Where to eat in Ljubljana on New Year's Eve 2019

by Denise Rejec

Slovenia’s gourmet capital of Ljubljana is full of interesting places to eat. Are you wondering where to go for New Year’s Eve dinner? To help solve your dilemma, I’ve selected five festive locations in which you can appease your taste buds and satisfy your party mood at the same time, no matter what your budget is.

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Ljubljana christmas lights photo JanezZalaznik

So you’re looking to spend your New Year’s Eve in Ljubljana? I can’t blame you. Ljubljana is a charming city with a friendly and cosmopolitan vibe, now even more than ever before. And if you’re in search of a cosy or festive place to bid 2019 farewell and say hello to 2020, you’ll be sure to find it in this compact city.

Ljubljana is brimming with popular restaurants, ranging from cosy bistros to chic fine-dining rooms. It’s no wonder that Ljubljana has been named one of Europe’s most famous gourmet destinations. So you’ll certainly never fall short of great places to eat in this city, even on the busiest night of the year.

Here are my five suggestions on where to eat and party in Ljubljana on New Year’s Eve:

JB Restaurant

No, this restaurant’s got nothing to do with the whiskey. JB stands for ‘Janez Bratovž’, world-famous chef and one of the best in Slovenia. And he’s a master chef at this Ljubljana gourmet institution. By means of his natural artistic flair, he has put together an unforgettable nine-course New Year’s Eve menu that will include some of his most sought-after dishes. All to be enjoyed in a romantic setting.

Within the elegant and homely interior of this architectural gem designed by Jože Plečnik, you’ll eat fresh tuna with seaweed cream, his signature beef fillet cubes with caviar and mustard plus an extra special touch of truffle for this special occasion, and his equally famous house speciality of ravioli filled with cottage cheese and pistachio served in a meat and cream sauce. Then, there’s no better way to top off this food-lovers’ feast than with a slice of their New Year’s Eve cake. What is this cake? Ah, let’s leave that as a surprise!

Where: JB Restaurant, No. 19, Miklošičeva Road, Ljubljana (not too far off from the main train and bus station)
Time: 19:00 till midnight
Phone: +386 1430 7070

Grand Hotel Union

Ljubljana’s legendary, Art Nouveau Grand Hotel Union is preparing a grand New Year’s Eve dinner. There’ll be a large selection of cold starters comprising Slovenian cold cuts of cured meats including Karst prosciutto, plus an array of fish and meat appetisers. For mains, you’ll have loads to choose from, among which are Beef Wellington in a red wine sauce, baked lamb with rosemary and thyme, and turkey with glazed chestnuts. And you can’t go away without tasting the famous Gibanica layered cake from Slovenia’s Prekmurje region.

No doubt you’ll be up for a good New Year’s Eve party after gearing up with all that food. You can put on your dancing shoes, join Ljubljana’s thriving swing scene, and shake off your New Year’s Eve dinner at the vintage swing party taking place within the hotel. Woohoo!

Where: Grand Hotel Union, No. 1, Miklošičeva Road, Ljubljana (just a few steps away from Ljubljana’s most photographed church: the pink-coloured Franciscan Church of the Annunciation).
Time: Dinner from 19:00 to 22:30; Click here for the vintage swing party programme.
Phone: +386 1308 1989

Pub Plečnik

If you’re looking for a party venue with a youngish crowd, I suggest you head down to Pub Plečnik, previously the famous Emonska Klet. Pub Plečnik lives up to this place’s former reputation of being one of Ljubljana’s hotspots. It’s an ideal venue if you’re after a great party that goes on into the wee hours of the morning.

They’ve got the 80s and 90s theme going for the big night of the 31st. And the great thing is that they serve an extensive menu of popular snacks and dishes, ranging from their homemade pretzel to various meat dishes. Their drinks menu is also impressive with its wide choice of spirits, cocktails, beers, and wines. And Pub Plečnik definitely knows how to throw a pumping party!

Where: Pub Plečnik, No. 1, Plečnik Square, Ljubljana (only a few steps away from Congress Square).
Phone: +386 4074 7894

Manna Restaurant

Manna Restaurant is hosting an all-inclusive dinner paired with Slovenian wines

This is a delightful, cosy restaurant set within a 19th-century house. For New Year’s Eve, they’ve prepared an all-inclusive nine-course dinner paired with Slovenian wines (many coming from indigenous grape varieties) and house aperitifs. Indulge in St Jacob’s scallops, yellowfin tuna tataki, chamois (goat-antelope) carpaccio, and other culinary delights. You’ll also get a house digestive at the end of your meal. At midnight, you can watch the Ljubljana fireworks from their garden while enjoying a glass of sparkling wine.

Where: Manna Restaurant, No. 1a, Eipprova Street, Ljubljana (Eipprova is a pretty street lined with a couple of bars and restaurants in the chic Trnovo neighbourhood. It lines the Gradaščica river that joins the Ljubljanica a few metres away from Manna Restaurant).
Time: 19:00 to 2:00
Phone: +386 3138 8201 (Manna Restaurant recommends that you book via this reservation facility)

Best Western Premier Hotel Slon

Slon’s famous strawberry cake

For a traditional New Year’s celebration, enjoy a gala dinner accompanied by live jazz music played by a 17-member band. Expect a delicious gourmet experience, with everything from smoked Soča trout tartare (from the well-known Soča River), lobster soup, fusi with truffles, and wild boar fillet, to Slon’s famous strawberry cake.

Where: Hotel Slon, No. 34, Slovenska Road, Ljubljana (opposite the renowned Nama shopping centre).
Time: 19:00 to 3:00
Phone: +386 1 470 1100

Happy New Year!

Although I’ve recommended the above five places to get the most out of your big night, you could even enjoy the outdoor atmosphere of Ljubljana city while nibbling your way around the stalls that also serve drinks, including mulled wine, hot gin, and other festive drinks. As the time approaches midnight to ensure you’re in good view of Ljubljana castle, as that is where the midnight fireworks are let off. The Nebotičnik Skyscraper could be an option, and they’re also hosting a full-blown celebration including dinner on the 10th floor and a party on the 13th floor.

Whichever way you choose to spend your New Year's Eve, I wish you a memorable celebration and experience in Ljubljana. All the best for 2020!

Denise Rejec

Denise Rejec is a freelance writer from Malta. Her passion for writing—not to mention her love for Slovene cuisine and wine—prompted her to create the blog Wine Dine Slovenia, which is dedicated to all the yummy things you can find in Slovenia.

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