In recent years, Ljubljana has become one of the most exciting culinary capitals in the region. The city is no longer just a pleasant destination for coffee, a walk along the Ljubljanica River, and a traditional Slovenian lunch; it is also a place where top-level signature cuisine, modern bistronomy, international influences, local ingredients, and Michelin recognition come together.
If you are looking for the best Michelin-awarded restaurants in Ljubljana in 2026, the selection of Best of Local 2026 finalists is an excellent starting point for discovering restaurants that stand out for their quality, personality, and culinary experience.
In the Michelin Awarded restaurants category within Ljubljana Food & Drinks, the finalists are: Landerik, Georgie bistro, Strelec, JAZ by Ana Roš, TaBar, Altrokè, AFTR, PEN klub, Sushimama, and B-restaurant at the InterContinental hotel.
Best of Local 2026 Finalists in the Michelin Awarded Restaurants Category
1. Landerik, chef Izidor Kržišnik
Landerik is one of those Ljubljana restaurants that connects the city with the countryside. Located in the old town, on Stari trg, its story is based on Slovenian ingredients, local producers, and a modern view of traditional local cuisine. Chef Izidor Kržišnik creates dishes that originate from the Slovenian culinary landscape, while never being limited by classic frameworks.
Landerik is not just a restaurant for dinner, but a culinary journey through Slovenia, where seasonality, traceability, and respect for ingredients play an important role. One of the restaurant’s special features is that, instead of a classic à la carte menu, it offers guests a more guided tasting experience. With its connection between local storytelling, youthful energy, and signature cuisine, Landerik is one of the most interesting finalists of Best of Local 2026.
2. Georgie bistro, chef Gregor Jelnikar
Georgie bistro is a contemporary Ljubljana bistronomy story that proves top-level cuisine does not have to be stiff or overly formal. The restaurant presents itself as a small place with big flavours, where the team led by chef Gregor Jelnikar creates a relaxed yet carefully considered culinary experience. His cuisine is based on seasonal ingredients, precision, and openness to different global influences.
Gregor Jelnikar is known for his interest in fermentation, preservation of ingredients, and a zero-waste approach, which gives his dishes additional depth. Georgie is suitable for guests who want a restaurant with Michelin recognition, but in a more urban, accessible, and lively setting. It is a place for those who appreciate creativity, good wine, a modern bistro atmosphere, and dishes that surprise without unnecessary exaggeration.
3. Strelec, chef Igor Jagodic
Restaurant Strelec is one of Ljubljana’s most recognizable culinary destinations, thanks in part to its exceptional location at Ljubljana Castle. A visit to Strelec is therefore always more than just dinner — it is a combination of views, history, architecture, and top gastronomy. Chef Igor Jagodic has created a refined culinary style based on precision, seasonality, and intense flavours.
Michelin describes Strelec’s ambience as an elegant dining room with sgraffito paintings from the 1950s, inspired by local folk songs, giving the restaurant a special cultural and local identity. Strelec is the right choice for a special occasion, a romantic dinner, a business meal, or a gourmet experience for visitors who want to discover Ljubljana at the highest culinary level. Among the Best of Local 2026 finalists, it stands as a symbol of Ljubljana fine dining.
4. JAZ by Ana Roš, Alex Iacoviello
JAZ by Ana Roš is one of the most talked-about newer culinary stories in Ljubljana. Behind the concept is Ana Roš, the internationally renowned Slovenian chef, while the Ljubljana restaurant is led by chef Alex Iacoviello, who also gained experience in the Hiša Franko team. JAZ is not classic fine dining, but a more relaxed, youthful, urban concept that Ana Roš describes as “young dining.”
The restaurant combines the recognizable philosophy of Hiša Franko, high-quality Slovenian ingredients, the proximity of Ljubljana’s market, and more everyday dishes such as focaccia, pasta, salads, and interpretations of bistro classics. The special feature of JAZ is precisely that it brings top culinary thinking closer to a wider circle of guests. It is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to experience Ana Roš’s signature in a more accessible, urban, and relaxed Ljubljana form.
5. TaBar, chef Jakob Pintar
TaBar is a restaurant for those who enjoy a different approach to high-end cuisine. For years, it has been a place where quality ingredients, technique, and a relaxed atmosphere come together in a highly recognizable experience. Chef Jakob Pintar creates cuisine that respects the whole ingredient — whether meat, vegetables, or other elements of a dish, it is important that nothing is wasted and that every part has value.
TaBar has also been recognized with Michelin’s Bib Gourmand distinction, which highlights good value for money. The restaurant’s special feature is that it presents high-level cuisine in a less restrained, more lively, and sociable way. It is an excellent choice for an evening with friends, a tasting experience, or for guests who want dishes with a strong authorial signature, but without excessive formality.
6. Altrokè
Altrokè brings a distinct Istrian and Mediterranean story to the old part of Ljubljana. The restaurant is located on Stari trg, in one of the most beautiful parts of the city centre, and builds its identity on the flavours of Istria, aromatic herbs, fish, meat, olive oil, and a relaxed Mediterranean feeling. The name Altrokè comes from the Istrian dialect and roughly expresses confirmation or enthusiastic approval — a kind of “of course” — which nicely captures the character of the restaurant: confident, warm, hospitable, and full of flavour.
Michelin describes Altrokè as a restaurant inspired by Istria and the Mediterranean, where dishes are complemented by fruit, aromatic herbs, and other characteristic flavours of the region. Altrokè is an excellent choice for those who want a Michelin-selected restaurant with a sunnier, more Mediterranean character and a strong emphasis on good wine.
7. AFTR, chef Jorg Zupan
AFTR is one of Ljubljana’s most contemporary and bold culinary concepts. Chef Jorg Zupan is known to the wider public from the restaurant Atelje, which was one of Ljubljana’s important Michelin stories. With AFTR, he created a more relaxed, urban, and sharing-oriented format. The restaurant is based on plates designed for sharing, a strong authorial signature, and the idea that top cuisine can be lively, open, and less formal.
In his work, Jorg Zupan is known for combining techniques from different culinary environments with Slovenian ingredients, giving AFTR an international yet locally grounded character. This is a place for guests who want energy, good wines, interesting textures, and dishes they can taste together. Among the Best of Local 2026 finalists, AFTR represents the new Ljubljana bistronomy.
8. PEN klub, chef Mojmir Šiftar
PEN klub is a restaurant with a special cultural and historical note. It is located on Tomšičeva Street, in a space that, even through its name, carries literary and social heritage. Today, under the leadership of chef Mojmir Šiftar, PEN klub combines retro elegance, seasonal cuisine, and a modern approach to local traditions. Michelin highlights that the restaurant takes guests on a “culinary journey” following the rhythm of the seasons, while upgrading local tradition with occasional international influences.
A special feature of PEN klub is also its selection of tasting menus and wine pairings, making it suitable for longer, more thoughtful evenings. This finalist is for guests looking for a restaurant with personality, a calm ambience, a sense of story, and cuisine that is not only technically refined but also culturally rooted.
9. Sushimama, chef Itamae Hiroki Ishikawa
Sushimama is one of the most distinctive restaurants among the finalists, bringing Japanese precision, discipline, and elegance to Ljubljana’s Michelin selection. Chef Itamae Hiroki Ishikawa is known for his classic and traditional approach to sushi preparation, where the cut, rice temperature, freshness of the ingredient, and balance of flavour all matter. Sushimama is not interesting only because of sushi, but because of the entire preparation ritual, where guests can observe the mastery behind the counter.
Taste Slovenia describes Ishikawa as a master of authentic Japanese sushi, creating a discreet yet very precise experience with mild and delicate Japanese flavours. It is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to experience something different in Ljubljana — away from European bistronomy and fine dining — something more minimalist, calm, technical, and completely focused on the quality of execution.
10. B-restaurant, InterContinental, chef Komen Bakić
B-restaurant at the InterContinental hotel is one of the most beautiful restaurants for anyone who wants dinner with a view. Located high above the city, it offers panoramic views of Ljubljana’s centre and the castle through large windows. Michelin highlights its 180-degree view, modern design, and open kitchen, which creates a dynamic dinner ambience. Chef Komen Bakić leads a kitchen that combines international elegance, Mediterranean influences, and regional ingredients.
Visit Ljubljana describes the open kitchen concept as an opportunity for guests to gain insight into the culinary creativity of chef Komen Bakić, while the offer connects traditional Mediterranean dishes with Slovenian wines. B-restaurant is an excellent choice for a business dinner, a romantic evening, a visit with foreign guests, or anyone who wants to combine a Michelin-recommended experience with one of the most beautiful views in Ljubljana.
Why Visit Michelin-Awarded Restaurants in Ljubljana?
Michelin-selected and Michelin-awarded restaurants in Ljubljana prove that the Slovenian capital is exceptionally diverse in culinary terms. In the same city, you can find a castle fine dining experience, Japanese sushi with masterful precision, Mediterranean-Istrian cuisine, urban bistronomy, a restaurant with a view, a literary-culinary story, and modern concepts signed by some of the strongest names in Slovenian gastronomy.
Michelin’s guide to Ljubljana restaurants includes Restaurant Strelec as well as AFTR, Landerik, B-Restaurant, Altrokè, Sushimama, Georgie Bistro, JAZ by Ana Roš, and PEN klub.
The Best of Local 2026 finalists are interesting not only for gourmets, but also for visitors who want to discover the character of Ljubljana through food: its creativity, openness, respect for local identity, and confident connection with international influences.
Best of Local 2026: Michelin Awarded Restaurants Finalists
The finalists in the Michelin Awarded restaurants category for Best of Local 2026 are:
Landerik, Georgie bistro, Strelec, JAZ by Ana Roš, TaBar, Altrokè, AFTR, PEN klub, Sushimama, and B-restaurant InterContinental.
Each of these restaurants represents a different face of Ljubljana’s high-end culinary scene: from Slovenian seasonal cuisine and castle fine dining to Japanese discipline, Mediterranean warmth, and modern bistronomy.
If you are looking for the best Michelin-awarded restaurants in Ljubljana in 2026, the Best of Local finalists are an excellent guide. Ljubljana offers restaurants that are interesting not only because of their recognitions, but above all because of the stories, people, ingredients, and experiences they create. Each finalist has its own character: some impress with views, others with intimate ambience, some with bold signature cuisine, and others with flawless technique.
