The best restaurants in Slovenia have been named during the fourth annual edition of The Slovenia Restaurant Awards 2020.
The three restaurant winners in this year's national category include the world-renowned Hiša Franko, Vila Podvin and Dvorec Zemono – Gostilna pri Lojzetud.
During the online ceremony, each winner was given the opportunity to reflect on the awards, the current situation in the hospitality industry, and the importance of development for the future. Ana Ros, who went into lockdown with her entire team of staff, said: "We jump into the water, but we don’t know the depth. We want to survive the situation, because it is a big financial blow for all of us."
This year's edition saw a record-breaking number of participants, with 6,520 votes cast from within gastronomic associations, and 27,630 votes from the general public, making a total of 34,150 votes.
Eligible restaurants had to be open for at least one year, and were scored on food and drink (variety, quality of ingredients, presentation of dishes, harmony of tastes, innovation and appropriate combination of food and drink) and service (greeting, service, way of recommending food and drinks and knowledge of the wait staff).
Despite this year's event being held online, it did little to detract from the growing restaurant community in a country that is also the European region of Gastronomy 2021. Restaurants were able to re-open earlier this month, and the first Slovenian Michelin Guide will launch imminently, having been postponed from earlier in the year.
The Slovenia Restaurant Awards 2020
Best restaurant in the Mediterranean & Karst Slovenia
Gostilna pri Lojzetu – Dvorec Zemono
Best restaurant in the Alpine Slovenia region
Hiša Franko
Best restaurant in Thermal Pannonian Slovenia
Hiša Denk
Best restaurant in Ljubljana and central Slovenia
Restaurant JB
In other awards:
Best Inn
Gostilna pri Lojzetu – Dvorec Zemono
Best hotel restaurant
City Terasa
Best culinary newcomer and VOX POPULI
Stari Pisker Inn and Pub
Best tourist farm
Domačija Majerija