A Guide to Eating and Drinking in Bratislava

  Bryndza and Halusky

Whilst Bratislava has recently seen an influx of international cuisine, from Italian to Chinese, it’s still possible to indulge in plenty of traditional Slovakian culture when it comes to eating and drinking in the capital.

The 'Slovenska restauracia' serve old-fashioned, hearty cooking with local specialties including 'bryndza' (a soft sheep’s cheese) and 'halusky' (a concoction of potato gnocchi, bacon and cheese).

A stroll around the Old Town will take you past many quaint restaurants which, although not spectacularly cheap, are still a bargain by Western European standards. Further south, there are also a number of quality eateries around the leafy Hviezdoslavovo namestie towards the river.

Away from the Old Town and to the north of the city, the cafés on Racianske myto and namestie SNP are popular with local students for their cheap prices and outdoor terraces, particularly during summer months.

Alternatively, Bratislava is packed with 'lahodky' which, although strictly fast-food joints, sell healthy soups and Slovakian delicacies such as 'treska' (cod salad) rather than the usual hamburgers and fries.

Travelers on a tight budget can also head to the Trznica Market Hall in namestie SNP, which sells Slovak wine and fresh produce that's great for a picnic or self-catering. It also has several small stalls where you can pick up traditional snacks and hot dishes.

In December, there’s an additional Christmas market held in front of the Old Town Hall which is a hub of holiday-themed activity, offering mulled wine and 'loksa' (traditional wheat flour pancakes) with wintry fillings like goose liver, nut and chocolate.

On the nightlife front, Bratislava is just as old-fashioned. In the Old Town, Hviezdoslavovo namestie and Korzo are crowded with beer halls known for their local brews and very cheap draft pints.

There are also several Communist-style bars (which are tourist attractions more than serious drinking places) and some trendy venues near the bus station. The best spots, however, are to be found near the castle at Beblaveho where nightfall attracts a pleasant mix of visitors and locals.

With much of its center a pedestrian zone, Bratislava has a more relaxed ambience than many European capitals. And it’s this wonderful vibe (as well as the chance to totter between bars without being run over by a Skoda) that makes the city’s nightlife so unique and enjoyable, rather than the venues themselves.

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