When you go shopping in Slovenia, the supermarket shelves won’t make you dream at first glance. But if you look carefully, you’ll find some good traditional Slovenian products, made on the country’s farms.
Here’s a short list of great shopping ideas to help you discover the culinary delights of Slovenia.
Discover the most interesting products to buy in a Slovenian supermarket.
9 products to try during your stay in Slovenia
The Slovenian word you need to know is “domače“: “locally produced”. To taste good local products, look for this word on Slovenian products. Domace will also come in handy when shopping at the Ljubljana market (a must-see)
Delicious Slovenian apple juice.
Juice pressed in Slovenia. Delicious! Try several different kinds. It’s a national drink here. You’ll also find apple juice just about everywhere in Slovenia. You can also buy 1.5-litre plastic bottles of apple juice, which you’ll find at several market stalls in Ljubljana.
Tip: A great way to keep cool in Ljubljana in summer. Delicious juices are also available for €1.60/L all day long and fresh from the vending machine located at the Ljubljana market (well, when it’s working). Try “mama Jabolcnik” apple juice.
Kefir replaces yoghurt
Kefir tastes like a cross between cottage cheese and velvety yoghurt. It’s excellent for your intestines, according to the doctor Giulia Enders, who wrote the bestseller “Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ “. You’ll find it in all Slovenian supermarkets, in discounters like LIDL and HOFER, and also in all farms that produce dairy products. I drink it every morning and I love it. It’s replaced the yoghurts I used to eat in France.
What to look for: I like Kefir iz Posocja , which is available almost everywhere in Mercator supermarkets throughout the country (€1.40 for 0.5 litre). Try it with a little lemon too.
Orehova Potica – A traditional walnut cake
A dry rolled walnut cake. Orehoca potica (walnut potica) is one of Slovenia’s most emblematic desserts. Traditionally served on special occasions such as Christmas, Easter and weddings, this rolled brioche is filled with walnut paste. It’s not really my favourite because it’s often too dry, but it’s an important cake in Slovenian gastronomy and one that you should try during your stay.
Prekmurska Gibanica – another cake to discover
A cake from Prekmurje, a region in north-east Slovenia. But be warned, it’s really hearty and you’ll need to be very hungry if you order it as a dessert. It’s best served as a snack. Gibanica originates from the Prekmurje region (near Hungary). This layered dessert is made with successive layers of cottage cheese, poppy seeds, walnuts and apples, separated by sheets of pastry. It’s a must-try dessert for those who want to discover Slovenia’s sweet gastronomic soul, but I’m not a big fan.
Try it in Ljubljana: you’ll find it in the Gujzina restaurant in the centre, which specialises in the cuisine of this region. You can also find it at Toskana in the covered market or at Kodila Gourmet just next to the central market.
Bucno Olje – Pumpkin seed oil
This dark green, almost black oil is made from roasted pumpkin seeds, which give it an intense, slightly nutty flavour. Very popular in Slovenian cuisine, you can use it in salads and soups. In my opinion, it’s one of the best souvenirs to bring back from Slovenia and, above all, to give as a gift.
As a dessert! You can also enjoy it on vanilla ice cream. Delicious and your hosts will have great difficulty guessing the product you used in your dessert.
If you have to bring back just one souvenir from Slovenia, for me it’s pumpkin seed oil.
Good to know: Pumpkin seed oil has many benefits. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, bučno olje is appreciated as much for its taste as for its health benefits. It’s a culinary treasure trove that represents Slovenian craftsmanship.
Prsut, Slovenian cured ham
Cured ham, a true Slovenian passion
Smoked ham is a delicious Slovenian speciality from the Karst region, where a strong wind dries out the delicious ham. You must try it during your stay in Slovenia. Don’t hesitate to pay the price for the best Slovenian ham.
Pršut is particularly famous in the Karst region (next to Italy). It is carefully prepared using traditional methods: the meat is salted by hand, then dried in the open air for several months, under the influence of the region’s dry winds, the burja (a strong, violent wind). The result is a ham with an intense flavour, lightly salted and delicately scented. Pršut is often served in thin slices, accompanied by homemade bread and local cheese on a large wooden plate.
Ajdovi zganci – to taste in the mountain pastures
Delicious buckwheat seeds to be enjoyed in the mountains or in traditional inns. I just love them! And afterwards, you don’t feel bloated, you’re ready to take on the summits of the Julian Alps. You can discover them in velika Planina in the inns where you can eat.
Ajdovi žganci is very popular in the country’s rural areas (you’ll love it in the mountain huts). This rustic dish is prepared by boiling water, then adding buckwheat flour and mixing until a thick, grainy consistency is obtained.
Ajdovi žganci are usually served with richly flavoured dishes such as stews, fermented cabbage or Slovenian sausage (kranjska klobasa). Traditionally, they are also sprinkled with ocvirki (small pieces of grilled bacon) to add a touch of crunch and flavour.
8. Kilso mleko – (sour yoghurt)
Sour milk to be enjoyed chilled in mountain refuges. It’s very similar to yoghurt. You can also try it in the mountain pastures of Velika Planina. Not very surprising, but local.
Kislo mleko is made from raw or pasteurised milk, and ferments naturally thanks to lactic bacteria, giving it a creamy texture and a distinctly tangy flavour. In Slovenia’s Alpine regions, where it is particularly popular, kislo mleko is often eaten as is, especially during the summer months, as it is refreshing and nourishing.
This fermented milk is often served as a main course with žganci (try it out on the magnificent Velika Planina plateau). Rich in probiotics, it is also prized for its beneficial effects on the intestinal flora and for its ability to invigorate after a day outdoors.
Kremsnita – the dessert of Lake Bled
This emblematic dessert from Lake Bled is a must-try when you’re there. You can buy it in supermarkets, but it’s not nearly as good. Use my good addresses around the lake to try it. My top tip is the magnificent Belvedere pavilion, which you can discover in this article listing the secret spots around Lake Bled. It’s expensive, but it’s a great place to stay and the view is splendid.
Kremšnita is one of Slovenia’s must-try pastries, particularly famous in the town of Bled, where it has become an emblematic speciality. This dessert is made up of layers of light, crisp puff pastry, topped with a generous layer of vanilla custard and whipped mousse, creating a perfect contrast between softness and crunch.
History: Invented in the 1950s at the Park Hotel in Bled, kremšnita is served in large, generous squares, creamy and dusted with icing sugar.
Also worth trying: Bucna semena: roasted and salted pumpkin seeds to enjoy as an aperitif. Delicious!
Buy direct from Slovenian farmers
In the Slovenian countryside, you’ll find that many locals display a sign at the entrance to their home. This means that they are selling their produce: apples, eggs, honey, herbal teas, wine… During your stay, stop off to stock up on good local produce.
Worth knowing: In the articles on Bled and Piran, you’ll find a good place to fill your trunk with local produce.
Bon appétit and enjoy your culinary stay in Slovenia!