Here are my top addresses in Koper, a town I often visit.
There are lots of good places to eat in Koper. You can eat like the locals and discover the gastronomy of the Slovenian coast. The food on the Adriatic is different from what you’ll find in the mountains. Koper is a lively town and, thanks to this, the culinary offer is excellent. The restaurants are aimed at locals, not tourists. I think that’s always better. Thanks to this, Koper is currently the best place to eat on the Slovenian coast. As I often come to Koper to enjoy the sea, I’ve tried all the following addresses several times.
The chic Capra restaurant
Capra is a good address in Koper. It’s beautifully decorated and the food is pretty good. For Slovenia, it’s an upmarket restaurant with dishes ranging from €17 to €28 (even for pasta and risottos) but the quality is often there. Particular attention is paid to service. The terrace is pleasant. The desserts are well presented. If the weather is not fine, take advantage of the beautiful interior decoration.
Capra – Pristanishka ulica 3
Sarajevo 84, Balkan atmosphere!
For a cheap lunch or dinner in Koper, try the Balkan cevapcici. These delicious grills are served in a large loaf of bread. They must be accompanied by kajmak (a type of cheese). Remember to ask for kajmak when you place your order. There are two Sarajevo 84 restaurants in Koper. The restaurant at Gramšijev trg 8 is opposite a playground (on the other side of the road – a detail that will be of interest to parents travelling with young children)
Sarajevo 84 – Restaurant no. 1: Gramšijev trg 8 – Restaurant no. 2: Valvasorjeva ulica 1
Speedy fast food
If you’re looking for a cheap bite to eat, head for the pizza slices at Speedy fast food restaurant. It is located on the main shopping street at Župančičeva ulica 37. The decor is Balkan/Albanian but the pizzas are good. The owner is friendly and the prices are very tight (€1.50 a slice). It certainly won’t be the best slice of pizza in your life, but if you’re on a budget, it’s the best option in Koper for a hot meal. To round things off on a tight budget, pop into the Mercator supermarket on Tito Square for some fruit and a drink.
Speedy – Župančičeva ulica 37
Atrij, very tight prices
The Atrji pizzeria is next to the central square but well hidden. As a result, it is frequented by locals and not tourists. This pizzeria is far from serving just pizzas. On the menu you’ll find spaghetti, calamari, soup of the day… Prices are very tight for main courses and desserts. On my last visit, I paid €14 for a soup, a large beer and a pasta dish. Admittedly, Atrji doesn’t do great cuisine, but the quality/taste/price ratio is really good here.
Every time I go to Koper, I notice that the locals are eating here
So it’s a good place to treat yourself and your family without spending a fortune. Gourmets won’t enjoy the restaurant, preferring the Capra restaurant (higher up).
Tip : Kosilo menu at lunchtime on weekdays for around €10
Pizzeria Atrji – Čevljarska ulica 8
Restaurant Baščaršija
Baščaršija is Sarajevo’s stunning, typically Ottoman quarter. In this restaurant, located on a beautiful square in Koper, you can try Bosnian specialities, including the famous cevapcicis. The prices are low. You’ll feel comfortable on the big tables and the large, quiet terrace. Don’t try the Sarajevo beer, which isn’t very good, and opt for the draught beer offered by the restaurant (Staropramen – a Czech beer always served cold). In short, Baščaršija is a good place to eat cheaply and quietly. In winter, make the most of the restaurant’s interior. It’s cosy and has traditional Bosnian features.
Baščaršija – Carpacciov trg 6
Folpo, foodtruck on the port
Folpo is a food truck serving delicious fish dishes. You order from the truck, grab your buzzer and sit comfortably on the terrace on the harbour quay while you wait for the food to be ready. The menu includes the usual grilled or fried squid, grilled fish and more. There’s also a delicious bakalar, a speciality spread with cod. Try it as a starter. You can also try the local white wine, Malvazija.
Tip: Have an aperitif at Folpo and order some Bakalar and white wine before heading off to another restaurant in my selection.
Warning : At lunchtime in summer, Folpo’s terrace lacks shade and you’ll be too hot. I recommend this restaurant for evenings only.
Folpo – Kopališko nabrežje
Stella Maris – eat on a catamaran
Here, you’ll be eating on a boat! The menu includes fish dishes, of course, and squid served with chard for around €15. The breeze that caresses your legs inside the boat makes for a pleasant moment. Above all, I think your children will have a lot of fun at this restaurant. It’s right next to the Folpo food truck.
Stella Maris – Ukmarjev trg, 6000 Koper
Bar Miramar, for a Slovenian aperitif and dinner!
This restaurant is right next to the Baščaršija restaurant. You’ll find a lovely colourful terrace with a yachting theme. The large square is great fun. Children can play and run around safely. Order wine, cheese, seafood specialities and delicious cold meats. The proprietors seek out the best locally, in neighbouring Italy and Slovenia.
- Plate of cheese, charcuterie or mix for €14.
- bread at €1.
- Wine at €15 a litre.
- Aperol Spitz at €6.
The final bill shouldn’t be as steep as the delicious anchovies you’ve just eaten. Expect to pay €18 per head and enjoy dessert with a scoop of ice cream on the terrace (€3) at Kostrola or Café Triglav.
Tip : You can also start with a shared aperitif at Bar Miramar before moving 20 metres to the comfortable tables of the Bosnian restaurant Baščaršija
Bar Miramar – Carpaccio trg 4
Fritolin, fast food fish and squid!
At the entrance to the Koper market, Fritolin serves fried and grilledfish and squid. Tight prices. 5 small tables that are often full and not as pleasant as the other terraces in town. A place to eat on the go, or better still, take the time to walk 300 m to the Parc Citadin on the seafront. You’ll be much better off than at the entrance to the market. Fritolin, on the other hand, is an excellent place to eat in Piran.
Fritolin – Pristaniška ulica 2
Savor, chic dining by the sea
A very nice address for dinner at around 8-9pm, with the sea just a few steps away. The restaurant is on Koper’s pebble beach, with a view of the thousands of lights in the merchant port. Nice chic atmosphere in the evening. Dishes are a little expensive for Slovenia, more than fifteen euros for pasta and more than €20 for the rest. If you don’t want to break the budget, just order pasta or risotto and a large beer or glass of local white wine for €3.50. For dessert, choose from the €5 menu or move 20 m to the Cappuccino Kastrola bar (order an ice cream from the terrace at €2 a scoop – Slovenian scoops are often the equivalent of two scoops)
For a gourmet meal or dinner, drive to Gostilna na gradom
Gostilnana gradom (€55 – book in advance by phone – Kraljeva ulica 10 – 05 628 55 05).
Finally, for more exotic cuisine, head outside the city to the Chang restaurant. It’s pretty good and, above all, it’s a local institution with lots of people. Far from the sea, it’s an uninteresting area. A bit of a shame when you’re in a seaside town as pleasant as Koper. Tables outside above a carp aquarium. Very hearty dishes at around €10.
Restaurant Chang – Cesta Marežganskega upora 13, 6000 Kop