The BBC’s Good Food project has listed Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana among the top ten destinations for food lovers to visit in 2019.

Food in Slovenia’s Capital Ljubljana is varied, almost always of excellent quality and normally great value. (photo: Nea Culpa d.o.o., slovenia.info)

The BBC Good Food’s top 10 destinations for foodies 2019 are as follows:
1. Matera (Italy)
2. Amsterdam (the Netherlands)
3. Ljubljana (Slovenia)
4. The South Aegean islands (Greece)
5. Yorkshire (U.K.)
6. Corsica (France)
7. Pittsburgh (USA)
8. Japan
9. Peru
10. Ethiopia

While many food lovers from around the world may be very surprised to see the small capital of Slovenia ahead of such vast areas of culinary delights as the French Island of Corsica, placed at #6, or the whole of Japan, placed at #8, the ranking is a much-needed boost for the Slovenian gastronomy, which has been neglected by foodies, gourmets, gourmands and the culinary elite for too long.

In writing why Ljubljana deserves it’s place in the top 10, the writer of the article explains: ‘Small but perfectly formed, the so-called ‘Europe in miniature’ is so much more than that. Slovenia’s food culture is little bit Eastern European, a little bit Alpine, a little bit Med, but very much its own thing, too. The tiny capital, Ljubljana, has hipster coffee spots and killer burger joints but also cosy old country restaurants where rustic cuisine reigns supreme. Think: pršut (air-dried ham), zlikrofi (a ravioli-like pasta filled with herby pork), and indulgent gibanica cake (a blend of shortbread and fruity strudel) – dishes that are plentiful in beautiful lake and mountain towns like Bohinj and Bled. Chefs like Ana Roš are leading the charge for inventive Michelin-starred Slovenian cuisine, and there’s a little stretch of coast, too, where simple shellfish and fish carpaccio dishes are a fresh counterpoint to hearty inland eats.’

The full story, with all the details, can be read here.

In Ljubljana, residents and visitors can eat pretty much whatever they like, whenever they like. (photo: Jost Gantar, slovenia.info)

As you’d expect, Slovenia has culinary regions with different traditions, but you’ll find a sampling of them all in the capital. (photo: Jost Gantar, slovenia.info)

Open Kitchen or Odprta Kuhna as it is called in Slovene is a food market where you can experience the delights of freshly cooked food prepared by different Slovenian chefs right there in front of you, on the market stalls. (photo: Jost Gantar, slovenia.info)

The choice of food on offer is wide and varied. (photo: Jost Gantar, slovenia.info)

Open Kitchen, a gourmet street food market in Ljubljana. (photo: Jost Gantar, slovenia.info)

From trendy restaurants to street food, Ljubljana is the perfect destination for food-lovers. (photo: Nikola Jurisic, slovenia.info)

All You Need To Know To Visit Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA – the small but beautiful capital of Slovenia Slovenia's capital Ljubljana has all the right ingredients for the perfect city break. It's one of the youngest and most liveable capitals in the European Union. It’s a city with a medieval heart, a city of the Baroque and Art Nouveau, with numerous picturesque bridges across the Ljubljanica river and the vast green Tivoli park, which stretches into the very city centre.

Photos courtesy of Slovenia.info!