Are you hungry? There are many good restaurants and cafes in Bratislava. Here are a few of them:
Restaurants and cafés with traditional dishes
Kamzík Koliba - Traditional meals from Slovakia, good reviews, and interesting interior. They have two restaurants in the historic city center. The first is on Zelená 5, Bratislava - Old Town, and the second is on Michalská 16, Bratislava - Historic City Center.
Flagship or Bratislavská reštaurácia - Traditional meals from Slovakia and Bratislava region, good reviews, and fascinating interior. It was a monastery, then a theater and now it is one of the biggest restaurants in Central Europe. The address is Námestie SNP 8, Bratislava - a few hundred meters from the historic city center.
Slovak Pub - Traditional meals from Slovakia and good reviews. They have their own brewery and bio farm (25 km from Bratislava). You can get a cheaper menu there during lunchtime on weekdays and you can try what we eat daily. The address is Obchodná 62, Bratislava - outside the historic city center, but not very far.
Modrá Hviezda - Traditional meals from Slovakia and Bratislava. Nice interior. Good reviews. Not very far from the Castle. The address is Beblavého 14, Bratislava - the historic city center.
Pressburg Bajgel - Bakery and small cafeteria. In my opinion the best place in town for trying Bratislava Bagels (Bratislava rolls). They bake them there according to a traditional recipe from the end of the 19th century. And they have good coffee as well. :) The address is Ventúrska 2, Bratislava - historic city center. (Recommended during the tour.)
Bratislavská pekáreň (Bratislava Bakery) - traditional bakery. In my opinion very good place for trying Slovak pastries. Many Bratislavans buy there pastries because they are hand made and fresh. :) The address is Poštova 5, Bratislava - a few steps from historic city center.
YEME (popular among locals) - is a small supermarket full of farm products from Slovakia - cheeses, pastries, meat products ... It’s open daily from 7 AM to 9 PM. Be prepared for higher prices but also higher quality. The address is Námesie SNP 18, just a few steps from historical city center.
Kormuth Confectionery - They have very good reviews and impressive interiors. Be prepared for higher prices. (Ever Rick Steves visited this place during his travels in Europe. You can watch a short video on YouTube.) The address is Sedlárska 8, Bratislava - historic city center.
Naštartované RETRO (RETRO started) - If you want to experience the true atmosphere of a socialist cafe, this is, in my opinion, the best place in Bratislava. The address is, Medená 21, Bratislava - on the border of the old town.
Pirôžky (popular among locals) - If you like sweet fried pastries (like donuts or churros), this little shop is just for you. They only sell one type of pastry (pirôžky) and one filling (which is different every day). Thanks to this, the "pirôžky" are always fresh and warm. The shop/window is on the corner of Obchodná and Vysoká street - - a few hundred meters from the historic city center. Open only during working days.
The Oldest Shop in Town - Shop with traditional Slovak products and souvenirs, where you can visit a small museum for free. The address is Biela 6, Bratislava - historic city center.
ÚĽUV Bratislava - Center for Folk Art Production and Shop - If you are interested in traditional products from Slovakia, this is one of the best places in Bratislava where you can see them and buy them. There are two branches in Bratislava city center. Smaller shop is on Námestie SNP 12, a few steps from the historical city center and a bigger center ÚĽUV is on the street Obchodná 64. The website of this organization is here: Events - ÚĽUV (uluv.sk)
Traditional meals, drinks and snacks
Here are the traditional meal recommendations I gave you during the tour:
Alcoholic drinks: sparkling wine Hubert, black currant wine, Tatratea (strong liqueur from various types of teas and herbs) , Borovička (similar to gin), various fruit brandies and craft beers
Non-Alcoholic drinks: sodas Kofola (a substitute for Coca-Cola from Communist era), Vinea and Hronzovka (grape sodas)
Traditional meals: bryndzové halušky (national meal - potato dumplings with special sheep cheese), lokše (potato pancakes - you can eat them as a sweet dish or as a side dish with cabbage and duck), strapačky s kapustou (potato dumplings with cabbage and bacon), Pierogi (potato dumplings usually filled with a mixture of potatoes and sheep cheese), garlic soup in bread, cabagge soup.
Pastries: Bratislava rolls/bajgels "Bratislavské rožky"(sweet pastry), chimney cake "trdelník" (sweet pastry), "oškvarkový pagáč" (salty pastry made from pork cracklings)
Specialities: Treska v majonéze (mixed cod in mayo sauce - VERY popular among Slovaks, we eat it with fresh bread or rolls, you can buy in all bigger supermarkets, it’s quite heavy and slightly sour. It’s not for everyone. Higher percentage of cod means higher quality.) and mayo "salads"
Sweet snacks: wafers Horalky, Mila, Kakaové rezy, Kávenky, Lina, Mäta, chocolate bars Rumba and Nugát, box of chocolates Tatiana from the company Figaro, candies DOXY.
Salty snacks: Chrumky from the company MIVA (I think one of the most popular salty snacks from communist era in Slovakia, it’s a small package in white, red and blue colors) and Slovakia Chips.
Bon appetite! :)
Vegetarian / Vegan restaurants
Šmak Vegan Sushi (popular among locals) - If you like sushi and you are vegan or vegetarian, this place is exactly for you. It’s located directly in historical city center on Klariská street No. 12, just a few steps from St. Michael’s Gate.
Balans Bistro (popular among locals) - I think the best vegan restaurant in town. They have very good reviews and the staff is usually very nice. The address is Jozefská 23, Bratislava - outside the historic city center, but not very far.
Bemba - Raw food and plant-based and very good reviews. The address is Kollárovo námestie 17, Bratislava - outside the historic city center, but not very far.
Vegan kiosk - Good reviews and just a few steps from the historic city center. The address is Grösslingova 11, Bratislava - a few hundred meters from the historic city center.
Góvinda Bratislava (popular among locals) - Good reviews and one of the oldest vegetarian restaurants in Slovakia. The address is Obchodná 30, Bratislava - a few meters from the historic city center. (Quite difficult to find. You have to go downstairs.)
Huy Vege - Good reviews and prices. It’s a small bistro. The address is Kolárska 8, Bratislava - a few hundred meters from the historic city center. The address is Kolárska 8, Bratislava - a few meters from the historic city center.
VegaNana - Very good reviews. It’s a small vegan bakery, ideal for having a vegan breakfast. The address is Biela 4, Bratislava - historic city center.
Breakfast
Five Points - Breakfast is served from 9:00 a.m. The interesting thing is that they offer hand-roasted coffee and cappuccino with their own facial image in the foam. The address is Ventúrska 10, Bratislava - historic city center.
FACH - Breakfast is served from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The address is Ventúrska 10, Bratislava - historic city center.
Bistro 24 (popular among locals) - A very good place for breakfast, especially if you are traveling in the morning from the Main Station in Bratislava. Breakfast is served from 8:00 a.m. The address is Štefánikova 24, Bratislava - not far from the Main Train Station in Bratislava.
Ice Cream Shops
I Nonni Cremeria - For me, this is the best ice cream in town. It is artisanal gelato without additives - very high-quality Italian gelato that is not too sweet and you can feel the taste of quality ingredients in it. The address is Laurinská 9, Bratislava - historic city center.
Luculus Ice Saloon (popular among locals) - It is certainly the most traditional ice cream shop in the center of Bratislava. The business has been open here since 1954. The ice cream shop is so popular that the owner decided to open two more branches in the city center. They have excellent ice cream made from quality ingredients. You will definitely not be disappointed if you like sweeter ice cream. The address is Hviezdoslavovo námestie 16, Bratislava - historic city center.
Koun - The ice cream shop is a bit hidden, but that does not detract from the quality of the ice cream. Especially if you like thick ice cream with unusual flavors. Ice cream is a bit more expensive. The address is Paulínyho 1, Bratislava - historic city center.
Andersen Ice Cream - This ice cream shop has excellent ice cream. I really like the attitude of the owner, who is always kind and smiling. Unfortunately, this is not a matter of course everywhere. The address is Hviezdoslavovo námestie 169, Bratislava - historic city center.
Arthur - This ice cream shop has excellent ice cream, they are a bit more expensive and the staff is mostly not friendly. This is why I put them last on the list. The address is Rybárska brána 9, Bratislava - historic city center.
Are you thirsty? There are many good wine bars and pubs in Bratislava. Here are a few of them:
Wine bars
Slovak National Collection of wines - I think one of the best places in Slovakia where you can taste and buy Slovak wine. The space is part of the wine museum. You do not need to buy a ticket to the museum. Just go down the stairs to the cellar and get advice from the experienced staff. The address is Apponyi Palace, Radničná 1, Bratislava - directly in the historic city center.
Grand Cru Wine Gallery (popular among locals) - Inconspicuous small wine bar with a very pleasant atmosphere and very good wine. It is open in the evenings. The address is Zámočnícka 8, Bratislava - directly in the historic city center.
Viecha naturálnych vinárov (Winery of natural winemakers) - Fresh, unbottled tank wine from small winemakers from the Lesser Carpathian region and bottled wines of various varieties and vintages. And something to eat. The address is Old Market Hall, Nedbalova 13, Bratislava - on the border of the old town.
Vinotéka pri Modrom kostolíku (Wine shop near the Blue Church) - They offer the opportunity to taste a selection of 30 wines by the glass, plus over 300 types of Slovak and foreign wines. The address is Sienkiewiczova 2, Bratislava - a few hundred meters from the historic city center.
Wine tasting in the dark (Tmavá degustácia) - If you also want to taste wine in a different way, this is a very good place. Here you will learn how to taste and smell wine properly. Usually, you have to make a reservation in advance. The address is Michalská 3, Bratislava - directly in the historic city center.
I recommend you to try traditional blackcurrant wine (Cassis Liquer) , traditional sparkling wine Hubert (in all bigger supermarkets) or the traditional varieties Frankovka modrá -it’s red wine or rosé, rumor has it that it was Maria Theresa's favorite wine, Devín - a newer white wine variety bred in Slovakia in the 1950s named after a small village in Bratislava surroundings, or many others: white varieties Valentínske zelené, Tramín červený, Rizling vlašský, Rizling rýnsky, red or rosé varieties Svätovavrinecké, Alibernet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dunaj ...
Beer Halls and Pubs
Bratislavský Meštiansky Pivovar (Bratislava burgher's brewery - popular among locals) - The pub continues the old tradition of the famous "Die Bürgerliche Brauerei", called Meštiak by the locals. Good beer was brewed in it, and the adjacent brewery restaurant was famous for its home cooking. It offers visitors a special type of his own beer, which the pub is dedicated to. There are two restaurants in the city center. The first is on Dunajská 21 and the second is on Drevená 8, Bratislava - not very far from the historic city center.
Žil Verne - The pub offers Slovak (and foreign) craft beers, as well as beers that the owners specially prepare with some brewers or their nomads' brew in some Slovak brewery. The address is Panská 13, Bratislava - directly in the historic city center.
Výčap u Ernőho (Tap at Ernő's - popular among locals) - A pleasant pub where you can get beer from the Shenk family craft brewery. It is located in the pleasant surroundings of the Old Market. The beer is fresh, unfiltered, and unpasteurized. The address is Old Market Hall, Námestie SNP 25, Bratislava - on the border of the old town.
Steinplatz - a pub in the center of the city that has perfectly converted the original city toilets. There is a terrace with tables on the square and a bar with seating in the basement. Craft beer is on tap here. They even have beers brewed directly for this establishment. On hot summer days, it is very warm on the terrace. I recommend sitting here in the evening. The address is, Kamenné námestie, Bratislava - on the border of the old town - on the corner of Dunajská and Špitálska Streets
100 pív - Craft beer bar & shop (100 beers) - a small and pleasant beer shop where you can taste and try dozens of different beers. The address is, Medená 33, Bratislava - on the border of the old town.
Ready for partying? Bratislava bars and clubs are waiting for you:
Cocktail Bars
Michalská Cocktail Room - The inspiration for opening such a place as the Michalska Cocktail Room comes from the Prohibition period when throughout the USA, despite a ban, places with secret entrances began to sell illegal alcohol. Their entrances were hard to find, which made them all the more exciting. I recommend you make a reservation in advance and ask the barista at Urban Bistro for directions. :) The address is Michalská 5, Bratislava - directly in the historic city center.
American Antique Bar - Classic cocktails and chandeliers in a classy and comfortable bar, which has been welcoming guests for decades. The address is Rybárska brána 1, Bratislava - directly in the historic city center.
Mirror Bar - A very good bar in one of the most famous hotels in Bratislava - Hotel Carlton. The address is Radisson Blu Hotel Carlton, Hviezdoslavovo námestie 3, Bratislava - directly in the historic city center.
Spin Cocktail Bar - Excellent Cocktails and Great Atmosphere. The address is Radničná 1, Bratislava - directly in the historic city center.
Cuba Libre Rum & Cigar House - very good place for rum and cigar lovers. The address is Laurinská 11, Bratislava - directly in the historic city center.
Ruido.Cafe - Gay Bar Bratislava. The space is created to welcome the entire LGBTI+ community in Bratislava. The address is Michalská 7, Bratislava - directly in the historic city center.
Clubs and LIVE MUSIC
FUGA - (popular among locals) - LIVE MUSIC - They have electronic music, rock, metal, jazz concerts. The address is: Námestie SNP 24, Bratislava - on the border of the old town.
Aldea club - LIVE MUSIC If you like electronic music and you want to stay in the historical city center, this place is for you. The address is Františkánske Square No. 3. They are open only on Fridays and Saturdays.
Great Club Bratislava - The club is only open on Fridays and Saturdays. The address is: Suché mýto 6, Bratislava - on the border of the old town.
Channels - This club is an independent nightclub, established for 13 years. Situated in a historic building, we are one of the longest-standing late-night venues. They are open 365 days per year till the morning. The address is, Župné námestie 2, Bratislava - on the border of the old town.
Nu Spirit Bar (popular among locals) - a small den-like cellar for 60 people, is where it all started in 2001. The address is, Medená 16, Bratislava - on the border of the old town.
Kulturak Klub - It is a music club founded in the place where the Slovak legendary Hlava XXII club was located for many years. The address is Štefánikova 47, Bratislava - a few hundred meters from the historic city center.
Randal Klub (popular among locals) - LIVE MUSIC - Live&wild rock'n'roll music club. The address is Karpatská 2, Bratislava - 2 km from the historic city center.
JazzTikot - LIVE MUSIC - If you like jazz music and you want to stay in the historical city center, this place is for you. The address is Biela street No. 5.
BON BON Jazz Bar - LIVE MUSIC - As the name of the bar suggests, you can enjoy jazz at this place. The address is Štefánikova No. 31, a few hundred meters from the historical city center.
Rooftops and places with nice views
Sky Bar - The space is spread over two floors above Bratislava - the 7th floor consists of a bar and a restaurant, and on the 8th floor there is a patio divided into a restaurant area, a cocktail area, and a summer terrace with a view to the historical center of the old town. The address is Hviezdoslavovo námestie 7, Bratislava - directly in the historic city center.
UFO Watch.Taste.Groove - The iconic bridge, a symbol of Bratislava, is visited by thousands of visitors every year. You will have the panorama of the capital in the palm of your hand, Bratislava Castle, Parliament, St. Martina. Tickets can be purchased directly at the entrance reception of the UFO Observation Tower, without the possibility of booking in advance. The address is UFO Bridge, Bratislava - on the right river bank of the River Danube. (Recommended during the tour.)
Rooftop by Regal - bar with a restaurant in the center of Bratislava. We are located on the 2nd floor with a nice view not only from the terrace. The address is, Hurbanovo námestie 6, Bratislava - on the border of the old town.
Sundeck - is a former cargo ship. Nowadays it is a space for parties and concerts and a restaurant. The address is next to Old Bridge, Tyršovo nábrežie, Bratislava - on the right river bank of the River Danube.
Kamzík Tower (popular among locals) - Kamzik Tower is an actual TV tower and the second-highest point in Bratislava. On its top, there is an observation deck from where you have a perfect view of the whole city and you can even see the territories of boarding countries with Slovakia. There is a restaurant and a bar so you can enjoy the view along with having something tasty. You have to use public transport to get there from the city center.
If you’re on a budget
Supermarkets - the most popular supermarkets are Lidl, Tesco, Kaufland and Billa. Some of them have branches in the city center. Lidl is on Dunajská street 2, Tesco is on Kamenné square and Billa is on Mostová street 185 and SNP Square 7. All supermarkets in Slovakia are closed during public holidays.
Drinking fountains - you don’t have to buy water in Slovakia. We have very good quality of drinking water in Slovakia. There are many drinking fountains in Bratislava city center in summers. Here you can find a map: Public Drinking Fountains - map - Bratislava (freewalkingtourbratislava.com)
Public toilets - in many public toilets in Bratislava, you have to pay, but some of them are free of charge, for example: the public toilets next to the Primate’s Square, Hodžovo Square and the toilets at the Castle. More information here: Public toilets in Bratislava - map (freewalkingtourbratislava.com)
Here are a few places in and around Bratislava that you might be interested in:
Blue Church - The official name is Church of St. Elizabeth. It’s a Hungarian Art Nouveau Catholic church located in the eastern part of the Old Town in Bratislava, just 15 minutes walking from the city tour meeting point. More information you can find on this link: Blue Church | Places | Visit Bratislava
Old Town Hall - Museum of the City History - Complex of the Old Town Hall buildings represents a unique architectural development from the 14th up to the 20th century. It’s located in the central part of the Old Town on the Main Square. Museum inside the building offers a permanent and temporary exhibitions. Opening hours and admission here: Old Town Hall | Múzeum mesta Bratislavy (muzeumbratislava.sk)
Michael’s Gate - The tower stands as a prominent landmark at the heart of Bratislava on Michalska Street. It’s open to the public in the form of an exhibition. Tickets are on sale at the Pharmacy at the Red Crab at Michalská 28 (20m from Michael’s Gate). Opening hours and admission here: Michael's Tower | Múzeum mesta Bratislavy (muzeumbratislava.sk)
Grassalkovich palace is the residence of the president of Slovak Republic since the year 1996, yet first it had to go through a full-scale reconstruction to its original form from the 1860s. The presidential garden behind the palace is open for public. It’s located just a few hundred meters from the historical city center. President of the Slovak Republic - Presidential palace (prezident.sk)
Slovak National Gallery - The Slovak National Gallery is a network of galleries in Slovakia. It has its headquarters in Bratislava. The gallery has its displays situated in Esterházy Palace and the Water Barracks which, basically just a few steps from the historical city center. Opening hours and admission here: Slovak National Gallery | SNG
Devín Castle - For local people, the western part of Bratislava is one of the most popular places for trips. Only 10 km west of the city center, Devín Castle is set in beautiful natural scenery. You can use two modes of transport: bus or boat. If you want to go by bus, I recommend using bus number 29 at the bus stop under the UFO bridge. Tickets must be bought in yellow machines. I recommend buying 2 half-hour tickets per person, because there are not many yellow machines in Devin Castle. Tickets must be marked on the bus. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes. It is necessary to get off at the Hrad Devin stop. All stops in Bratislava are request stops.
If you want to go by boat, you will find more information on this website: Bratislava – Devín and back | Regular Cruise | LOD.sk
Slavín - the big Slavín war memorial is visible from much of the city. On a hill overlooking the castle, it commemorates the city’s liberation by the Red Army in April 1945. The easiest way to get to Slavín is by bus number 47 (direction Červený most) from Hodžovo Square. The journey takes approximately 10 minutes and you need to get off at the Búdkova stop. It is a 10-minute walk from there. Tickets must be bought in yellow machines and marked on the bus. All bus stops in Bratislava are request stops.
Eurovea Waterfront - This popular destination is more than just a shopping paradise, but also the place to enjoy a magnificent, sunshine-filled waterfront. The distance between Bratislava's historical center and Eurovea is accessible on foot. Eurovea is located near the Blue Church.
Bunkers in Petržalka - The bunkers in the Petržalka district date back to the 1930s and were built as part of the Czechoslovak defense system, specifically the defense line of Bratislava. Some of them have been renovated and are open to the public. Public transport does not run directly to the bunkers. The bunkers are located in the Petržalka surroundings. Bunkers can be reached on foot, by bicycle or by car. The nearest bus stop is Kopčianska. It is a good trip if you spend more time in Bratislava. Bunker B-S 8 Hřbitov (The Cemetery) | Places | Visit Bratislava
Danubiana - The Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum is named after the river that surrounds it, and its sponsor, the Dutch collector and art patron Gerard H. Meulensteen. You can get there by bus number 90 from the Nové SND stop in front of the Eurovea Shopping Center (direction Čunovo, Danubiana). Tickets must be bought in yellow machines. I recommend buying 2 one-hour tickets per person, because there are not many yellow machines in Čunovo (where Danubiana is located). Tickets must be marked on the bus. The journey takes approximately 35 minutes. It is necessary to get off at the Danubiana stop. All stops in Bratislava are request stops.
Parks and places for nature lovers
Sad Janka Kráľa - one of the oldest public park in Central Europe. It was founded on the right bank of the Danube in the years 1774-1776. The park had undergone many changes and today’s appearance of the park has been preserved since 1839. One of the best places for a longer walk in the city center. You can start by crossing the UFO Bridge, then walk along the right river bank in the direction of the river stream and then you can return back to the city center via the Old Bridge (the green one)
Presidential Garden - Grassalkovich Garden - Count Grassalkovich ordered the building of the Summer Palace by an unknown architect – most probably Artur Mayerhoffer after 1760. The cour d’honneur abutted the Palace from the south side, closed by the railings and an axially designed garden from the northern side, known as Grassalkovich Garden, behind today’s Presidential Palace.
Karloveské rameno is one of the many Danube branches. Thanks to the flow and dynamics of the water, unique banks with floodplain forests were formed here, which represent important nesting and food habitats for many species of birds. If you’re lucky, you’ll even come across beavers. It is worth going here for a leisurely walk, by bike, fishing, boating or to the Water Museum. (This is actually a neighborhood where I live.) It’s very easy to get here by tram No. 4 (the tram stop Botanická záhrada, just 4 or 5 tram stops from the stop Most SNP - UFO Bridge)
Železná studienka (The Iron Well) - It’s part of Bratislava Forest Park, which is managed by the city organization Mestké lesy on the behalf of the city. It is located on the southern edge of the protected area of Malé Karpaty Malé Karpaty (the Little Carpathians). This location is extremely popular among the locals. If you’re a hiker, this area is for you. The length of this low mountain range is almost 100 km. It’s very easy to get there. The best way is to take trolleybus No. 42 on the square in front of the Presidential palace and get off on the bus stop Červený most. It’s just 9 bus stops from the city center.
There are also many artificial lakes in Bratislava and Bratislava surroundings if you like swimming: the most accessible from the city center are Zlaté Piesky and Kuchajda
Here are some events taking place in Bratislava this week that you might be interested in:
If you want to know more about the current social situation and the history of Slovakia, I recommend watching the following movies:
The Killing of a Journalist (2022): The Killing of a Journalist (2022) - IMDb - a documentary about the murder of a journalist, which in 2018 caused the biggest protests in Slovakia since the Velvet Revolution.
The Shop on Main Street (1965): The Shop on Main Street (1965) - IMDb - Academy Award Winner from the 1960’s. Points to the issue of Aryanization during the Slovak Fascist State.
The Teacher (2016): The Teacher (2016) - IMDb - the story of a manipulative teacher from the communist period in Slovakia.
Piargy (2022): Piargy (2022) - IMDb - a story from the Slovak countryside at the beginning of the 20th century based on the book by the Slovak writer František Švantner.
Invalid (2023): Invalid (2023) - IMDb - a comedy that points out the prejudices against the Roma community in Slovakia
Midnight Mass (1962): Midnight Mass (1962) - IMDb - a dramatic story of a small-town family that collaborates with the Nazis during the period of the Slovak Fascist State
The Wolf Mountains (2013): The Wolf Mountains (2013) - IMDb - documentary about Slovak nature
and one special event from 12th May 2024: Jean Michael Jarre feat. Brian May - one amazing concert next to the UFO Bridge: Jean-Michel Jarre - STARMUS - BRIDGE FROM THE FUTURE - LIVE FROM BRATISLAVA - YouTube
If your next stop is Vienna, I recommend joining the tour with Mario - The Cradle of Vienna. It is a very pleasant tour focused on the history of the city. Or if you prefer a more spirited and funny interpretation of the guide, I recommend a city tour with Mirko (Free Walking Tour trough historical center of Vienna). You can reserve a place on this link: https://www.guruwalk.com/vienna?ref=azkv0v6yk10n3ruohwyl&pro=true
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