Gourmet's guide to Bratislava

Slovak food is hearty, typical of a country with strong rural roots. It is heavy on meat (especially pork), potatoes, dumplings, thick sauces and cheeses. Salads are not traditional – but you will find them in restaurants in bigger cities. Try soup or a meat/cheese appetizer. Lunch is traditionally the largest meal of the day, with dinner on the lighter side.

If you decide to try the hearty Slovak cuisine, Prasna Basta Restaurant on Zamocnika or Modra Hviezda on Beblaveho might be the places for you. The truly Slovak dinner should start and sometimes also end with a truly Slovak aperitif. Have a shot of Borovicka, the traditional juniper brendy. As for the soup try Kapustnica, the heavy cabbage soup with pieces of smoked sausage and mushrooms. As the main course, go for Bryndzove Halusky, considered to be the Slovak national meal. It is Gnocchi-style potato dumplings topped with sheep’s cheese and pieces of fried bacon. Also do not forget to try the delicious wines from southern Slovakia.

Unless you fall in love with the Slovak cuisine, you might also want to check some of the Bratislava ethnic restaurants, e.g. the trendy and truly Italian Paparazzi Ristorante, the Japanese Sushi bar Kikaku, the Spanish Corrida de Torros on Laurinska, the French Restaurant Ludwig, spicy Hacienda Mexicana or the gourmet Jewish Chez David.

Traditional Slovak dishes

  • Bryndzove halusky
    Potato and flour dumplings, covered with melted fresh sheep cheese, lard and bacon.
  • Ostiepok and parenica
    Smoked sheep cheeses.
  • Hus s loksami
    Goose meat and liver with potato pancakes.
  • Zemiakove placky
    Pancakes made from grated potatoes with spices (marjoram, caraway seed and garlic).
  • Kapustnica
    Sauerkraut soup with smoked sausage, mushrooms, garlic and plums.
  • Makovnik
    Poppy-seed and nut roll (cake)

Bratislava also offers several trendy restaurants following the latest culinary trends of the international cuisine, including the stylish Lebowski Restaurant, the two sister restaurants
Mezzo Mezzo and Tempus Fungit and last but not least, the re-opened Le Monde considered to be the top spot in the city.

For Pizza try Pizza Mizza on Tobrucka offering the largest pizza in town or Pizza House on Hviezdoslavovo namestie.

List of interesting restaurants in Bratislava

Restaurant Messina
If you don’t stay in The Hotel Marrols, you should at least have dinner in the hotel’s Italian restaurant, which is a visual treat with its stylish decoration and a gastronomic treat with its variety of homemade pasta dishes, salads, fish, poultry and meat. The buffet breakfast with an enormous choice of hot and cold food makes a great start to the day.

Ludwig
Venturska 7
A stylish restaurant tucked away in a graceful court yard in the centre of the old town – French food with Slovak slant. Open from 11am to midnight Tel 02/54 64 82 84

Mezzo Mezzo
Rybarska Brana, 9
A new and very chic Italian-style restaurant in the heart of the old town. Open 9am –1am. No need to book, the prices reduce the demand!

Paparazzi
Laurinska 1 A popular Italian restaurant among well-healed locals, in spite of its unassuming looks.
Open 10am-1am
Tel 02/54 64 79 71

Tempus Fugit
Sedlarska 5
One of the most beautiful restaurants in Bratislava, you can either dine in the 15th century vaults, in a covered atrium with arcade or on the balcony. The best table is the glass one covering the well. Good, reasonably sophisticated food. Open 10am-1am
Tel 02/54 41 43 57

1st Slovak Pub www.slovakpub.sk
14-room restaurant and pub (each room representing different period of history) with live accordian music Tues- Fri 6-7 pm. Traditional Slovak dishes.

Auspic Cafe
This restaurant located on the other side of the Danube River on Viedenska cesta 24 (close to UFO restaurant/New Bridge) has a good view of the Danube and Castle.

Bar Za Operou
www.barzaoperou.sk/england.htm
A cozy little restaurant near the Opera House for family dinners, business lunches and occasional parties. The simple setting will make anyone feel at home.

Caribic’s
www.caribics.sk
Fish and seafood

Chez David
www.chezdavid.sk
Jewish, kosher cuisine

Estremo
www.estremo.sk
For Euro-modern good food, pleasant service and the right price, just take a 5-minute taxi-ride to just behind the Congress Hall Istropolis. Chic, sleek decor.

Hotel Devin’s restaurant
www.hoteldevin.sk
French cuisine

Hradna vinaren
Eclectic international cuisine, located inside Bratislava Castle

Le Monde
www.lemonde.sk
French cuisine, steak and fish

Leberfinger
www.leberfinger.sk
Austro-Hungarian cuisine

Ludwig
www.ludwig.sk
French cuisine, extensive selection of wines

Medusa
www.medusarestaurant.sk
Italian cuisine served in front, French cuisine served in rear

Mezzo Mezzo
www.mezzo.sk
International, expensive

Modry Dom
www.modrydom.sk
Located 20 minutes from downtown by taxi, on the outskirts of Bratislava in a former wine village – Vajnory (pronounce it Vine-o-ree), close to Zlate Piesky Lake and Vajnory Lake, now part of the city. After a wonderful meal and wine tasting, treat yourself to one of the best ice cream cones in Slovakia at a parlor just in front of MODRY DOM.

Hotel Marrol’s restaurant
www.hotelmarrols.sk
International and Italian cuisine, intimate and quiet setting

Pannonia
www.pannonia.sk
International cuisine, large portions

Paparazzi
www.paparazzi.sk
Italian cuisine, one of the most popular restaurants in the city

Perugia
www.perugia.sk
Slovak cuisine

Preego
www.preego.sk
Modern, light cuisine

Romeo & Giulette Restaurant at Hotel Danube
www.hoteldanube.sk Authentic Italian cuisine

SAS Carlton Radisson – Opera Brasserie
www.radissonsas.com
French cuisine, superb 7-course Valentine’s Day menu

Savoyka
Haute cuisine with an innovative menu, voted the best restaurant in Bratislava by Trend Top Guide. Located on one side of Radisson SAS Carlton Hotel.

Slovenska Restauracia
www.slovrest.com
Award-winning, traditional Slovak cuisine with an extensive wine list. Live piano music in a tranquil, classy atmosphere. Great food and excellent service.

Steam & Coffee
www.steamandcoffee.sk
Slovak and international cuisine. A chain of restaurants

Sv. Hubert Restaurant at Hotel Dukla
www.hoteldukla.sk
Original Slovak and international dishes, extensive wine list

Tarpan
www.tarpan23.sk
Eastern European cuisine, named after wild horse that roamed Eastern & Central Europe

Tempus Fugit
www.tempusfugit.sk
International cuisine, one of the most beautiful restaurants in the city

Traja musketieri
www.trajamusketieri.sk
French cuisine, French Inn atmosphere