Celebrate the Love of Cuisine at LUV Fest
27 Jan 2026
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From February 8 to March 12 – from Prešeren Day to St. Gregory’s Day – Ljubljana will once again host LUV, the Festival of Love, Art, and Wandering. Now in its fourth edition, the festival brings a rich cultural, artistic, and culinary program that enlivens the traditionally quieter second half of winter and offers a perfect warm-up for the much-anticipated spring awakening. Ljubljana’s restaurants and cafés will enrich the festival with special offers and diverse events, reminding us that there is always a reason to celebrate.
© Roki Z.
LUV Fest reminds us that love is not only romantic and certainly not reserved for couples alone. It is a celebration of Slovenian culture, honored on February 8, Slovenia’s national cultural holiday. It is a fusion of global influences and tradition, when, according to ancient wisdom, St. Valentine pulls the key to the roots from his pocket on February 14, unlocking not only nature but also our hearts to celebrate the global day of love. It is a commitment to equality and respect, highlighted on March 8, International Women’s Day. And it is the magic of childlike joy on March 12, St. Gregory’s Day, when handmade boats (“gregorčki”) are set afloat on streams, sparking joy in hearts young and old and inviting spring to join us. Love is always worth celebrating—and even more so when shared with good company and great food.
The full culinary program of the LUV Festival is available on our website, while selected highlights are presented below.
Loving Mornings
If the day is shaped by its morning—and breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day—then it should begin deliciously. During the festival, you can crown a morning walk through Tivoli Park with breakfast at Caffe Bienale, enhance a Saturday stroll through Ljubljana with brunch at Sato Prulček, enjoy a Prešeren Breakfast at Restaurant Cubo on February 7 or 8, or return there a month later, on March 7 or 8, to celebrate International Women’s Day with a Ladies’ Breakfast, shared with daughters, mothers, partners, friends, and all the remarkable women in your life.
Sweet Moments
Whether you’ll be celebrating being in love or simply your love of sweets during the festival, the selection in Ljubljana’s cafés, pastry shops, and restaurants will be rich and varied - and very often tinted red with strawberries and raspberries, in the spirit of the festival’s visual identity, hearts and roses of the season of love, or carnations for International Women’s Day.
Look for special LUV desserts at Kavarna Cacao, Zvezda Cafés, Pekarna Malo drugače, the LePotica boutique, and Moja rolada, treat yourself to a moment of loving indulgence with the strawberry štruklji with cream called Sladek Valentinček (Sweet Valentine) at Moji štruklji Slovenije or Plečnikova južna, or enjoy soul-soothing festival desserts at Gaudi & Naan Bistro.
Those who enjoy wandering through the world of Asian flavours will be especially drawn to two unique seasonal treats: throughout the entire LUV Fest, NiamNiam Garden will be serving traditional Chinese moon cakes, which symbolise love, reunion, and togetherness, while Sato Bento, a Japanese restaurant, will be preparing Hinamatsuri from 1 to 12 March - a three-coloured dessert symbolising spring, health, and well-being, traditionally made in early March during Japan’s Girls’ Day festival.
A Table for Two
While LUV celebrates many forms of love, romantic love certainly has its place. For those who believe that the way to the heart leads through the stomach, the festival offers plenty of ideas for a romantic lunch or dinner for two. Special dishes and menus throughout the festival are prepared by Bistro Švicarija, Ljubljanski Dvor, Sato Prulček, Dežela Okusov, and Zlata Ladjica. Valentine’s Day menus will be available at Restaurant Cubo (February 13–14), Gaudi & Naan (February 10–14), and Altrokè.
Coming Together
Food and drink have always brought people together - and when paired with art or other loving practices, the joy only grows. During the festival, Sato Prulček will host the Sound with Taste event series, combining fine food and good music, while Altrokè will organiwe engaging and educational wine evenings. Wine Bar Kletvica announces two special events: on February 13, a natural wine walk along Trubarjeva Street, including stops at Štorija Wine Shop and TaBar Restaurant, and on February 21, Wine and Fire, featuring natural wines, funky music, and open-fire cooking on the terrace. And to remind us of perhaps the most important love - the love for ourselves and our bodies - Gaudi & Naan will host Self-Care Yoga and Brunch on February 14.
We wish you a delightful and delicious journey through beloved Ljubljana!