Best of Ljubljana: Best Cafe Terrace 2023
Every single attempt to compile a list of the best cafe terraces that Ljubljana has to offer will throw up different names, and plenty are missing here that could just as easily top alternative lists. But here they are, this year's finalists. Which one will you vote for?
Vrt Lili Novy - WINNER
Just a skip away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, Vrt Lili Novy offers visitors a calm sanctuary where they can enjoy a wide range of sweet treats, hot and cold beverages, and this location lends itself perfectly for an afternoon glass of wine. The venue also hosts music evenings and culinary events. We’ve come to expect the best from the Kaval Group, and once again they do not disappoint. Read more...
Grajska Kavarna
Overlooking the city from one of the best vantage points possible, sits the wonderful Grajska kavarna, where you’ll find home-made natural juices, top-quality wines, freshly prepared snacks and some truly exquisite sweet treats waiting for you. And of course, superb coffee that you can sip as you relax and soak up the atmosphere of one of Slovenia’s most loved castles.
Čolnarna Park Tivoli
Set beside a pond in the south west part of Tivoli Park, this popular café is a calm oasis walking distance from the city centre. Open all day, Čolnarna offers something for everyone. Relax with a coffee and muffin in the morning, grab a sandwich for lunch or indulge in a delicious sweet treat for afternoon tea. Especially well-suited for families and children, nearby are outdoor play areas, there’s a kid’s corner inside and Čolnarna has ice cream - the ultimate treat (bribe). Not just for families, it’s also a romantic spot to catch the sunset with a cocktail and look out for the regular live music nights.
Platana
Occupying some prime real estate on Kongresni Trg, Platana offer everything you would expect from a classy bar and bistro in the centre of town. Superb coffee, freshly-squeezed juices and a variety of a wines and champagnes are on offer among other things, but it really is the shaded outdoor seating that is the big pull. We can’t think of a better place to sit and watch the beautiful people stroll by on an afternoon. A variety of breakfasts, snacks, sandwiches and cigars are also available.
Nebotičnik Café
After being shuttered for nearly a decade, the best views in the city are once again open to the public. Occupying the top floor of Ljubljana’s famed Neboticnik building, the highest residential structure in Europe when it opened in 1933, the terrace’s 360° views from the Alps to the castle to the mountains in the south are truly breathtaking, and the coffee, cocktails and homemade cakes are worth trying as well. This is an absolute must for all visitors to the city.
Caffe Bienale
With its location in the beautiful setting of Ljubljana’s Tivoli Park, a coffee stop doesn’t get much better than this. From the large sunny terrace you can enjoy the water features and greenery below and also look further down to the Jakopič Promenade. Open from 9:00 every day and through to the early evening Caffe Bienale is popular with visitors throughout the year. A selection of sandwiches and light bites are available along with cakes, sweet pastries and ice creams. As part of the Kaval Group other events can be arranged, including romantic evenings for two and the venue also makes the perfect choice for a fairytale wedding.
Petkovšek
Put simply, Petkovšek is a place to meet. Situated by the Ljubljanica with a gorgeous view of the castle, it serves excellent coffee and a large variety of beers from Slovenia’s growing troupe of craft breweries. Whether you sit outside or inside you can’t really go wrong, with the pleasant outdoor atmosphere mirrored by the interior which reminds us of the sort of place intellectuals would meet to discuss the ills of world centuries ago.
Le Petit Café
Close your eyes, and try to imagine a café called Le Petit that happens to be sitting on a square named after the French Revolution. Le Petit café will match your imaginings and then some. Our first thought was adorable, but there is so much more to it than this. An excellent choice for breakfast or an afternoon coffee, Parisian chic abounds with added elegance and grace, whether you choose to sit outside or in the none-more-romantic inside.
