Welcome to Bratislava, the little big city that might be one of the most underrated capitals in Europe.
You are in luck if you are looking for the best restaurants in Bratislava.
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There is a range of food in Bratislava, from traditional Slovak Restaurants to fine dining options.
This blog post is dedicated to all of the fantastic restaurants, including the best vegetarian restaurants in Bratislava too. I have organised my recommendations into four different categories.
Hot Tip: Slovakian’s main meal is lunch, and most restaurants will offer Daily Menu (Denné menu). It generally consists of soup and the main dish. It’s always a great deal (6-7 Euros in Bratislava) and often the best food. Always ask about it.
Table of Contents
Houdini Restaurant – Houdini is a perfect choice for a fancy night out with a twist on classic Slovak dishes in a fine dining setting.
With a short stroll from the Danube and a beautiful setting, you are ready for some food magic. We loved the Confit Rabbit leg dish; they have a nice selection of wines.
Bistronomy – This is a hidden gem. You won’t find it walking around Bratislava Old Town, as it is on the other side of the Danube. But it’s so worth it. An innovative modern menu focuses on ingredients and simplicity.
Savoy Restaurants – Another classic place on the food scene in Bratislava, when it comes to fine dining Savoy combines home-inspired cooking following the latest gastronomy trends. The dishes are beautiful, another reason why Savoy ranks as one of the best restaurants in Bratislava.
Koliba Kamzík Bratislava – If you ask anyone in Slovakia where to find really authentic and traditional Slovak food, they would say go to “koliba”. Koliba is a simple eatery within a traditional farmhouse usually located in the countryside of Slovakia.
But a few “kolibas” popped up in the cities to bring this type of institution and food for the city folks. Koliba Kamzik is exactly that. Cosy, easy-going with traditional meals such as garlic soup and Bryndzove Halusky (cheese dumplings).
Zylinder Cafe & Restaurant – Delicious Central European dishes in a nice setting. While you find some Austrian dishes here as well, there are also very good Slovak dishes to try here. Try Duck Confit or Bryndza Dumplings.
Modra Hviezda – The Blue Star is one of our favourites of the best restaurants in Bratislava. Why? It’s very intimate and cosy located in the brick-lined cellar space just below the castle. It offers amazing food in Bratislava and the service was always fantastic.
Slovak Pub – Don’t be fooled by the name. Slovak Pub is actually a restaurant, but you can definitely have a beer here. Some great traditional meals are on the a la carte menu, but locals and students come here for the daily lunch menu. This place deserves a mention on the best restaurants in Bratislava for sure.
Urban Bistro – Located in the Old Town, the Urban Bistro is not the cheapest place to eat. But the vibes are there, the coffee is good and the menu has some great choices. It’s more breakfast/international food so not really a place to have old school dishes, but hip Slovaks do eat here.
Cafe Verne – Looking for something on budget that a local would take you to, then this is the place. Nothing fancy, a small place with a lot of character. It used to be the hangout of artists. You can have the daily menu lunch for 7 euro for soup+main or choose something a la carte. Small beer or espresso is less than 2 euros.
Gatto Matto – Best Italian in the Old Town and often mentioned as one of the best restaurants in Bratislava when it comes to places to eat in the Old Town.
Fach Bistro – It’s not exclusively Vegetarian, but the bistro focuses on honest, seasonal dishes prepared with an emphasis on the quality and origin of ingredients. Great for breakfast or lunch. A good option for the best restaurants in Bratislava for our vegetarian readers.
Balans Bistro – Plan-based bistro that seems to have the best vegan burgers in town!
Bemba – The first raw food and plant-based restaurant in Bratislava. Delicious and healthy.
Don’t miss our EUROPE CITY GUIDES
Iasai – Asian-inspired European dishes in a modern setting in the old town. Think sushi, noodles etc.
Otto – Delicious Breakfast/Brunch. Try the shakshuka. An all-round good choice to try food in Bratislava.
Bistro St Germain – French-inspired bistro/cafe with a nice cosy atmosphere (unless its busy).
Fleur Bakery – The Best Bakery in town for delicious pastries (twice baked croissants and kouign-amann). Not open on Monday and Tuesday.
Black – Best coffee in the old town. Because life is too short for bad coffee.
UFO Restaurant – The UFO Restaurant tops the list for uniqueness for dinner or a drink with a view.
Highly Recommended – Reserve a place on this guided walking tour of Bratislava in the evening. Finally, enjoy a glass of traditional Slovakian fine wine & pretzel in a stylish cafeteria in Bratislava’s city centre.
And that’s it. Our list of the best restaurants in Bratislava to eat. And if you love food, we recommend doing a food tour of Bratislava. Here are the most popular Food Experiences.
You may also consider buying a ticket for Bratislava Sightseeing Bus to visit all the highlights & attractions, including the castle. It’s a good way to explore the city if you’re short on time.
Slovakia is a beautiful country, and there is so much to see and do beyond the capital city of Bratislava.
Check out these 10 Best places to visit in Slovakia for inspiration to explore on your own. Don’t miss Hiking in Slovakia’s High Tatras – Green Lake (Zelene Pleso)
Oh, and the food is delicious in Slovakia – these 18 Most Popular Foods are unmissable!
It’s not uncommon that Slovakia often gets confused with Slovenia, another small nation in Europe. We’ve put together a post for you so you don’t make the same mistake. Read more about Slovakia vs Slovenia: What is the difference?
If you’re visiting the nearby city of Prague in the Czech Republic, don’t miss these top 6 places to eat the best Czech Food in Prague. This is also one of the most popular cities in Europe, and these 7 Best Things to Do in Prague will keep you busy.
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Read about all the new foods you can taste with our Complete Food Map of Europe! And for the food lovers out there, don’t miss our Top 10 Best Countries for Foodies!
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