Guides and ideas for travelling in Slovenia, from the LetsVisit team.
Loading articles
Vegan Food in Ljubljana: Where to Eat Plant-Based
Vegan Food in Ljubljana: Where to Eat Plant-Based
Vegan food in Ljubljana: entirely plant-based restaurants, addresses, opening hours, reservations, dishes to try, and tips for families.
·12 min read
In Ljubljana, you'll most easily find vegan food in the old town and on both banks of the Ljubljanica river. There are several restaurants that cook exclusively plant-based, from an evening osteria in Gornji trg to a bistro serving weekday lunches. You'll also find juice bars with burgers and pies, and vegetarian kitchens that prepare vegan dishes daily. Below are addresses, opening hours, reservation policies, and a suggestion for a full day, so you won't have to guess where to eat.
In brief
For dinner, the most well-known address is the vegan osteria Veganika at Gornji trg 33, open Monday to Saturday from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
For lunch, good choices are Gaudi & Naan at Trubarjeva 7, which cooks only with plant-based ingredients, and the vegetarian restaurant Radha Govinda at Žibertova 23.
For breakfast or a quick snack, Barbarella Juicebar at Slovenska cesta 38 is open weekdays from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Reservations vary: Veganika does not accept them in summer, and at Ljubljana Castle, you must order the vegan menu in advance.
Sunday is the most difficult day, as several vegan establishments are closed then, so plan your Sunday meals in advance.
Why Ljubljana is vegan-friendly
Ljubljana is not a metropolis, but for its size, it offers a surprisingly diverse plant-based selection. The city's tourist organization notes that Ljubljana's vegan offerings are becoming richer and of higher quality: many establishments are entirely vegan, while others have vegan dishes on their regular menu. For visitors, this means two things. You don't have to search for a single "vegan" street, as establishments are spread throughout the center. You also don't have to choose between vegan food and local atmosphere, because many kitchens combine plant-based ingredients with Slovenian recipes.
If you're in the city longer or traveling elsewhere in the country, the directory of vegan restaurants by the Slovenian Vegan Society, which also has a mobile app, will come in handy. With it, you can find vegan-friendly establishments even outside Ljubljana.
Completely vegan restaurants in the city center
These kitchens do not use meat, dairy, or eggs at all, so you don't need to ask about ingredients when ordering. However, it's a good idea to ask about allergens such as nuts, gluten, and soy.
Veganika, dinner below the castle
Veganika is presented on its own website as a vegan osteria at Gornji trg 33, in one of the most beautiful streets of the old town, right below the castle hill. It is open Monday to Saturday from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and closed on Sundays. To book a table, call +386 71 228 718. Important information for summer visitors: from June to September, they do not accept reservations, so arrive early, preferably soon after opening.
In the background, a cobblestone street with colorful facades awaits you, so take a short stroll towards Levstikov trg or to the base of the funicular to the castle (about a 10-minute walk) before or after dinner.
Gaudi & Naan, plant-based and cosmopolitan
Gaudi & Naan at Trubarjeva 7 emphasizes on its official website that it uses exclusively plant-based ingredients. Trubarjeva is a lively street with small establishments, just a few minutes from Prešernov trg. They accept reservations by phone at +386 41 662 073, which is worthwhile if you are coming in a group or during peak lunch hours.
Bistro Maha, weekday lunch and tasting menu
Bistro Maha at Nazorjeva ulica 3 is a completely vegan bistro, known by locals primarily for weekday lunches. In the evening, it also offers multi-course tasting menus, but these are typically for private groups and require a reservation, so arrange the date directly with the restaurant. Nazorjeva is in the center, between Slovenska cesta and Kongresni trg, making the bistro a convenient choice if you are exploring Ljubljana Castle or museums in the morning.
Barbarella, from breakfast to elegant bistro
There are two establishments named Barbarella in Ljubljana. Barbarella Juicebar at Slovenska cesta 38 offers vegan pies, soups, salads, sandwiches, and burgers; it is open Monday to Friday from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. It's a good stop for an early breakfast or food to go, for example, before a trip to Bled. Barbarella Plant Bistro, according to the city's tourist organization, focuses on more elegant bistro dishes, making it suitable for a quieter dinner.
Vegashi and Grashka Deli, fusion and global flavors
Two more addresses mentioned by Visit Ljubljana provide variety. Vegashi Vegan Fusion combines Asian and Slovenian culinary traditions, while Grashka Deli creates flavors from all over the world using local or regional ingredients. Both are excellent choices if you've grown tired of classic salads and risottos after a few days of travel.
Vegetarian and classic restaurants with vegan dishes
Don't forget about establishments that are not exclusively vegan but know how to cook plant-based well. With them, you'll need to ask more often what's in the dish, so we'll tell you how to do that below.
Radha Govinda, flavors of the East
Radha Govinda at Žibertova 23 describes itself as a vegetarian restaurant, and its chefs are, in their own words, experts in vegetarian and vegan cuisine. It is open Monday to Saturday from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, making it primarily a lunch spot. If you come in a group of four or more people between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM, they recommend making a reservation. The establishment is slightly outside the immediate city center (in Šiška), which means a short ride by city bus or bike.
Strelec at Ljubljana Castle, vegan menu by order
If you want a special dinner with a view, Ljubljana Castle is an excellent choice, but with one important limitation. Restaurant Strelec on its seasonal menu asks that dietary sensitivities and habits be communicated at the time of reservation, and can only prepare a vegan menu with prior notice. So, don't count on it without advance notice. For couples planning a romantic evening, it is still one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the city.
Comparison at a glance
Schedules and rules are summarized from official restaurant websites and Visit Ljubljana. These may change, especially on holidays and during seasons, so check the establishment's website before visiting.
Establishment
Type of offering
Address
When to go
Reservation
Veganika
completely vegan osteria
Gornji trg 33
dinner, Mon–Sat 5:00 PM–10:00 PM
by phone, June–September no
Gaudi & Naan
only plant-based ingredients
Trubarjeva 7
lunch or dinner
by phone +386 41 662 073
Bistro Maha
completely vegan bistro
Nazorjeva ulica 3
weekday lunch
required for tasting menu
Barbarella Juicebar
vegan snacks, burgers, pies
Slovenska cesta 38
Mon–Fri 7:00 AM–8:00 PM
not needed
Radha Govinda
vegetarian, with vegan dishes
Žibertova 23
lunch, Mon–Sat 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
for 4 or more people between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM
Restaurant Strelec
fine dining at the castle
Ljubljana Castle
dinner
required, vegan menu by order
What to try: dishes and culinary experiences
Ljubljana's plant-based cuisine is not just a mixed salad. Visit Ljubljana describes an offering that combines global influences with Slovenian traditions. In addition to regular menus, the city occasionally hosts tasting evenings and workshops, such as kimchi preparation.
What to look for on the menu:
Fermented dishes. Tofu, tempeh, kimchi, and miso are common in Ljubljana's vegan kitchens. If you've only known them from the store until now, try them freshly prepared here.
Slovenian dishes in a plant-based version. Look for stews, buckwheat and millet dishes, štruklji or žlikrofi with fillings without cottage cheese. The offerings change with the season, so ask what's on the menu this week.
Asian fusion. Kitchens like Vegashi combine Asian techniques with local ingredients, which is a good choice for lovers of spicy dishes.
Burgers and pies to go. When you're in a hurry, juice bars and delis are a quick lunch solution for a bench by the Ljubljanica river.
Tasting menus. For a special occasion, a multi-course plant-based menu is the perfect way to discover the creativity of Ljubljana's chefs.
Plant-based cuisine is increasingly appearing in Europe where it was not previously expected, for example, as an aperitif before dinner. If you're interested in how Italians put together such a snack with a drink, check out ideas for a vegetarian aperitif. Many of these combinations can be quickly adapted into a fully vegan version, and Ljubljana's riverside wine bars and cafes can be similarly visited before dinner.
A Suggestion for a Vegan Day in Ljubljana
This plan is designed for a weekday when all mentioned establishments are open. Distances are short, and most of the journey can be done on foot.
8:00 AM, Breakfast (45 minutes). Start at Barbarella Juicebar on Slovenska cesta with a juice and a pie or sandwich.
9:00 AM, Old Town (2 hours). Walk across Congress Square to Triple Bridge and the market, then along Mestni trg towards Gornji trg.
11:30 AM, Ljubljana Castle (1 hour). Ascend to the castle on foot or by funicular. Go to the observation tower, from which you can see the Kamnik-Savinja Alps on a clear day.
1:00 PM, Lunch (1 hour). Descend to Bistro Maha on Nazorjeva or Gaudi & Naan on Trubarjeva.
3:00 PM, Tivoli Park or Ljubljanica (2 hours). Spend the afternoon relaxing in the park or taking a boat ride on the river.
5:30 PM, Dinner (1.5 hours). Arrive at Veganika soon after opening, and even earlier in summer, as they do not accept reservations then.
If you are in Ljubljana on a Sunday, reverse the plan: have a hearty lunch on Saturday, and for Sunday, get something for a picnic from a store or deli.
Lunch is easier than dinner. Children are hungry and patient in the middle of the day, and lunches in bistros and vegetarian restaurants are generally faster than evening menus.
Burgers and pies are a safe choice. If your child is picky, juice bars with burgers and sandwiches are less risky than fusion dishes with many spices.
Group of four or more? For example, at Radha Govinda, they advise making a reservation between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM, which can quickly add up for a family.
Watch out for allergens. Vegan kitchens often use nuts, sesame, and soy. If your child has an allergy, mention it when ordering and ask if a particular dish was prepared with them.
How to check if a dish is truly vegan
In entirely vegan establishments, it's simple. However, in vegetarian and classic restaurants, animal ingredients can be hidden where you least expect them. Before ordering, ask about:
dairy products, such as butter, cream, and cottage cheese, found in Slovenian cuisine in štruklji, soups, and dressings;
eggs, especially in homemade pasta, dumplings, and pastries;
honey, which can be found in dressings and desserts;
fish sauce, as traditional kimchi is often prepared with it;
gelatin in desserts and creams.
A quick question to the staff, such as "Is this dish free of milk, eggs, and honey?" or "Is this fully vegan?", usually clarifies doubts quickly. For restaurants that prepare a vegan menu only by request, such as Strelec at the castle, mention this when booking, not just at the table.
Our View on Vegan Ljubljana
When travelers ask Roka, our AI assistant, about vegan food in Ljubljana, they often aren't just looking for an address. They want to know where they can eat on a Sunday, where to go with three children at two in the afternoon, or where dinner will be special enough for an anniversary. A list of restaurants doesn't answer such questions, and the answer depends on your time and plan.
Therefore, we advise you not to plan by meals, but by the day. Ljubljana is compact: breakfast on Slovenska, lunch on Trubarjeva, and dinner below the castle are all within a short walk, with enough time in between for the river, market, and castle. The city is also a good starting point for trips to Bled, Postojna, or the Karst, where the choice of vegan food is more limited. So it's worth knowing in advance where you'll eat.
– Jaka
Plan with Roka
If you want a list tailored to your dates and preferences, ask Roka at LetsVisit, your AI travel assistant. Describe how much time you have, who you are traveling with, and what is important to you about food, and you will quickly get a suggested itinerary with restaurants and attractions. When you are ready, you can choose and book an activity for the rest of the day from among excursions, guided tours, and culinary experiences. Other Ljubljana establishments are also described on LetsVisit, such as Kekec Bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there enough vegan restaurants in Ljubljana for a multi-day visit?
Yes. In the city center, there are several entirely vegan establishments for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, in addition to vegetarian kitchens with vegan dishes. In three or four days, you can eat every meal at a different place without repeating yourself.
Where can I eat vegan on a Sunday?
Sunday is the most difficult day, as Veganika, Radha Govinda, and Barbarella Juicebar, for example, are closed then. Check the schedules of other establishments on their websites or in the directory of the Slovenian Vegan Society, otherwise prepare your meal in advance.
Do I need to reserve a table at a vegan restaurant?
It depends on the establishment and the season. Veganika does not accept reservations in summer, Gaudi & Naan accepts them by phone, and for tasting menus and the vegan menu at the castle, a reservation is essential. For groups, calling ahead is always a good idea.
Are vegan restaurants in Ljubljana suitable for children?
Mostly yes, especially at lunchtime. Burgers, pies, and sandwiches are good choices for picky eaters. For allergies to nuts or sesame, always mention this when ordering.
