's culinary landscape is exceptionally rich and varied, as are the many events where you can savour the aroma of good food and toast with excellent drinks.



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Restaurant Week – time to explore flavours

If you like exploring various flavours, then don't miss Restaurant Week in the spring and autumn. During the event’s ten days, you can visit participating restaurants and treat yourself to a special tasting menu prepared at a special price, which varies according to the number of "hearts" with which each restaurant is rated. Restaurant Week is very well received in Slovenia. Pay attention to the dates of the next iteration of this popular culinary event.

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Popular flavours with their own festivals

While many gastronomic festivals and events are mostly a mix of local and Slovenian flavours, some delicacies play a major role in several festivals. Wine is certainly featured at most festivals, while chocolate is also a tempting ingredient of such events.

Wine holidays in Slovenia

Every winemaker is proud of their wine and likes to share it with the visitors who stop at their cellar. The pride and joy that supreme Slovenian wines bring about is also reflected in a number of festivals and events taking place in wine regions practically throughout the year.

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Slovenia is just the place for good food

The diversity of tastes that you can experience in Slovenia is sure to make your holiday even better. No matter whether you like traditional and local cuisine or modern culinary experiments, there is something tasty for everyone.

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