Slovenia celebrates 74 Michelin-recognised restaurants in 2026

Slovenian gastronomy has once again achieved outstanding international recognition. The renowned MICHELIN Guide, the world’s most influential gastronomic brand, today unveiled the best Slovenian restaurants for the seventh consecutive year, once again confirming the exceptional quality and diversity of Slovenia’s culinary scene. The MICHELIN Guide Slovenia 2026 features 74 restaurants, two more than last year. Slovenia now boasts a total of 13 MICHELIN stars, one more than in 2025.

For the first time, the MICHELIN Guide introduced the Opening of the Year Award in Slovenia. The guide also presented the Young Chef Award, Sommelier Award, and Service Award. The Young Chef Award was presented to Marko Magajne of Galerija okusov (Petrovče), recognising a young culinary talent who is already shaping the future of Slovenian gastronomy.

The Sommelier Award went to Nejc Farčnik of Grič (Šentjošt nad Horjulom). The distinction honours a sommelier whose extensive wine knowledge, understanding of flavour harmony, and personal approach create an experience that goes far beyond service alone.

The Service Award was presented to Peter Patajc of Gostilnica Ruj (Dol pri Vogljah), who, according to MICHELIN inspectors, stands out for his warmth, friendliness, and relaxed hospitality, creating a genuine sense of welcome and comfort. The Opening of the Year Award was awarded to Gostilna Francl, led by Sebastijan Kovačič (Celje), recognising the successful revival of a well-known restaurant while honouring its traditions.

Bib Gourmand: two new additions

12 Slovenian restaurants have been included in this year’s Bib Gourmand selection, including two new. This distinction is awarded to restaurants offering exceptional quality at a reasonable price.

New Bib Gourmand restaurants for 2026:

• Klinec Medana
• Gostilna Francl

Complete Bib Gourmand Selection:

• Etna
• Gostilna Francl (new)
• Gostilna Rajh
• Gostilnica Ruj
• Gredič
• Restavracija Jožef
• Klinec Medana (new)
• Kodila
• Lalu Bistro
• Gostilna Mahorčič
• Restavracija Majerca
• Restavracija Triangel

74 Restaurants included in the guide

A total of 74 restaurants are featured in the 2026 guide. The Selected category includes 52 restaurants, six of them new additions:

• Bistro 9:45 (Bovec)
• Bistro Štorja (Postojna)
• Gostilnica Barba (Novo mesto)
• Hiša Polonka (Kobarid)
• Restavracija Mangrt (Bovec)
• Srebrna vilica (Piran)

Dr Anže Logar, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and Minister of the Economy, Labour and Sport, commented: “Thanks to the excellence and creativity of our chefs and their professional teams, whose restaurants are featured in the internationally renowned MICHELIN Guide, Slovenia is today recognised as an established gastronomic destination. Food lovers travel here from around the world, and many choose Slovenia specifically because of its outstanding cuisine. Tourism and gastronomy are important pillars of the Slovenian economy, and we remain committed to improving quality, increasing productivity, and creating higher added value, all of which are essential for international competitiveness. These goals can only be achieved through dedicated, creative, and visionary individuals such as this year’s MICHELIN award recipients.”

MSc Maja Pak Olaj, Director of the Slovenian Tourist Board, emphasised: “This year’s MICHELIN Guide Slovenia results once again confirm that Slovenia is strengthening its position as one of Europe’s most recognisable gastronomic destinations. The inclusion of 74 restaurants from across the country demonstrates that top-quality gastronomy is becoming an increasingly important part of Slovenia’s tourism offering and a key driver of higher-value-added tourism development. Our partnership with MICHELIN contributes to Slovenia’s international visibility, raises quality standards, and strengthens the reputation of Slovenian chefs and restaurants. We are especially pleased that Slovenia received the Opening of the Year Award for the first time, alongside the Young Chef, Sommelier, and Service Awards, all of which highlight excellence across different areas of gastronomy. In terms of MICHELIN-recognised restaurants per capita, Slovenia ranks around the European average among countries included in the guide, confirming the remarkable quality and ambition of Slovenian gastronomy. Congratulations to all recipients. The Slovenian Tourist Board will continue to support the development and international promotion of Slovenia as a destination of outstanding gastronomic experiences.”