Best of Ljubljana: Best Cafe 2023
Ljubljana boasts many cafes and are popular rest-spots for both locals and tourists. Whether you want to enjoy a hot cuppa with cake, a spot of lunch, or maybe just a good people-watching place, the city's cafes can pretty much cover all your needs. Here's our carefully selected finalists for this year's Best Cafe category.Čopomana
This exceedingly welcoming café is known to produce some of the best cakes in town, while during the spring and summer months the homemade, all-natural ice cream does such an efficient job of drawing in the local neighbourhood children that even the Pied Piper of Hamelin would be jealous. However, what really sets Čopomana apart is their willingness to organise children's birthday parties, with specially tailored workshops where the pint-sized chefs can try their hand at preparing cakes, macarons and the aforementioned ice cream. All in all a highly recommended destination for kids of all ages and anyone with a sweet tooth. Read more...
Špica Caffe
The latest effort from the fabled Kaval Group, Špica is guaranteed to become a true summer favourite in Ljubljana. Situated at the Špica itself, where the Ljubljanica divides before entering the city, it is tailor made for lounging on the riverside with a cold drink watching the days go by. The modern bar does a great line in refreshing cocktails, which go together almost too well with the scenery. Don’t be surprised to see spontaneous dancing on the terraces as well.
Kavarna Rog
Kavarna Rog is one of our favourite cafés around - and not only because it's a 30-second walk from our flat. Located along the Ljubljanica below the old Rog bicycle factory, the café is one of the few places in town where you can find a proper breakfast, and the lengthy menu of gourmet soups, sandwiches, salads and desserts (not to mention wines) makes it a popular lunchtime stop. It stays open late as well, and the dark and moody modern interior is perhaps best suited for a drink than anything else.
Čopomana
This exceedingly welcoming café is known to produce some of the best cakes in town, while during the spring and summer months the homemade, all-natural ice cream does such an efficient job of drawing in the local neighbourhood children that even the Pied Piper of Hamelin would be jealous. However, what really sets Čopomana apart is their willingness to organise children's birthday parties, with specially tailored workshops where the pint-sized chefs can try their hand at preparing cakes, macarons and the aforementioned ice cream. All in all a highly recommended destination for kids of all ages and anyone with a sweet tooth.
POLO cafe & bar
Conveniently located within Siska’s market, this excellent cafe makes a welcome stop at any time of day. From morning coffee through to evening cocktails, with a whole host of other options in between, POLO cafe and bar has you covered.SEM
A trendy, industrial-look café attached to the Ethnographic Museum featuring a glass floor, lots of wacky art, coffee, cakes and booze. Too pretentious for some perhaps, but a charming place all the same and certainly a place to meet some of the city’s more interesting characters.
Kavarna Union
Located on the ground floor of the excellent hotel of the same name, this is the quality café experience taken to its very sophisticated best. Named after a former café once famous for its artistic clientele, this updated version keeps its original charm and continues to attract a wide range of interesting and colourful visitors. As well as some great machine-made coffee there’s also Turkish coffee served in a classic cezve, plus an excellent wine list and plenty of quality snacks too. A super place for some quiet time with a book, or for that matter in the company of good friends.
Kavarna Maček
Located along the bank of the Ljubljanica River, half-way between Cobblers Bridge and Fishmarket Footbridge, Kavarna Maček provides the perfect spot to sit back, relax and watch the world go by. You can enjoy coffee and light bites, as well as cocktails and fine wines along with a selection of light bites. In recent years Maček has undergone huge renovation and has been transformed from a scruffy but comfortable bar into a popular and stylish cafe.Drama Cafe
Given the clue in the name, it’s no surprise to discover that this delightful cafe is connected to the Slovenian National Theatre. It provides a stylish, old-meets-new entertaining area that’s perfect to relax and chat with friends and just switch off from the world. The cafe also hosts small literary and musical events, media conferences and discussions. You’ll find it through the main entrance of Drama, along with a seasonal terrace area, which also doubles as an event space during summer.

KavaČaj Slamič
Translating simply as CoffeeTea, the hugely popular café inside the Slamič B&B serves excellent coffee and a wide range of teas as well as cakes and puddings in abundance. As well as the nice ground floor venue there’s a larger area upstairs and an all-year terrace.
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