Here’s an excellent piece of advice that I find really hard to pass on, but as it’s so important to the success of your holiday, I’m devoting a whole article to it.
The first thing to understand is that Slovenian cafés are different from French cafés.
They are modelled on Balkan cafés. It is on the terraces of these cafés that the social life and the Slovenian dolce vita take place. I don’t see enough tourists on café terraces and when I do, they behave as they would in their own country, which is a mistake.
The 11 pleasant characteristics of Slovenian cafés.
- You get served very quickly.
- These cafés are very quiet.
- The tables are well spaced out.
- The seats are comfortable.
- The lights are dimmed in the evening.
- Prices are low for coffee and beer.
- The beers are always served very cold (sometimes in a glass put in the freezer in summer).
- The cappuccinos are always very good, cheap and popular with Slovenians.
- You can stay as long as you like with a simple coffee.
- They really are everywhere (in the countryside, on the outskirts, in the tennis courts, in the mountains, etc.)
- They are as popular with men as they are with women.
A break during your holiday
Slovenians use these cafés to take a real, relaxing break during their day, and you should do the same, as a day of sightseeing from 9am to 8pm is often exhausting. During your stay, I strongly advise you to take one or two breaks each day on the terrace of one of these Slovenian cafés. You’ll see them all over the country as there are so many of them.
I’ve never done an activity with my Slovenian friends without them offering to have a coffee too.
Take a real break. Make yourself comfortable, place your order and relax for at least 45 minutes. Remember that you don’t need to leave your table quickly like in France once you’ve finished your drink or to recommend it.
Take a real break. Don’t pull out your smartphone as we all do. Look at the passers-by, observe Slovenian life, read a paperback book, chat with your friends or family.
In short, take a real break that lasts a long time before setting off on new Slovenian adventures.
Cafés really are everywhere in Slovenia
You’ll find them everywhere. In Slovenia, wherever there’s a little traffic, there’s a café. You’ll find cafés on the outskirts of Ljubljana. You’ll also find them in small villages. On the Slovenian coast, there are plenty along the Adriatic, and so on. You’ll soon get into the habit of stopping off to recharge your batteries, even when you don’t fancy a coffee. You stop there to take a break, not because you fancy a drink – that’s a secondary consideration.
Very useful terraces by the sea
There are no sandy beaches in Slovenia, and you really shouldn’t spend days by the sea like you do in France for example. You need to make use of these terraces facing the sea to have a good time on the Slovenian coast. In the morning, have your cappuccino with the locals. During the day, have a coffee after lunch or an iced coffee. Leave the restaurant terrace for that of a café next door. All my friends do this here.
Don’t use the coffee machine in your hotel or accommodation, take it outside!
Make sure you place your order quickly.
Slovenians know what they’re going to have before they even sit down. There’s no need to look at the menu, you won’t be asked about prices and the offer is classic, the same everywhere. As soon as you are seated, the waiter will ask you what you want. You must have thought about this before sitting down, otherwise you’ll break the well-oiled machine of Slovenian-style service. The waiter will be slow to return and you won’t be served quickly. You’re disrupting the Slovenian coffee experience.
What to order
Like the Slovenians, order cappuccinos for €2.50, or an espresso or machiato (espresso with a little milk). If it’s hot, order a Kava z mlekom cez led (iced latte). Otherwise, order a local beer (Lasko or Union) on draught (0.33l or 0.5l) or the classic fanta, coca, etc., or a tea.
A macchiato.
Fresh local Union beer
Cappuccino
A kavo z mlekom cez led (iced latte)
In the countryside
You’ll come across caféson country lanes, and you should stop there often. You’ll always be made to feel welcome and this is where Slovenian life in the countryside takes place, so keep this in mind when travelling around Slovenia. Take these breaks as they will give you a real insight into Slovenia and its local life. Don’t look for fancy cafés, 80s yougo style will do just fine.
No coffee in the mountains
On the other hand, don’t order coffee in the mountains or in mountain huts. They’re no good. It’s better to have herbal tea or a nice cold beer.