Slovak Food – 25 Classic Dishes You Must Try

Writer: Helena Bergström

Slovak cuisine is rustic, filling and steeped in tradition. Simple ingredients like potatoes, cabbage, cheese and meat take centre stage, while of course there are plenty of modern influences.

In this guide, we go through what to eat in Slovakia – and list 25 classic Slovak dishes you don't want to miss.

What do you eat in Slovakia? – a quick overview

We have previously written about Czech food and Austrian food – and now it’s Slovakia’s turn. Slovak cuisine is clearly influenced by its neighboring countries, but at the same time has its own soul. Here are some typical features:

• Potato: Base in many dishes
• Meat: Pork, beef and game
• East: Especially sheep's milk cheese
• Soups: Important part of food culture

We have visited Slovakia during a trip to Bratislava and the surrounding area, and this trip attracts more visits. We managed to try a lot of local dishes, and here we share both experiences and other tips.

Typical Slovak food – 25 classic dishes

Here we list Slovak dishes that are interesting to try, including snacks, sweets and drinks.

1. Bryndza dumplings

The national dish of Slovakia and a true classic. Small potato dumplings served with creamy sheep's milk cheese (bryndza) and often topped with crispy bacon. The dish is simple and filling, and appears on menus all over the country. Delicious, in our opinion!

2. Cabbage

A hearty soup based on sauerkraut that is often served at holidays. The soup usually contains sausage, mushrooms and sometimes dried fruit. The taste is rich and slightly sour, which makes it both warming and exciting.

3. Szeged goulash

A variation of goulash with pork and sauerkraut. It is creamier than the Hungarian version and has a distinct sourness from the cabbage. The dish is often served with bread or dumplings and is very popular as an everyday meal.

4. Fried cheese

Fried cheese served with French fries and tartar sauce. This is a simple dish that can be found in almost any restaurant – and is also popular with vegetarians.

5. Pečená kačica (oven-roasted duck)

Oven-roasted duck served with red cabbage and dumplings. This dish is common in much of Central Europe, and we order it often – this is a favorite of ours!

6. Pečená hus (oven-roasted goose)

A classic dish often served during the fall, especially in conjunction with traditional goose dinners. The goose is cooked slowly until the meat is tender and the skin is crispy.

The goose is usually served with red cabbage and lokše (potato pancakes), and the meal is often an experience in itself. We got to experience it all in the village of Slovenský Grob – and this is something we can highly recommend!

7. Bravčové koleno

A hearty dish of slow-cooked tender pork shank. The meat is often served with mustard, horseradish and bread. The portions are generous and the dish is sometimes shared between several people.

8. Stuffed peppers

Peppers stuffed with minced meat and rice in a mild tomato sauce. This is a classic home-cooked dish that feels both simple and homely. Reminiscent of similar dishes throughout Central Europe.

9. Schnitzel

A breaded schnitzel, usually made from pork. Schnitzel is usually served with potato salad or French fries – one of the most popular dishes in the country and a surefire restaurant staple.

10. Lokse

Thin potato pancakes that are often served with duck or goose. They can be both savory and sweet depending on the accompaniments. We ate these potato pancakes as a side dish for a goose dinner, and we really liked them!

11. Oštiepok and parenica

Ostiepok is a traditional Slovak cheese, often made from sheep's milk and with a distinctly smoky flavor. Parenica is another classic cheese that is instead formed by rolling the cheese together in thin layers into a spiral. It is available in both natural and smoked forms and is popular as a snack.

12. Korbáčiky

Braided cheese snacks that are also lightly smoked. They are salty, slightly chewy and very popular as snacks. They are often found in markets and small shops. Perfect to take with you as a simple snack!

13. Potato pancakes

Crispy potato pancakes that resemble raw rice cakes. The pancakes are often seasoned with garlic and served hot. They are simple but flavorful, and are suitable both as a side dish and as a dish in their own right.

14. Spreads

Different types of spreads served on bread. The spreads can be made with cheese, eggs, garlic or fish, for example. We have had them served both as a starter and as part of a breakfast buffet.

15. Pirohy (steamed or boiled pierogies)

Small dough balls filled with potatoes, cheese or meat. The balls are boiled or steamed and often served with butter or sour cream. They are similar to dumplings and are very popular throughout the region.

16. Gypsy bread

A street food classic with grilled meat in bread. The ”burger” is often topped with onions, mustard and sometimes paprika – common at markets and festivals.

17. Klobása

Slovak sausage, with a smoky and spicy flavor, which comes in many varieties. The sausage is often grilled and can be served with bread and mustard – a natural part of street food and market life.

18. Garlic soup

A garlic soup that is sometimes served in a hollowed-out bread bowl. The soup is relatively simple, but warming and a common favorite.

19. Šúľance

Small pieces of dough made from potatoes served with poppy seeds and sugar. They can also be topped with nuts or butter. This is a sweet and filling dish that is often eaten as a dessert or a light meal.

20. Makovnik

Makovník is a classic cake filled with poppy seeds. The cake is moist and has a rich, nutty flavor. We tried it at a restaurant after a goose dinner, and it was a delicious experience.

21. Bratislava rolls

Small, crescent-shaped pastries filled with poppy seeds or walnuts. The pastry, which is a specialty of Bratislava, has a protected status within the EU and is the pride of the city. Perfect as a snack or dessert!

22. Honeysuckle

Medovník is a sweet honey cake with several layers and a creamy filling. The cake is often served at festive occasions.

23. Slovak wine

Slovakia has a long tradition of wine production, not least when it comes to white wines. The wines are often fresh and aromatic and go well with the local food. In Bratislava, for example, you can visit Slovak National Collections of Wine at Apponyi Palace or go on a wine safari outside the city.

24. Slivovice

Slivovica is a strong alcoholic drink, often served as a welcome drink. The drink has a strong flavor and is used both at parties and in everyday life.

25. Kofola

A local soft drink with a taste reminiscent of cola but with its own twist. It was created during the communist era as an alternative to Western drinks. Today it is very popular and something you often see in restaurants and cafes. A must try – and yes, really delicious!

Food at a restaurant in Slovakia

At restaurants in Slovakia you can eat traditional Slovak food as well as innovative modern food, and food from all over the world. There is also the opportunity to experience Slovak wine! Read more here:

• 7 restaurants in Bratislava you don't want to miss
• On a wine safari in Slovakia

Food in different parts of Slovakia

There are regional differences in the cuisine:

• Bergen: Focus on cheese, potatoes and simple dishes
• Southern parts: More peppers and spices
• Cities: Greater variety and more modern influences

More about food in other countries

Here you can find more stories about food in different countries:

• Czech food - 20 Czech dishes
• Polish food - 25 Polish dishes
• Estonian food – 17 Estonian dishes
• Hungarian food – 25 Hungarian specialties
• Austrian food - 15 Austrian specialities