Vegetarians in the land of fresh fruit and vegetables

Even though the Tastes of Slovenia are traditionally linked to meat dishes, vegetarians, vegans, and people with special diets will not find it hard to discover true culinary delights. Slovenia is the land of fresh, locally produced vegetables, fruit, and grain. There are excellent catering establishments offering vegetarian dishes all over Slovenia, and Ljubljana also has restaurants of renowned international chains.

Traditional Slovenian meat-free dishes

Among the dishes from 24 gastronomic regions, which you can learn about in greater detail in the Tastes of Slovenia, you can discover buckwheat žganci (buckwheat mush), Idrija žlikrofi (dumplings filled with potatoes, onions, etc.), and štruklji (dumplings) with numerous meat-free fillings, various porridges, unusual dishes, such as e.g. dressed hop shoots in the Savinja Valley, and dishes made from ingredients harvested from nature – for example, mushrooms picked in the Pohorje Hills or wild asparagus from Istria. No matter where you are in Slovenia, you can enjoy salads with ingredients produced in a nearby garden. Don’t miss the Slovenian love for dandelions in the Spring. 

Creative veggie dishes

Connoisseurs and reviewers on Tripadvisor agree that, in Ljubljana, you can find vegetarian delicacies in vegetarian-friendly restaurants serving dishes from various world cuisines, such as Indian, Lebanese, Turkish, and others, but also in local bistros and restaurants, such as Bazilika, Za Živ, etc. Bazlika is known for its daily offerings of dishes reminiscent of Slovenian cuisine and prepared using locally produced ingredients. Za Živ (also Zaziv), offering incredible vegan burgers, is recommended by the reviewers of the international vegan network Happy Cow, where you can also discover other vegan options in the capital of Slovenia and elsewhere in the country.

Fresh flavours at the marketplace and in selected shops

If you like to prepare your own food, you will certainly love what is on offer in Slovenian marketplaces, where fresh fruit and vegetables are brought from nearby farms, orchards, and forests. An increasing number of Slovenian grocery stores have sections featuring organic food or locally produced food. In cities, you can also find specialised stores offering organic groceries.

Diet food where you are staying

No matter where you are, you will certainly be able to find locally produced fruit and vegetables: in various catering establishments, in marketplaces, and at tourist farms. Various forms of diet food are also available in hotels, health resorts, and in many other accommodation facilities. In Slovenia, you can find accommodation that offers food that suits your needs (vegetarian, gluten-free, diabetic, etc.). Five Slovenian hotels also have a halal food certificate: the Terme Krka Hotel in Dolenjske Toplice, the Union Hotel and the Four Points Hotel by Sheraton in Ljubljana, the Habakuk Hotel in Maribor and the Aleksander Hotel in Rogaška Slatina.

Recommended

The culinary experiences of Slovenia are inseparably connected with the natural elements of Slovenian landscapes. Local produce is available in picturesque marketplaces in Slovenia, and local dishes are the hallmark of many events.