Last Updated on July 1, 2023 by Goya
Around the corner from Ljubljana‘s busy Prešeren Square (Prešernov trg) with its gorgeous pink Franciscan church, lies a quieter street with Ljubljana’s only Michelin starred restaurant: Restavracija Atelje.
The Food
The dishes in here are an epitome of Restavracija Atelje’s motto: “Simple, but refined”.
Simple, as in, there are no smokes, flames and theatrics here, just elegant, carefully plated dishes. Refined, because even the simplest of the ingredients seems to pack a punch or have a story of its own.
Everything is seasonal, fresh or freshly pickled/compressed, and served with homegrown herbs and a beautiful Slovene wine pairing… Something that we thoroughly enjoy!
The service is slow but attentive. Our waiter is not only very knowledge, but also clearly and endearingly proud to be sharing the best of his homeland with us.
The Verdict
Is this the best Michelin starred restaurant experience ever? Probably not. But then again, it is not really claiming to be.
I think Restavracija Atelje has a great vibe and a lot to offer. And I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is visiting Ljubljana and is after a special dining experience. But it is also a place that could benefit from some fine tuning. There are certainly a few items on the tasting menu that are delicious but not necessarily needed. And the fact that the whole tasting takes almost 5 hours can make it a bit overwhelming.
But, overall, did we enjoy it? Absolutely!
The dishes and the wine pairing, as I mentioned, were exceptional for the most part. And as this was a treat from Mister for my 30th birthday… I really couldn’t complain! I mean… Good food, good wine, good weather, good company. Can anyone ask for more?
GG
Photo credits: Goya Galeotta © – www.goyagaleotta.com | Tom Dymond © – www.tomdymond.co.uk
