Top 10 Culinary Specialties in Bratislava

What to eat in Bratislava? Our top 10 specialties.

1. Kapustnica

First of all, know that in Slovakia, and more precisely in Bratislava, soups are an integral part of meals. So, it's not uncommon that if you go to a restaurant in the city one day, you'll find at the top of the list the "kapustnica", which is none other than THE star soup of Slovak cuisine. It contains smoked sausages with sauerkraut mixed with paprika. People also like to add pieces of pork knuckle with mushrooms, or even pieces of plums... Yes, you read that right. The taste is said to be exquisite. Accompanied by a few slices of bread and you're all set!

2. Bryndzové Halušky

After the national soup, it's time to present the national dish: bryndzové halušky. A difficult term to pronounce certainly, but easy to eat as it delights the taste buds! Do you visualize what gnocchi are? Well, it's almost the same concept. Water potatoes made with sheep's white cheese called "Bryndza", mixed with well-grilled bacon bits, or smoked sausages. In the past, it was the nobility's favorite dish. Easy to cook, it generally pleases everyone.

3. Juniperus

Behind its ancestral traditions, Slovakia has managed to develop a very large wine heritage. So much so that fruits picked by hand and distilled artisanally are considered the best brandies you'll have the chance to taste. What do we recommend? "Juniperus" very often gets unanimous approval from tourists. The fermentation of juniper berries used in the preparation is particularly delicious on the palate. This drink was once served at the court of the legendary Austro-Hungarian emperor, and according to some specialists, it would have numerous virtues.

4. Bábovka

You know what would go perfectly with your glass of Juniperus? A generous slice of Bábovka, a traditional Czech cake very widespread in Slovakia, and in its capital. The most common version is the one similar to a marbled cake, the mixture between vanilla and chocolate is absolutely divine. The sweet dough gently tickles our tongue, then makes our whole body quiver. It's a refined delicacy that's hard to resist! Some like to add rum-soaked raisins or almonds to the preparation. Yum!

5. Zemiaková Packa or Harula

Here's a food you're sure to love because it's so simple and delicious. Zemiaková Packa is nothing other than a potato pancake made from grated potato pieces that are fried in a pan. While they're generally eaten alone, the most indulgent like to add all sorts of varied toppings: onions, eggs, a little paprika, or pieces of meat. A real festival of flavors! Both soft and crunchy, this little delicacy that's extremely easy to cook pleases both young and old.

6. Oštiepok

Are there dairy product lovers among our readers? Do you like cheese? That's good, so do we. It's amazing all the things we have in common. If during the afternoon you get a little hungry, cut a delicious slice of bread on which you've delicately placed a piece of cheese. Look no further and opt for oštiepok. It's clear you won't be able to resist this little cloud that's soft and melts under the tongue. This traditional cheese, made with smoked sheep's milk, is very widespread throughout Slovakia. You'll be led to taste it sooner or later, and you won't be disappointed!

7. Guláš

Guláš, or more commonly called "goulash", is a beef-based soup. In the past, legend tells that it was a dish from a peasant family. Later, it integrated bourgeois gastronomy, to become one of the most widespread dishes in the whole country. What we love about goulash? It's the divine mixture between meat, vegetables, mushrooms, and spices. A pleasant color to look at, an enticing smell that we owe partly to the mixture of spices and meat, an explosive taste in the mouth. What more could you ask for?

8. Mohnnudeln

Slovak gastronomy comes from various influences. That's why it's not surprising to find in this ranking a dish straight from Bohemian and Austrian cuisine. Mohnnudeln, which can be translated as "poppy noodles" in German, are served with melted butter and ground poppy seeds that give the black color to the dish. Very intriguing, isn't it? A real treat for the taste buds, it's generally eaten as a main dish. However, some even keep it as dessert! It's a specialty that's rather easy to cook at home, children love to help grind the poppy.

9. Slovak Alcohol

If you ever stroll through the streets of Bratislava, treat yourself to a little break at the edge of a terrace of a charming café. There, let yourself be tempted by a delicious traditional beer whose secrets the Bratislavians know. You have plenty of choice: "Steiger", "Topvar", or Corgoň... There's something for all tastes! You'll find gentle mixtures of pears, plums, but also liqueurs made from mountain plants. Alcohol is well integrated into the country's culinary habits, you often find it at lunch or dinner time on dining tables. Far from the idea of getting drunk, the goal is above all to slowly taste a refined delicacy prepared with care.

10. Pirohy

We finish our appetizing little list with a sweet touch. Come discover Pirohy, a sort of ravioli traditionally stuffed with jam (very often blueberry), and sometimes even with sheep's white cheese. However, while it's an absolutely exquisite dessert, pirohy can also be an interesting dish to taste. It can be associated with different types of fillings. The best is actually the one with potato pieces mixed with smoked bacon. So, convinced?