Slovenia Gets Its First-Ever Michelin Stars

Announced this week, the new guide recognizes 52 restaurants, spanning locations from the country’s capital city, Ljubljana, to the stunning lakeside town of Bled. Six establishments earned stars, while nine received Bib Gourmands and 37 were awarded with Michelin Plates.

“With its many influences and varied terroirs, the talent and creativity of its chefs, the exceptional quality of its local products and the focus on sustainability, Slovenia is home to restaurants that fully deserve to be discovered,” Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides, said in a statement.

Although the guide's debut was initially planned for March 2020, it was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It marks Michelin's first launch event since "the beginning of the health crisis," per the announcement.

While Michelin didn’t award any restaurants with the three-star distinction, one restaurant did earn two stars—chef Ana Roš' Hiša Franko in Kobarid, which is currently ranked 38 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Roš (pictured above) was featured in season two, episode five of Chef’s Table, and won “World's Best Female Chef ” in the 2017 World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards. Michelin said the self-taught chef’s unique menu “gives pride of place to regional products and offers an exceptional dining experience of wonderfully balanced flavours.” Roš also released her first book, Sun and Rain, this past spring.

The one-star category, on the other hand, saw five restaurants: Atelje in Ljubljana, Dam in Nova Gorica, Vila Podvin in Radovljica, Pri Lojzetu in Vipava, and Hiša Denk in Zgornja Kungota. You can find the full list of restaurants below, courtesy of Michelin, as well as on the official Michelin website.

Hiša Franko–Kobarid

Atelje–Ljubljana

Dam–Nova Gorica

Vila Podvin–Radovljica

Pri Lojzetu–Vipava

Hiša Denk–Zgornja Kungota

Etna–Divaccia

Ruj–Dol pri Vogljah

Jožef–Idrija

Na Gradu–Ljubljana

Rajh–Murska Sobota

Mahorčič–Rodik

Gostilna Repovž–Šentjanž

Gostišče Grič–Horjul

Evergreen–Smlednik

Julijana–Bled

Ošterija Debeluh–Brežice

Gostilna Vovko–Brusnice

Gostilna Francl–Celje

Dvor Jezeršek–Cerklje na Gorenjskem

Gredič–Dobrovo v Brdih

Hiša Torkla–Izola

Marina–Izola

Gostilna za Gradom–Koper

Gostilna Krištof–Kranj

Pavus–Laško

AS–Ljubljana

B-Restaurant–Ljubljana

CUBO–Ljubljana

Harfa–Ljubljana

JB–Ljubljana

Maxim–Ljubljana

Monstera Bistro–Ljubljana

Separé–Ljubljana

Shambala–Ljubljana

Strelec–Ljubljana

Sushimama–Ljubljana

Valvas'or–Ljubljana

Vander–Ljubljana

MAK–Maribor

Sedem–Maribor

Calypso–Nova Gorica

Pikol–Nova Gorica

Hiša Fink–Novo mesto

Otočec Castle–Otočec na Krki

Galerija okusov–Petrovče

Stara Gostilna–Piran

Rizibisi–Portorož

Sophia–Portorož

Hiša Krasna–Sežana

Danilo–Škofja Loka

Kendov Dvorec–Spodnja Idrija