Best Slovakian Restaurants & Dessert in Bratislava (Vegetarian Friendly)
During my trip to Bratislava, I simply had to try some local Slovakian dishes. When in Rome, right?
However, as someone who doesn’t eat any meat or wheat products, it can be difficult to indulge in local cuisines. This is especially difficult when the local cuisine is very meat-heavy, and often written on menus with very little English shown (unfortunately Duolingo didn’t offer Slovak before I went).
But - there is always a silver lining! In this case, that silver lining was: Koliba Kamzik, Kaffee Mayer, and Luculus Ice Saloon.
Now, presumably, if you’re a tourist in the city as I was, you’ll be spending a fair amount of time visiting the Main Square. The following places are all within walking distance of this central location, and are all convenient places from which to do some sight-seeing!
Koliba Kamzik
For those searching for traditional cuisine at a reasonable price in Bratislava, let me introduce you to Koliba Kamzik.
A lovely restaurant with homely, this restaurant is situated in the city centre and is close to many of the main tourist attractions. The interior of the restaurants mimics the vibe of the city, and is traditionally decorated. You can’t go wrong whether you choose to sit inside, or outside on the patio.
Koliba Kamzik has a range of foods, from heartier meat dishes, local dumplings, stuffed potatoes, stews, and even cheese plates. There are options for those who are vegetarian, and gluten-free. I personally ordered the traditional cheese plate, and I was well stuffed after eating.
There is also a beer and wine menu, for those that enjoy a little something-something when dining out.
If you’re looking for well-priced local cuisine that tastes great, I really suggest going to Koliba Kamzik. Out of all the restaurants I ate at in Bratislava, this was the one that stood out!
Location:
Starý Smokovec 8
Kaffee Mayer
Originally from Vienna, Kaffee Mayer set up its first shop in Bratislava in 1913. Although not technically Slovakian, Slovakia and Austria historically crossed paths enough times for the café to be a now mainstay feature in the city centre.
Ideally located inside a Bratislava baroque palace from the 1750s, Kaffee Mayer is more of an experience than most cafés. Whether you are seated indoors or outdoors, there is a lot to see. Inside, you are treated to elegant 19th century decor, and outside, the nearby Roland’s Fountain serenades you as you eat your dessert.
Roland’s Fountain (Bratislava, Slovakia)
Bratislava is well-known for it’s quirky statues all throughout the city (especially in the Main Square), and one can be found outside this old café. Schone Naci, a regular customer, greets the new guests coming for a treat.
Although there are full meals served at this café, I personally prefer it for it’s desserts. Internationally well-known fare such as Sacher torte and apfelstrudel, can be found on the menu, alongside more unique options such as Austrian chestnut cake or Gesztenyepüré (chestnut whip). There are a total of 37 cakes from which you can choose, and each one is baked in-house.
Not keen on sweets? There is also a delectable hot chocolate offered, or you can opt for the tea & coffee list.
For a swanky dessert and coffee, pop on over to Kaffee Mayer. After all, there are worse things than listening to a Mozart concerto while smartly-dressed waiters in period uniforms serve you. Talk about de-li-cious.
Location:
Hlavné námestie 355/4
Luculus Ice Saloon
If you’re looking for a top-notch ice-cream spot in Bratislava, Luculus Ice Saloon is it!
The pretty interior and myriad of flavours make this particular saloon worthy of a stop on any hungry travellers list. The chandelier and couches vibe definitely made this a comfortable place to visit. One thing I really liked was the amount of detail put into each creation - they certainly didn’t skimp on toppings here!
Luculus prides itself on presentation, and part of the charm of visiting is the sheer aesthetic value of your iced dessert. Don’t be surprised to find the treats featured on many Instagram feeds. They also top each scoop with their signature “Luculus” miniature waffle and a curled wafer - yum!
There is often a line outside of Luculus, but the ice-cream is worth it. Make this a stop on your next hot day in the Slovakian capital!
Location:
Hviezdoslavovo námestie 173/16
Ok… but what do I put into Google Maps?
Thank you for reading, lovely! Happy eating.
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