Restaurants

The restaurant is decorated with a traditional Turkish decor; throw rugs, seats, various cultural artefacts and even the staff themselves wear traditional garb.

Besides offering meat and vegetarian dishes, they host belly dancing performances, sometimes a fortune-teller and even culinary delights with explanations. This typically takes place in the evening. As it should be, one also has an opportunity to smoke some Narghilé – the famous Turkish pipe.

During the day, until 15:00, a three course lunch is served for only € 7. It is not uncommon to smell Turkish-style coffee wafting out of the typical Slovenian home, however in the bars and cafes it is typically espresso that is served. Perhaps this is why Yildiz Han is so liked by locals here in Ljubljana. Here can you get what we call Turkish coffee.

The best is to sit outside in the summer garden, which is already operating.

Maximarket is the first department store in Slovenia. It was established in the year 1971, when Maximarket first opened its doors and later became one of the biggest department stores in former Yugoslavia. For over more than forty years, Maximarket has taken place in people’s hearts and it is nowadays simply known as Maxi.

Visitors of Ljubljana can find Maxi right in the heart of the city center. The building itself has more than 14.000 m2 of shopping area and its interior is a fine example of socialist architecture. Apart from numerous shops, one can find many bars and restaurants inside, ranging from very affordable buffets to expensive à la carte restaurants, where you will be served with top quality Slovenian wine and special foreign cuisine.

Because of its position, Maxi remains one of the key points in the city, where residents and visitors meet, socialize and enjoy the pulse of the city. As people, who live in Ljubljana, would say: Let’s meet in Maxi!

Restaurant Plato is an upscale restaurant, yet they hold very affordable prices. The reason for this is simple – Restaurant Plato is located in a small and central business quarter. People in suits are always in a rush, but from time to time, they need to stop and grab a bite – and since majority of these business men are financial advisors or brokers, they are always calculating prices and trying to save every cent. Restaurant Plato offers them hot meals for cool prices.

Besides good and affordable meals, Restaurant Plato offers spacious, sophisticated and a modern culinary interior. If you visit Ljubljana in the summer or spring time, you will be able to enjoy the sun on their large terrace on the first floor, where you will be able to see Ljubljana’s Nebotičnik on one and the Alps on the other side. This magnificent view over a glass of fine Slovenian wine, makes Restaurant Plato worth paying a visit! Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

Located not in the very core of the city, this restaurant is a unique one. I come here after my lectures, which are very close by, to drink a coffee with friends. But sometimes when I have enough time I let myself be spoiled with delicious food. It is a real wild west experience eating there, because inside it is decorated in a typical saloon style, with massive wooden bar, rifles and trophies on the walls.

Wild West Saloon serves Mexican, Mediterranean and especially American food: hamburgers, T-bone and other kind of steaks, pastas, chimichangas, soups, salads and desserts. As I mentioned before they serve really good espresso and from spring till autumn, afternoon sun shines directly at you (in summer this can be annoying) and colors the terrace orange. On Wednesdays and Thursdays from late spring till late summer they roast pork on a spit. It tastes very good and what is better to drink with this than Union beer?

Smarna gora is a hill at the most northern part of Ljubljana. It’s a butte and looks like two humps of camel. You can reach it with city bus number 8 (Gameljne). The bus drives in 10-20 minute period.

There are many ways to reach the top of Smarna gora. There are paths that are a bit steep, but take only 20 minutes. There are also more gentle paths, which are most of the time full of climbers, especially on Sundays. But if you are not walking on the main paths, you can relax and enjoy the fresh air.

Smarna gora has two peaks. Smarna gora and Grmada. The first peak is the popular one and is full of guests. On this peak you will also find an inn called Ledinek. Here you can buy some typical Slovenian dishes, a cup of tea or a beer. It has a nice view on Ljubljana, especially when the weather is nice.

Grmada is a located a bit higher and only has a bench on the top, so it doesn’t have so many visitors. It’s better if you would just like to relax, read a book or study.