Top 22 Traditional Foods
in Styria

Obara is a hearty Slovenian stew that's prepared with a combination of various types of meat, offal, and vegetables such as onions, carrots, celery, peas, beans, and turnips. In the past, obara was only prepared on celebration days, wedding days, or Sunday, but nowadays it can be served on any day of the year. The stew is often served accompanied by ajdovi žganci. Also, there is an interesting variety of this stew called polšja obara, prepared with dormouse.Expand

Manufactured and cured only in the Upper Savinja Valley, this cured meat cut is the most prized delicacy of northeastern Slovenia. Želodec, which translates to 'pig stomach', was named after the tradition of stuffing the animal casings with a mixture of pork meat and bacon. Depending on the size of pig stomach, about 5 to 6 kilos of only high-quality pork meat and bacon are used for the stuffing, which should have an 80:20 meat-to-bacon ratio. The mixture is finely chopped and seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic. After stuffing, the casings must be strained, pressed for a few days, and dry cured for about 3 to 6 months. Zgornjesavinjski želodec has a distinctive flat shape. It is traditionally cut into thin rectangular slices and most commonly served as an appetizer accompanied by pork paté, cheese, and sourdough bread.Expand

Ajdnek is a rustic Slovenian dessert consisting of soft buckwheat dough that is layered with a sweet walnut filling. The yeasted dough usually combines wheat and buckwheat flour in equal amounts, while the ground walnut filling is enriched with honey, cinnamon, and vanilla flavoring. In the past, ajdnek was mainly prepared for various festive occasions, and it is traditionally associated with Upper Savinja Valley.Expand

Pražene gobe z jajci is a Slovenian dish with origins in the Štajerska region, where mushroom picking is a common and popular activity, so baked mushrooms with eggs and fresh parsley is a beloved dish in the region, served as a hot appetizer or an independent dish. In order to prepare it, the mushrooms should be cleaned and cut into thin slices, then sautéed with onions. Chopped parsley, pepper, and chopped garlic are then added to the pan before the addition of whisked eggs. The concoction is seasoned with salt and stirred until the eggs have been thoroughly cooked. It is recommended to serve the dish with moderately strong or slightly spicy dry or semi-dry wines.Expand

Prleška gibanica is a traditional cake originating from Prlekija. This version of gibanica is prepared with curd cheese and sour cream. Other ingredients include eggs, flour, sugar, oil, butter, vinegar, salt, and warm water. The dough is rolled into thin sheets, then topped with a combination of curd, eggs, and sour cream in alternating layers. The last layer of dough is topped with sour cream and a bit of sunflower oil, and the cake is then baked until it's ready to be served. If desired, prleška gibanica can be (once again) topped with sour cream and sprinkled with sugar before serving.Expand

Different types of gibanica layer cakes can be found in almost every Slovenian region. In Pohorje, gibanica is made with yeast dough and homemade cottage cheese. The cake can be enriched with seasonal ingredients such as dried pears, apples, forest fruits, or tarragon, making this dessert interesting regardless of the time of year. When Pohorska gibanica has cooled down, and before serving, it is traditionally sprinkled with powdered sugar. It is recommended to serve the cake with moderately strong semi-sweet wines.Expand

One of the charcuterie favorites of northeastern Slovenia, Prleška tünka originated from the region of Prlekija, where it's been produced for centuries. Tünka is made of premium pork cuts, cured with salt and seasoned with pepper, garlic, bay leaf and Persian cumin. The meat is then cooked, smoked, and finally preserved in lard. The name comes from this traditional method of preserving: the meat cuts are plunged into so-called 'tünkas', wooden tubs filled with minced lard, where they mature for a period of at least 30 days. This way tünka retains its natural juices. It is most commonly served with slices of rye bread smeared with lard, and garnished with peppers, pickles and onion rings.Expand

Pohorska omleta or Pohorje omelet is the most famous dessert of the Slovenian region called Pohorje. It was invented in the Poštarski Dom mountain hut in the middle of the 20th century. The dessert is made with eggs, sugar, vanilla sugar, salt, flour, rum, cranberry jam, whipped cream, and mint liqueur. In order to prepare it, egg whites, egg yolks, salt, sugar, rum, and flour are made into an omelet which is then baked in the oven. After it has been baked, the omelet is spread with cranberry jam, decorated with whipped cream, and sprinkled with mint liqueur. This is a dessert the guests need to wait for, because it is always served warm and freshly prepared.Expand

Štrukljeva juha or Štajerska dumpling soup is a popular fasting dish from the Maribor region. In order to prepare it, štruklji dumplings (made from strudel dough and filled with cottage cheese) are cut into smaller pieces and cooked in salted boiling water. During the process, the cottage cheese from these dumplings thickens the soup so it becomes more filling. Before serving, štrukljeva juha is commonly sprinkled with chopped chives or parsley. It is recommended to pair the soup with neutral, light white wines such as Pinot Gris or Chardonnay, possibly semi-dry.Expand

Sireki is a traditional snack or appetizer originating from the Slovenske Gorice area. It’s made with a combination of cottage cheese, salt, paprika, and cumin. The cheese is mashed with a fork, seasoned with spices, then shaped into small cones that are often bite-sized. The cones are dried in the sun or in a warm place in the kitchen. Sireki are typically paired with white wine and enjoyed as a snack. They can also be served with buckwheat bread with walnuts, or as a part of a cheese plate at the end of lunch or dinner. Around Christmas, sireki are sometimes served with dried fruit. If desired, they can be additionally seasoned with chili powder.Expand

Spirits of the Alps d.o.o. is a Slovenian company based in Maribor, specializing in the distribution of premium spirits. They are the official online distributor of Parson Premium Gin, a gluten-free certified gin crafted from aromatic Styrian Jurka grapes. The company offers a range of products, including gift sets and a cocktail inspiration book, aiming to provide unique and high-quality experiences for gin enthusiasts. Expand

Dveri Pax is one of Slovenia’s most historically rooted wineries, with viticultural origins dating back to 1139, when Benedictine monks from the Admont monastery established organized wine production in the region. Located in the Štajerska (Podravje) wine region near Maribor, the estate today combines monastic heritage with a modern, quality-focused approach to winemaking. The vineyards span carefully selected hillside sites, where a continental climate influenced by Alpine and Pannonian conditions supports slow ripening and preserves natural acidity. Production is primarily focused on white varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Šipon (Furmint), which form the core of the winery’s identity. The wines are typically defined by precision, freshness, and a clear aromatic profile, reflecting both site and restrained cellar work. After a period of interruption in the 20th century, the estate was revitalized under the ownership of the Admont monastery, with significant investment in vineyard renewal and cellar technology. Dveri Pax operates as a true estate winery, maintaining control over the entire production process from vineyard to bottle. The style emphasizes balance, varietal clarity, and food compatibility rather than overt extraction or manipulation. Today, it stands as one of the leading producers contributing to the international recognition of Slovenian wine.Expand

Oljarna Kocbek is a family-owned oil mill with a tradition dating back to 1929, located in the Prlekija region of Slovenia. It was founded by Alojz Kocbek, and today, his grandson Gorazd Kocbek continues the family tradition of producing high-quality oils. The mill is renowned for its production of Štajerska-Prekmurje Pumpkin Seed Oil, made using traditional methods from carefully selected pumpkin seeds grown in local fields. The production process includes hand-sorting and polishing the seeds, stone milling, roasting at temperatures between 100 and 110°C, and finally, pressing the seeds to extract an oil rich in flavor and aroma. In addition to pumpkin seed oil, Oljarna Kocbek offers other gourmet products, such as chocolate infused with pumpkin seed oil and seeds, as well as the Luxury Black Bottle product line, which combines tradition with modern design.Expand

Gea Oil Factory (Tovarna olja Gea d.o.o.) is the leading oil producer and the only edible vegetable oil refinery in Slovenia, headquartered in Slovenska Bistrica. Founded in 1904, the company boasts a rich tradition in producing high-quality oils. Gea manufactures and markets products under well-known and successful brands such as Gea, Zvezda, Cekin, and Sončni cvet. Their main products include vegetable oils, mayonnaise, salad dressings, sauces, fried onions, and animal feed components. In the domestic market, the company holds a majority market share and is expanding its presence across European markets. Quality and food safety are of utmost importance to Gea. The company holds HALAL and KOSHER certifications, ensuring compliance with international food quality and safety standards. Beyond production, Gea is committed to social responsibility and sustainable development. The company actively collaborates with the local community and invests in environmental projects to minimize its ecological footprint.Expand

Oljarna Jeruzalem SAT is a renowned oil mill located in Središče ob Dravi, Slovenia. The company specializes in producing high-quality oils, particularly Štajerska-Prekmurje Pumpkin Seed Oil, which is made using traditional methods from carefully selected local pumpkin seeds. In addition to pumpkin seed oil, their product range includes cold-pressed oils, blended oils, roasted and ground pumpkin seeds, as well as gourmet specialties such as pumpkin seed spread and their unique chocolate spread with pumpkin seeds, "Bučotela". They also offer gift packages and tasting experiences for visitors, allowing them to explore the rich flavors of their premium products.Expand

Oljarna Fram is the oldest oil mill in Slovenia, with a tradition dating back to 1750. Located in the town of Fram, this oil mill is renowned for producing high-quality pumpkin seed oil, made from carefully selected pumpkin seeds sourced from local fields. Their pumpkin seed oil is highly valued for its rich flavor and aroma, produced using traditional methods that have been passed down through generations. In addition to production, Oljarna Fram offers visitors the opportunity to tour the historic mill and enjoy tastings of their premium pumpkin seed oil.Expand