Best Brunch in Ljubljana: Local Favorites for Eggs, Pancakes & Great Coffee

Dear travelers,

I’ve lived in Ljubljana long enough to develop a very specific personality trait: judging a place by its poached eggs.

I wish I were joking.

If you ask me where to have brunch in Ljubljana, I won’t just give you a list. I’ll immediately start talking about hollandaise sauce, sourdough bread, shakshuka, pancakes, and whether a café understands that brunch is not simply breakfast served late.

Because brunch is an experience.

It’s slow mornings. It’s catching up with friends over coffee that somehow turns into lunch. It’s sitting in the sun by the Ljubljanica River pretending you’re in a European rom-com. It’s ordering pancakes when you’re not hungry enough for pancakes and then somehow finishing the entire plate.

While Ljubljana is often praised for its charming Old Town, dragon bridges, and castle views, I genuinely think its brunch scene deserves more attention. The city may be small, but it punches far above its weight when it comes to cafés, specialty coffee, and creative breakfast menus.

So if you’re visiting Ljubljana, or if you’re a local looking for your next weekend brunch spot, here are my favorite places to start.

1. EK Bistro – The Place I Always End Up Returning To

If someone gave me one brunch recommendation for Ljubljana, this would probably be it.

Not because it’s trendy. Not because everyone talks about it. But because every single time I go, I leave happy.

And considering I’ve probably tried almost the entire menu at this point, that’s saying something.

What to Order at EK Bistro

Let’s start with the stars of the show:

Poached eggs with pulled pork
Egg in a hole with bacon
Shakshuka
French toast
Pancakes
Pastrami sandwich

The poached eggs with pulled pork are one of those dishes that make you immediately want to steal bites from everyone else’s plates just to compare.

Spoiler alert: you won’t want to trade.

The last time I visited, I ordered the egg in a hole with bacon and honestly thought about it for days afterward. Crispy, comforting, and exactly what you want from a brunch dish.

And then there’s the shakshuka. I don’t care how many times I see shakshuka on a menu.

The answer is always yes.

Why I Love It

What makes EK Bistro special isn’t just the food. It’s the atmosphere.

The location near the river makes it feel effortlessly cool without trying too hard. People linger over coffee. Friends meet for brunch.

It’s also one of those rare places where both the sweet and savory options are equally strong.

Usually, a café excels at one. EK somehow manages both.

2. Le Petit Café – A Little Slice of France in Ljubljana

Every city has that café. The one that makes you feel like you’ve accidentally walked into another country.

For Ljubljana, that place is Le Petit Café.

The first time I visited, I immediately understood why people keep recommending it.

The atmosphere feels distinctly French.

You half expect someone to start discussing philosophy at the next table while casually eating a croissant.

What to Order

My personal favorite? The croque madame.

It’s comfort food at its finest.

Other great options include:

Baked eggs
Eggs Lorraine
Poached eggs
Pancakes
French pastries
Seasonal sweet dishes

The Vibe

Le Petit works for almost any occasion.

Breakfast before sightseeing?

Perfect.

Lazy brunch?

Perfect.

Lunch?

Also perfect.

Coffee and cake because you’ve convinced yourself you deserve a reward for walking around Ljubljana all morning?

Especially perfect.

One Small Warning

It gets busy. Really busy. Particularly on weekends.

If you’re planning a leisurely brunch, arrive early or be prepared to wait a little.

Trust me, it’s worth it.

3. Table by LivingRoom – The Cozy Brunch Spot Everyone Should Know About

Some places impress you with giant menus. Others impress you with flashy interiors.

Living Room Table impressed me with bread.

I realize that sounds ridiculous.

But hear me out.

The first time we visited, we ended up sitting outside in the garden area, which immediately felt like a hidden escape from the city.

The atmosphere was relaxed, welcoming, and surprisingly peaceful.

What We Ordered

We tried the poached eggs.

Excellent.

But what really stood out was the bread.

You know when bread is so good that you stop talking for a second?

That kind of bread.

Why Visit

Living Room Table feels different from some of the busier city-center cafés.

It’s slower.

Calmer.

More neighborhood-oriented.

The kind of place where brunch turns into a two-hour conversation without anyone noticing.

Best For

Slow mornings
Catching up with friends
Escaping busy tourist areas
People who appreciate really good bread

Final Thoughts: Where Should You Go First?

If you’re only in Ljubljana for a few days, here’s what I’d recommend:

Start with EK Bistro.

Order the poached eggs. Or the shakshuka. Or the French toast.

Honestly, you can’t really go wrong.

Then visit Le Petit Café for a completely different experience and soak up the French atmosphere.

And if you’re looking for something quieter, head to Living Room Table and enjoy one of the most relaxed brunch settings in the city.

The truth is, there isn’t just one best brunch in Ljubljana.

That’s what makes the city so enjoyable.

Each café has its own personality.

Some are lively. Some are cozy. Some are French. Some are obsessed with eggs.

And if you happen to see me sitting at a table somewhere, debating whether I should order pancakes or poached eggs yet again, just know that this is a decision I take very seriously.

Even if I usually end up ordering both.

Truly yours,

The Creation of Us

P.S.: Some of the links are affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!