Burek is a Balkan speciality that is a big hit in Ljubljana. You’ll find it in bakeries and small specialist shops. This flaky, cheese-filled turnover can be used for lunch, dinner, snacks, breakfast or even as a “wonderful sponge” in the early hours of the morning when you’ve had too much to drink.
In short, in Slovenia, as elsewhere in the Balkans, you can enjoy bureks at any time of day.
The most popular stalls in Ljubljana are open 24 hours a day. Traditionally, burek is served with half a litre of delicious unsweetened liquid yoghurt, as the two go very well together.
There are three main types of burek
When you order your burek, you’ll need to choose your side (the filling for your burek)! Sirov burek (cheese burek) is the best-selling variety. It’s also the one I recommend. Alternatively, you can order a mesni burek (meat burek), but in that case don’t try to find out too much about the composition of the minced meat. The third variety is pizza burek, a pizza-flavoured burek. The list goes on and on, as there are also bureks with spinach, hot apples, etc. Your burek will be served to you in a greasy wrapper.
A cheap streetfood snack
One of the great things about burek is the price: 3 euros! And because the bureks are so big, you won’t be hungry once you’ve finished. The burek is a very economical solution if you want to dine or eat cheaply in Ljubljana. The star of Balkan street food is also ideal for a hearty lunch on the go.
A never-ending ballet of cars parks in front of Nobel Burek, the “number one”!
Nobel Burek is the place where I recommend you go for the first burek of your life. An institution open 24 hours a day! Whatever the time of day or night, you’ll come across customers waiting in front of the counter. It’s a Balkan atmosphere, with hungry drivers of black BMWs and Audis double-parked to collect their burek.
The bureks are kept warm in large ovens with drawers so that they can be served to you warm. Thanks to the high turnover rate, the bureks are fresh. Nobel Burek also serves beef and chicken kebabs.
Olimpija Burek, since 1979
Not far from Nobel Burek and to the north of the old centre is another Ljubljan institution, Olimpija Burek, which has been serving triangle-shaped bureks since 1979.
Olimpija Burek, a burek institution for 45 years!
If you go there for breakfast, try Olimpija Burek’s apple burek, which is good and hearty.
Tip : The street in front of these two establishments is not very pleasant. So, if you want to enjoy your burek in peace and quiet, head back towards Preseren Square (Ljubljana’s central square) and walk along the riverbank to the left of the square.
My top addresses for a burek in Ljubljana
Nobel Burek – Miklošičeva cesta 30
Olimpija Burek – Slovenska cesta 58