There is no real "Slovak cuisine" known and eaten around the world, as there is with many other countries like many other European and Asian nations. However, there are still many meals which could be considered typically Slovakian, and as such you should try some of them when you are here.
This Slovakia Cuisine and Food Guide gives an insight into what type of food you may encounter. Information about shopping in Slovakia can be found on our Slovakia Shopping page. To view more local cuisine and restaurant suggestions, check out our Bratislava and Tatra Mountains restaurant guides.
Slovakia Cuisine & Food Guide
While in Slovakia it is recommended that you try out the local cuisine at least a few times, although in recent times a lot of restaurants offering international food have sprung up. The fare also varies from one region to another due to influences of neighbouring areas.
Traditional foods include a liberal use of vegetables like potatoes, cabbage and onions. Beans, lentils and corn are also used. Wheat flour is found in most recipes, although rice is now being imported and is seen in modern kitchens. There is no dearth of fruit: apples, pear, peaches, oranges, kiwis, bananas, apricots, plums and cherries can be found at most fruit shops. Cheese made from cow and sheep milk is an important ingredient in many dishes. Meats that are used commonly include pork, fish, chicken and beef. On special occasions, the Slovaks also use lamb, duck, turkey and venison.
Some Popular Slovak Dishes
- Kapustnica: This is a popular soup, which is often served at weddings. Made from cabbage and smoked pork sausage, it is the perfect soup for a cold day. Variations also include adding mushrooms and plums, especially during Christmas time.
- Bryndza cheese: A popular appetiser, it is made in pastry dough and then flavoured with paprika and served with bread. This is eaten during festive occasions.
- Cesnakova Polievka: This is a garlic soup usually cooked in chicken broth with parsley and egg, or croutons.
- Bryndzove halusky: This is considered as the national dish of Slovakia. These are small dumplings made out of potato, dough and Bryndza sheep cheese.
- Fazuova Polievka: This is another Slovak soup, which is made of beans and root vegetables such as carrots and parsley. Smoked pork may also be added to this.
- Cheeses: Parenica, Ostiepok, Korbacik are different flavours of cheese used in Slvakian cooking
- Treska: This is a cold salad made of codfish, mayonnaise and vegetables.
- The most popular alcoholic drink is slivovica, a brandy made of plums. Traditionally you start dinner with this drink.
Beer is very much the lifeblood of the Slovak society, with a rate of consumption that easily tops the world league table. Visit a typical Slovak pub (pivnice or hosposa) and you'll find simple wooden benches, beer sold by the half-litre, and an atmosphere that thankfully makes few concessions to foreign visitors. For wine drinkers, wine cellars (Vinaren) are the place to head, with good quality wines from the Modra area alongside cheaper, more potent offerings, that will almost certainly give you a hangover the next day!
