Slovenia Food and Drink

Slovenia's national cuisine consists of simple fresh produce and has been influenced by its neighbours and occupiers, namely Austria, Italy and Hungary.

Soup is a typical starter followed by a pork, chicken or turkey dish with seasonal vegetables or salad. Each region has its own special dessert, but pancakes are also popular. As Germany and Austria supply the bulk of tourists in many parts, dishes such as sauerkraut, grilled sausage and apple strudel can be found on most menus too.

Specialities

• Potica: a circular cake with a variety of fillings - nuts, honey, cream, raisins and cinnamon amongst others
• Goulash: a stew of meat and vegetables popular in the Hungarian influenced eastern Prekmurje region
• Prekmurska Gibanica: a popular layer cake made with poppy seeds, raisins, apples and quark
•Nanos: a Slovenian hard cheese, it is one of many tasty varieties produced across the country
•Seafood: popular along the coast of Slovenia
•Bled cream cake: lashings of vanilla cream between two slices of pastry

Tipping

Rounding up is acceptable, though 10% is generally expected in city restaurants.

Drinking age

18.

Regional drinks

• Ganje: a potent brandy made from local fruit, most commonly blueberries
• Wine: Slovenia’s best kept secret is its outstanding wines that include whites, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Furmint and Rebula, and rich reds like Terrano

• Union: a popular Slovenian beer
• Lasko: another popular beer brewed in the eponymous town
• Žganje: Slovenian Schnapps, comes in flavours such as peach, pear, lemon, blueberry and even walnut.