Attending Open Kitchen (Odprta Kuhna) was one of the highlights of all my time in Slovenia. In fact, it’s one of the top things I recommend, and I’ve already sent several people to visit.
What is Open Kitchen? The best high-end food market I’ve ever attended, and I make it a point of attending food markets in nearly every city I visit.
While in Ljubljana don’t miss out on activities that will help immerse yourself with the city (hurry while they’re hot!):
- From Ljubljana: Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj Day Trip
- Ljubljana: Guided Walk & Funicular Ride to Ljubljana Castle
- Wine Tasting Ljubljana
- Ljubljana: 3–Hour Bike Cruise
Open Kitchen was developed in 2013 by the owner, Lior, who wanted to find a way to bring together the best of Slovenian food in one place.
But he didn’t want just any Slovenian food, he wanted the best Slovenian food has to offer. There are three criteria you must meet to apply for participation:
- Quality- You must be ranked among the best 100 restaurants in the country.
- Creativity– You must bring your concept to a high end street food event. No matter how gourmet or fine dining your restaurant, you must be able to create a dish that works well as street food.
- Uniqueness– no two stands can sell the same dish, a move Lior made to remove competition between restaurants.
The result is a gourmet street food market featuring many of the best foods I had in all of Slovenia. I put Open Kitchen on par with street food markets in Thailand, but this is gourmet food.
Lior was kind enough to give us a guided tour of Open Kitchen. Even though I’m sure he’s given this tour countless times, he was enthusiastic and genuinely excited to lead us up and down the aisles.
Looking for where to eat in Ljubljana? Check out my guide to the best Ljubljana restaurants here!
First things first, Lior grabbed us each a drink. Open Kitchen not only sells food, but also feature craft beers, local wines, and cocktails.
As we walked from stall to stall, he pointed out and explained each dish, encouraging us to try anything we thought looked good. He stole us some bites, samples, and tastes from nearly every stall.
The wide variety of dishes is what really impressed me. We not only found classic Slovenian dishes, but also new versions or interpretations of the classics, and international dishes as well.
I was also impressed by how well Lior knew each of the stands and the details about each dish they served. He is obviously very involved in the vetting process.
All the vendors were happy to stop, talk with us, explain their dishes, and offer samples.
Fortunately, we had come just after the lunch rush and were able to watch some of the dishes being made fresh again as we chatted with the chefs and learned about the process.
As much as we wanted to, it was impossible to try everything- over forty vendors were there that day. We watched as plates full of delicious just prepared food were passed to waiting customers.
It is difficult for me to tell you anyone “must try” dish because I can’t guarantee a stand will be there when you visit. But I will say that if you find a stand making whole roasted pigs with herbed potatoes
or the horse burger
go ahead and get in line. And yes, you read that correctly- horse burger. It’s actually delicious, trust me.
Even the bacon was made from horse meat! I initially planned to only have a bite, just to say I had tried it. But even after all the other samples, I finished this huge burger!
If you’re not a meat-eater, fear not- there are many options for you as well. Not only are there plenty of vegetarian dishes, but some stands even sell vegan and raw dishes.
I love food markets, and as I’ve mentioned, I’ve been to many around the world. So, when, when I say that Open Kitchen is the best high-end food market I’ve ever been to, I don’t say that lightly. This is a must-do for your time in Ljubljana!
Have I convinced you yet- would you visit Open Kitchen (Odprta Kuhna) during your time in Slovenia? Let me know in the comments section below.
Practical Information: Open Kitchen is opened every Friday, weather permitting, from mid-March to October in Pogačarjev Square from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., or 10 p.m during the summer months.
If possible, try to visit between the lunch and dinner rushes. Crowds can be huge and line long when locals and tourists alike visit at these times.
For more information, you can visit Open Kitchen’s website by clicking here.
OMG! This is foodie heaven! I love that you won’t get the same dish twice and the pictures look so appetising. We actually think about doing a tour in this region in the future and i’m definitely saving this article for this trip 😀
Have a fantastic day and only the best food!
Tom, you need to visit my country☺ you will simply love it – just like Nathan presented it!!
I do love food! Hmmm I would love to visit this. Horse burger?? I have never tried but … hmmm I’m not sure I am brave enough.
I live in neighbouring Austria and have only driven through Slovenia on our way to Croatia. However, a stopover has been on the cards for a long time. Now that I know about this incredible street food market, I will time it to coincide. Not sure you’ve convinced me to try the horse burger though!
I love this idea of having the best of local gourmet foods in one place and that one place has no stalls selling the same thing! Having tried kangaroo burger in Sydney, I must say that I’m quite tempted to give the horse burger a try! What are the prices like though? Gourmet or street food price?
Sounds like a great way to spend the day! I love visiting markets and trying different foods. I’m not sure about that horse burger though! I would have my husband try it first then me LOL
I love finding food areas like this! It’s great that it caters to vegetarians as well. So often, I don’t get to have the same food adventures as others.
This sounds like a brilliant concept, they should have one in every city! The roast pig with herbed potato looks very tasty indeed.
Open Kitchen is an apt name for a food market. Its a great idea to visit food markets in every place one visits. Local food and specially street food, can offer so many insights into the culture. We have tried a few food markets and have loved each one.
Oh my, I’m drooling over your food photos. Everything looks so delicious! I’ve never been to Slovenia, but I’m really hoping to get there soon! I’ve heard it’s absolutely amazing!
Wow, yeah, you have totally convinced me just from the first few words and photos. I travel mostly for the food (I’m a vegan) and this place looks totally unique and I was glad to read they have vegan stuff! I’ll pretend I didn’t see you ate horse 😛 I’m assuming you have visited Or Tor Kor in Bangkok, but if you haven’t it should be high on your list!
This looks absolutely wonderful! I would be ALL OVER that pork and potatoes! I love potatoes… and pork. So, it’s perfect – plus it’s delicious-looking! I don’t know that could eat horse meat. It’s just a weird mental block for me, but it’s interesting that you found it super delicious!
This couldn’t of come at a better time as I’ll be in Ljubljana from this September 15 till about the 18th although I’m worried that it might not be operating as I’ll be there just after the summer. Now only if you didn’t mention that was horse burger I would of actually of eaten it lol. Ah what the hell if its there when I come I’ll try it…
Don’t worry…, on 15th of sept. there will be Open kitchen and next two days; 16-17.9 at the same place beer and burger festival – organized by same people as Open kitchen. So plenty of choices for you. Keep fingers crossed for nice weather.
Street food is the best. But Gourmet Street Food could be even better 🙂 I love the concept of the Open Kitchen, as this is what street food is all about, and the idea to bring upmarket food to the masses is genius.
If ever I get to Slovenia i will be sure to head to Ljubljana and try it.
I am heading to Slovenia next weekend., and I’d never heard of Open Kitchen before. I wasn’t planning on going to Ljubljana, but now I might just have to stop over. How fun!
Well now I am hungry! This looks incredible!
Everything looks so perfect and delicious!! This is definitely something I would love to do and I’d probably over eat! Who doesn’t love tasting food!?
Yum! I loved Ljubljana so much but this wasn’t around when I was there in 2009. What a way this great city has clearly come. They had great markets when I was there but this is taking it to a wonderful new level.
What a really incredible foodie experience – I love the concept of a gourmet street food market! And what a way to dive into the culinary scene from Slovenia! Everything looks great, and it’s so cool that the vendors of the stalls are friendly enough to chat – also that you can watch them making the food in front of you – freshest food you’re going to get!
How amazing to have been able to tour with the owner himself. Lior sounds great. Horse burger took me by surprise, but hey, I eat other meat, so why not right!!!
Ooooo, I need to go! This was an awesome foodie post, thanks for sharing 🙂
You’re welcome! I hope you get to go soon!