best_of_slovenia
Photo: Best of Slovenia, Črt Piksi

A record-breaking 85,766 votes decided the top 500 favoUrites in Slovenia.

The votes were cast for 500 selected locations and experiences, divided into six categories – from tourist experiences, culture, and shopping to culinary delights. Among the winners were Lelosi, Kristal Rogaška, BTC City Ljubljana, Ljubljana Castle, Gostilna Repovž, Dom na Kofcah, Burek Olimpija, Plečnik’s House, GoOpti, and many others.

The Best Of 2025 award is a recognition that confirms the popularity of selected local providers, now being presented for the 14th consecutive year. The selection and award ceremony is organized by the media house The Slovenia, with the support of the international media outlet In Your Pocket. After more than a decade of selecting the best in Ljubljana, the organizers decided this year to expand the voting scope and choose the best providers from across Slovenia.

The Best Of 2025 accolade continues the tradition of the evaluation, which includes both an editorial panel and the broader public, who ultimately vote for their favourite provider in the selected categories.

best_of_slovenia
Photo: Best of Slovenia, Črt Piksi

The grand award ceremony for Best Of 2025 took place on Thursday, 16th of January 2025, in Ljubljana at Cultural Center Španski Borci. This year, awards were presented in six categories: Best Of Travel Experience, Best Of Shopping, Best Of Culture, Best Of Food & Drinks Slovenia, Best Of Food & Drinks Ljubljana, and the Best of Speaker category, which was included in the event for the second consecutive year.

best_of_slovenia
Photo: Best of Slovenia, Črt Piksi

This year’s event was accompanied by the Festival of Decisions, enriching the program with a series of expert speeches, discussions, and roundtables. Premiering last year, the festival is an essential part of the ceremony and aspires to become a permanent companion to this event in the future.

History of the competition

What started as a one-time competition for our fun with a battle for the best burek in 2011, has evolved into one of the most prestigious award ceremonies in the city. The competition, which has been running for more than a decade and covers a diverse range of categories, just like the ever-popular Ljubljana In Your Pocket guides, has received tens of thousands of public votes every year. Last year, over 40,000 votes were cast. Of course, this all happened before the COVID-19 pandemic, which temporarily halted the competition, like most things in Slovenia, Europe, and around the world.

But like that inspiring immortal bird from Greek mythology, the Best of Ljubljana competition rose figuratively from the ashes in 2020 and 2021, returning in 2022 better than ever, growing even more in 2023 and 2024.


Find out more about the competition here.

Winners in 2025

Category “Best Of Travel Experiences”

The founder of the international guides In Your Pocket, Matthias Lüfkens, together with Niko Slavnič, the initiator of the Best Of 2025 awards, presented the awards to the winners in the Best Of Travel Experience category.

Winners:

  • Best Family Trips: Jasna Lake, Kranjska Gora
  • Best Trending “Hidden Gem” Destinations: Rogla
  • Best Outdoor Activity: Velika Planina Hike
  • Best Indoor Fun: Woop! Fun Park, Ljubljana
  • Best Wellness, Health & Beauty Experience: Wellness Orhidelia, Podčetrtek
  • Best Getting around Slovenia: GoOpti
  • Best Artisan Handicraft Experiences: Rog Centre Workshops
  • Best Romantic Accomodation Experience: Jasna Chalet Resort, Kranjska Gora
  • Best Travel Media & Influencers: Hribi.net
  • Best Photography of Slovenia: Matevž Lenarčič
  • Best Unique things to do in Slovenia: Climb on Mt.Triglav, the symbol of Slovenia

Category “Best Of Slovenia Shopping”

The plaques for the winners in the Best Of Shopping category were presented by Janža Pavlin, Head of Sales at In Your Pocket, and Melinda Rebrek, Executive Producer of LJFW.

Winners:

  • “Feel like a Slovenian” brand: Barcaffe Coffee
  • Shopping Centers: BTC City Ljubljana
  • Ljubljana City Centre Shopping: Ikona Ljubljana
  • Gifts from Slovenia: Rogaška Crystal
  • Real Estate Slovenia: Stoja Trade
  • Slovenia Leggings: Lelosi
  • Best Slovenia online shops (powered by shoptok.si): mimovrste.si
  • Global shops in Slovenia (powered by shoptok.si): aboutyou.com
  • Smart Shopping Platforms: shoptok.si
  • Fashion Influencers: Ula Furlan

Category “Best Of Culture”

Janža Pavlin was later joined by the Director of the Slovenian Youth Theatre, Inge Remeta, and together they presented the awards to the winners in the Best Of Culture category.

  • Best National Museums: MGML – City Museum of Ljubljana
  • Best Unique Museums: Plečnik House
  • Best Cultural Festivals & Events: Festival Ljubljana
  • Best Theaters & Opera: Slovenian National Theater Drama
  • Best Art Gallery: National Gallery
  • Best Cultural Family Experience & Events: Museum Night
  • Best Castle: Ljubljana Castle

Category “Best Of Food & Drinks Slovenia”

The awards in the Best Of Food & Drinks Slovenia category were presented by Marko Mladinović, a professional gastronomy enthusiast, and Niko Slavnič.

  • Best Food Experience: Drožomanija Sourdough Workshops
  • Best Drink Experience: Wine fountain, Marezige
  • Best Gastronomic Festivals & Events: Restaurant Week, Slovenia (Teden Restavracij)
  • Best Wine Festivals & Events: Brda and Wine, Šmartno
  • Best Gostilna with Local Food: Gostilna Repovž, Šentjanž
  • Best Coffee in Slovenia: Pražarna
  • Best Craft Micro Breweries: Kralj
  • Best Mountain Hut Food: Dom na Kofcah
  • Best Food Influencer: Leaneen, Nina Kastelic
  • Best Artisanal local brands (Izvorno slovensko): From Bohinj

Category “Best Of Speakers”

In the Best of Speakers category, the title of Best Speaker was awarded to Nastja Mulej, an exceptionally successful and inspiring individual, a Master of Communication, and the only Slovenian Master Trainer for the methods of Dr. Edward de Bono, who has been successfully teaching creative thinking for over 20 years.

All of the finalists and winner:

  • Melanie Seier Larsen
  • Aljoša Bagola
  • Nastja Mulej
  • Marko Lukić
  • Sara Isaković
  • Gregor Kosi
  • dr. Violeta Bulc
  • David Zupančič
  • Karmen Pangos
  • Alen Kobilica
  • Ljupka Vrteva
  • Karel Gržan
  • Urška Gerbajs
  • dr. Boris Cergol
  • Tanja Skaza
  • dr. Matjaž Ličer
  • Laura Unuk
  • Mojca Cepuš
  • Klemen Šešok
  • Manca Šalehar

Category “Best Of Food & Drinks Ljubljana”

The awards in the Best Of Food & Drinks Ljubljana category were also presented.

  • Best Slovenian food: Hiša pod Gradom
  • Best Business Lunch / Dinner: Cubo
  • Best Pizza in Ljubljana & Around Ljubljana: Peruzza pizza
  • Best Bistro / Brunch: Le Petit Cafe
  • Best Pizza in old town: Pop’s Place Pizza
  • Best Burgers: Hood Burger
  • Best Vegan / Vegan Friendly: Barbarella Plant Bistro & Juicebar
  • Best World Cuisine: Argentino
  • Best Balkan Food: Gostilna Čad
  • Best Street food: Burek Olimpija
  • Best Cafés & Dessert: POLO caffe&bar

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