Yes, the Michelin guide is coming, and Gault&Millau got here in 2019, but such international attention didn’t come without local efforts to draw more interest to the many delights that the varied climates, landscapes and bordering nations of Slovenia afford when it comes to the pleasures of the table.
One project that's been doing this in English since 2017 is “The Slovenia Restaurant Awards”, which showcases the best of the country’s eateries by region, along with an overall winner. With an initial list of 123 nominees chosen by the Gastronomic Academy (composed of chefs and restaurant owners, gastronomic associations, the media and foodies), the competition is then opened to the public, with a vote using a secure system to deter multiple votes. Just like the voters in the Gastronomy Academy, members of the public can choose five restaurants in their own region, and with a further five votes to then assign to the other three regions.
The 123 nominated restaurants, in random order in each regional grouping, are as follows, with details on how to vote below the long (long) list:
Ljubljana & Central Slovenia: JB Restavracija, Restavracija Strelec, Gostišče Grič, Restavracija Atelje, Tabar, Gostilna Dvor Jezeršek, Monstera Bistro, Gostilna Mihovec, Evergreen, Restavracija Cubo, Gostilna na Gradu, Gostilna Čubr, Danilo - gostilna & vinoteka, Restavracija As, Argentino, Gostilna Kovač, Okrepčevalnica Čompa, Gostilnica 5-6kg, Japonska restavracija Maru, Gostilna Skaručna, Altroke, Kendov dvorec, Gostilna Belšak, Gostilna Pr Kopač, EK Bistro, Gostilna Pri Kuklju, Restavracija Maxim, Kralj Žara, Boschtiz, Kult316, Sushimama, B-restavracija, Gostilna Repnik, Harfa, Ošterija Pr’Noni, Gostilna Jakob Franc, Gostilna Ledinek, Gostilna Pr Čop, Gostilna pod Krvavcem, Domačija Javornik, Restavracija Slon 1552, Pri žabarju, Krtina D’Ampezzo.
Alpine Slovenia: Hiša Franko, Vila Podvin, Restavracija Mak, Gostilna Krištof, Restavracija Sedem, Gostilna Ančka, Hiša Raduha, Gostilna Grič, Rožmarin, Gostilna Lectar, City Terasa, Gostilna Pri treh ribnikih, Fudo, Gostilna Lešnik, Hiša Polonka, Gostilna Kunstelj, Restavracija Milka, Gostilna in penzion Resje, Hotel Plesnik, Miza za štiri, Restavracija Topli Val, Gostilna Maribor, Gostilna Pr’ Bizjak, Gostilna Delalut, Dom na Joštu, Vila Prešeren, Restavracija 1906.
Mediterranean & Karst Slovenia: Gostilna pri Lojzetu - Dvorec Zemono, Domačija Butul, Domačija Majerija, Domačija Belica, Hiša Torkla, Gostilna Kobjeglava, Gostilna Mahorčič, COB, Domačija Kabaj Morel, Okrepčevalnica Ruj, Pikol, Turistična Kmetija Arkade Cigoj, Restavracija Dam, Nejka in Uroš Klinec, Špacapanova hiša, Gostilna Podfarovž, Gostilna Ribič, Restavracija hotela Marina, Restavracija Capra, Kužina Stara šola, Gostilna pri Mari, Etna, Gostilna Za gradom “Rodica”, Gostilna Bujol, Gostilna Žeja, Chang, Aviopub, Restavracija Noro, Restavracija Kamin, Hiša Marica, Domačija Šajna.
Thermal Pannonian Slovenia: Hiša Denk, Gostilna Rajh, Gostilna Repovž, Galerija okusov, Pavus - Grad Tabor, Ošterija Debeluh, Domačija Vino Gaube, Tri lučke, Gostilna in pivnica Stari Pisker, Domačija Novak, Gostilna Šiker, Hiša Fink, Gostilna Francl, Gostilna Kunst, Restavracija Kodila, Restavracija Grad Otočec, Taverna Kupljen, Gostilna Ribič, Gostilna Grabar, Gostilna Šempeter, Gostilna Vovko, Restavracija Amon.
If many of those names look familiar then you’re the ideal person to take part in the awards, and thus shine some light on the places you enjoy going to most. The voting – which as of writing is all in Slovene – is open for the whole month of March and can be done at: www.the-slovenia.com/tsra.
The winners will be announced on 5 May, and reported here, with public votes accounting for 25% of the final result, and those from the Gastronomy Academy for 75%. And if you don’t know the restaurants in your region then start Googling and making plans – as all of them will offer something special.
