Špela Ankele is a journalist for the Slovenian gastronomy magazine Odprta kuhinja, a lover of local flavors and great stories, who in her free time writes recipes for her blog.
"Maybe writing about gastronomy was destined for me – after all, my husband, who is a chef by profession, and I got married in a local inn", explains Špela. Living in Kranj, her recommendations focus on this Slovenian town and its surroundings. Here are her top five Gorenjska region inns, listed alphabetically.
Križna Gora 8a, Škofja Loka
Credits: Instagram
A reliable inn with an old-school atmosphere and traditional dishes. The beef soup tastes just like grandma’s, made with love and homemade noodles. If unsure what to choose, go for their set lunch, which includes soup, a main dish with a side, salad, and dessert—all at a good price.
Dessert recommendation? Flancati—freshly fried, yeast-based pastries that melt in your mouth!
2. PR’ KONČOVC
Javornik 10, Kranj
Credits: Instagram
I love to travel, but I love being at home even more. Pr’ Končovc is so close to my house that I can walk there. It’s my go-to for a Sunday lunch, a cozy December gathering, or even a casual Friday treat when I need a little change.
Mama Fani takes care of the bread, štruklji (rolled dumplings), and traditional flavors, while her son Aleš adds his culinary imagination, all using carefully selected local ingredients—many of which come from their own farm.
A priceless experience: A friend once ate their bread and teared up because it reminded her of the taste of the bread her grandmother baked in another part of Slovenia. Reservations required.
3. PR’ PEPET
Kopališka ulica 1, Škofja Loka
Credits: Instagram
Why? Because Pr’ Pepet isn’t just about food made with local ingredients. It’s also an art space, occasionally transforming into a small gallery for local artists. They also have a cheese-aging cellar and even host concerts.
Owner Janez Ferlan prepares meat, fish, plant-based, and other specialties, and bakes excellent sourdough bread! Each visit brings something homemade, local, cosmopolitan, and unique. But above all, I simply love going there with my dear friends who appreciate fine local stories.
Top Slovenian Food Products
Credits: Instagram
A must-have in my kitchen! For everyday cooking, I use fine or coarse salt, and for special dishes like focaccia, I use salt flower from the Piran salt pans. This salt has a protected designation of origin.
2. KRANJSKA KLOBASA (CARNIOLAN SAUSAGE)
Credits: Shutterstock
Since I’m from Kranj, this sausage is a staple in both winter and summer cooking. It also has a protected geographical indication.
3. BOHINJSKI SIRI (BOHINJ CHEESES)
Credits: spelankele
Bohinj is home to several farms and cheese dairies producing top-quality cheeses. Whenever I visit, I stop by a cheese farm, like Tourist Farm Gartner in Studor or Organic Cheese Dairy Pr’ Tonejovc in Polje.
Bohinj cheeses can also be found in well-stocked markets and culinary events. The most famous is Bohinj hard cheese. For cheese adventurers, try Mohant—a semi-soft cheese with a distinctive aroma, also with protected designation of origin.
4. ŠTAJERSKO PREKMURSKO BUČNO OLJE (STYRIAN-PREKMURJE PUMPKIN SEED OIL)
Credits: KOCBEK
It doesn’t matter if it’s from Oljarna Kocbek, one of the most renowned producers, or another Styrian-Prekmurje oil mill—what matters is the protected geographical indication label (a blue-yellow circle on the packaging).
5. PENINA BJANA (BJANA SPARKLING WINE)
Credits: instagram
One of Slovenia’s most refined and passionate wine stories, focusing on sparkling wines in Goriška Brda, specifically in Biljana (or Bjana, as locals call it). Many of their sparkling wines have won high international rankings.
Špela Ankele
