Dining & Nightlife - Restaurants

See also: Restaurants | Night life

Although Bratislava is not the culinary centre of Europe, our "Little Big City" offers lots of restaurants and cafes to suit all tastes, from traditional Slovak restaurants to the trendiest lounges following the latest culinary trends.

Every visitor of Bratislava should try at least one meal of the traditional Slovak cuisine, with its peasant-culture roots. The Slovak national meal is Bryndzove Halusky, small potato dumplings, similar to Italian gnocchi, topped with sheep’s cheese mixed with cream and sprinkled with bits of fried bacon. It definitely is worth a try.

Stylish restaurants

Malecon - Malecón is a restaurant located on the corner of the square Námestie Ľ. Štúra, right opposite the dock of Propeler on the Danube riverbank. If you are looking for a place that reflects the atmosphere and energy of Havana, Malecón is the best place. Throughout the years the place became the meeting place and melting pot of people and cultures. Over the years Malecón has became a legend. The spirit and vibrant atmosphere of Malecon will capture you with an ease and will stay in your memories forever. It is a place that will seduce you, relax you, and attract you over and over again.

Le Monde - Right in the heart of Bratislava‘s historical pedestrian zone, in the middle of Hviezdoslav square, you will find the stylish Le Monde restaurant. The name itself confirms that Le Monde represents a mixture of culinary creativity from all over The World.  The menu is a guide to various cuisines from Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, Asia and Central Europe, where modern and traditional cuisines come together. Beautiful rooms with an amazing view from the terrace and upper balcony combine with perfect service to make your visit memorable. A great place for new experiences! 

Medusa restaurant – one of the best restaurants in Bratislava. In the evenings it is changing to crowded bar and sometimes even dancing place in the weekends evenings. The opposite there is a Havana café and these two popular places opposite each other are changing from pleasant restaurants to lively and popular cocktail bars in the evening together with people standing on the street.

Paparazzi Ristorante & Cocktail Bar - chic Italian restaurant which is split into two parts. In the front there is a small bar and further there is a popular restaurant with tasteful meals and Italian wines. Located on Laurinska street. Restaurant Woch – on Fratiškánske square 7, is named after a 13th century knight. This is a luxurious restaurant known for its high standard of service, attractive ambience, and excellent dishes of Slovak and international cuisine.

Three Musketeers (Traja Mušketieri) – traditional cellar restaurant with 17th century atmosphere and waiters in traditional costumes from that age. On request there is a sword play entertainment available.

Flowers – visit in this place is like a relaxing in a winter garden. It is located in courtyard Erdödyho palace with a glass roof. Lot of flowers, paintings and a quite atypical interior. Special attention to the open space kitchen allows you to watch the chef  preparing one of the specialities of Italian or Mediterranean cuisine.

Irish Pub - is a very lively cosmopolitan pub, very popular among locals. Interior is very eclectic and interesting with a big fireplace and busy bar. It is not your romantic dining destination, but this is a great place to grab a bite to eat along with a Guinness or local beer.

Restaurant Prasna Basta - on Zamocnicka 11 has developed a strong reputation and is now featured in several tourist guides. What is interesting is that it remains very popular with an intellectual and artsy crowd of locals. In the summer, the restaurant offers very pleasant seating in its quiet backyard.

Slovak restaurants

Slovenska restauracia (Slovak restaurant) on Hviezdoslavovo namestie 20
Prasna Basta on Zamocnicka 11
Perugia Hotel restaurant the Gazdovsky dvor on Zelena street (and Hungarian dishes)

Vegetarian restaurants

Divesta at Lauurinska 8, (Ova, Lacto, Vegan, Fast-food)
Góvinda at Obchodna 30, (Lacto, Indian, Hare Krishna)
Elixir at Stefanikova 14, (Lacto, Vegan-friendly, International, Salad-bar, Juice-bar, Beer/Wine, Not 100% Vegetarian)
Vega Destination at Dunajska/Karadzicova street (Ova, Lacto, Vegan, International, Gourmet, Beer/Wine, Not 100% Vegetarian)

Ethnic restaurants

Asian	restaurant Fusion at the Crowne Plaza Hotel
Chinese	restaurant Palatin on Laurinska st., restaurant Bamboo Garden on Frantiskanske Square, restaurant Jasmin on Zidovska st., restaurant Shanghai at the Hotel Astra on Prievozska st. Other Chinese restaurants are spread around the town.
Croatian	restaurant U Mamicky at Palisady, with fresh seafood from a charcoal grill and a  open garden seating
Cuban	restaurant Malecon at Namestie Ludovita Stura (deluxe restaurants, outstanding dishes, excellent service, Cuban live music nights available, cocktail bar), restaurant Havana on Michalska st.
Greek	an authentic Taverna with an extensive menu and friendly service on Kosicka street
French	Ludwig restaurant at Venturska street (luxury), Le Monde on Hviezdoslavovo square (luxury)
Indian	restaurant Ashoka at Zivnostenska, restaurant Krishna at Bulharska, Govinda restaurant at Obchodna street (cheap but tasty vegan Indian)
Italian	available at many different locations just few to list:  Pizza Mizza on Tallerova (largest pizza in town), pizzeria Ciao at Trnavska road (one of the largest with outside seating), Al Dente Risorante on Hodzovo square 3,  La Mamma at Skultetyho street (cozy small with one of the best pizza) or Estremo on the same street (stylish one with very good service)
Japanese	Sushi Bar Tokyo on Strakova street ( also Thai food served), sushi Bar Kikaku on Gorkeho street, Asian Star at the Aupark Shopping Centre (also offering all-you-can-eat menu)
Jewish	Chez David restaurant on Zamocka stret (delicious kosher-style cuisine)
Lebanon	Samir restaurant on Zamocke stairs
Mexican	restaurant El Diablo at Sedlarska street (quite expensive), Hysteria on Odbojarov street (large restaurant with portions which are very cheap).

Quick Tips

It is best to point to each menu choice even if the waiter seems to understand, to avoid misunderstandings later. When paying, it is customary to round up the bill to the nearest hundred or fifty, to a total of five to ten percent. Cash tips will be appreciated, even if you are paying for the meal by credit card.

Almost all restaurants serve “à la carte” and side dishes (rice, potatoes, or fresh salad) must be requested separately. You should be sure to ask separately even for ketchup, salad dressing and bread, and expect to pay a few crowns for each of them. Note that fish prices are often given by weight, not by serving, and so will often cost more in the end than the “example” price given in the menu.

You will find restaurants claiming to have traditional ‘Slovak’ dishes all over Bratislava. It is not an officially certified name – there is no quality control about which restaurants are really “Slovak”, so of course the quality and price may vary. But in general any restaurant that displays the Slovak-language “Slovenska restauracia” will offer you a real chance to taste authentic Slovak cooking. Menus tend to range from basic grilled meat to traditional peasant meals based around cabbage or “bryndza” soft sheep cheese.