Ed. note: The word koliba originally referred to a shepherds’ cottage. Over time, it has also come to denote a traditional-style restaurant serving typical Slovak dishes in a rustic setting.
Eating halušky with a view of the mountains and the sound of donkeys braying in the background is a uniquely Slovak experience. If you are skipping a holiday abroad this year and travelling around Slovakia instead, stopping at a traditional koliba is well worth your time.
In this overview, we bring you a selection of Slovak restaurants with strong customer reviews on Google. Some of them are also listed in the prestigious gastronomic guide Gault Millau.
For comparison, the price of a classic Slovak dish – halušky – is used as a benchmark. The cheapest can be found for just €6.80.
Koliba na Vršku
Rating: 4.7/5
Price of halušky: €11.50
Hikers heading into the Veľká Fatra mountains may come across Koliba na Vršku, a modern take on the traditional shepherds’ hut. Located by the road above Bytča, near the Hričovský Canal, it boasts a spacious terrace with views of the town below and the surrounding mountains.
In summer, the terrace is often busy, especially at weekends, though there is usually still room thanks to its size. The main drawback may be the traffic noise from the road.
Inside, the glass-fronted dining room evokes Scandinavian mountain lodges, with high beams and large windows that create a sense of connection with nature.
The restaurant is listed in Gault Millau. Customers particularly enjoy the halušky, including a vegan version without bacon, as well as pork cheeks with mushroom tarhonya.
A weekday lunch menu is available for €10.90. While many Slovak classics are offered, prices are on the higher side.
Koliba Štiavnická Anča
Rating: 4.7/5
Price of halušky: €8.90
Near the historic town of Banská Štiavnica – a favourite romantic destination – Koliba Štiavnická Anča offers a traditional wooden setting in the Štiavnické Vrchy hills.
Inside, a large tiled stove immediately draws the eye and gives the restaurant a cosy feel, particularly in winter. In summer, guests can sit outside on the terrace with its rustic wooden benches.
Although located by a road, the large car park acts as a buffer, and the surroundings feel peaceful. Popular dishes include homemade fried cheese and beef or venison goulash. A garden barbecue is held every Saturday. Traditional dishes such as halušky and šúľance are always available.
Koliba Kamzík – Starý Smokovec
Rating: 4.7/5
Price of halušky: €12.90
Koliba Kamzík, located at the start of several hiking trails in Starý Smokovec, is a popular stop for weary hikers. On Friday and Saturday evenings, live folk music adds to the atmosphere, especially for visiting tourists.
The traditional mountain-hut interior features white benches, rustic wood, and decorative Modra ceramics on the walls. The restaurant also offers views of the High Tatras peaks.
Families make up much of the clientele thanks to the children’s menu. Halušky and hearty cabbage soup are the most popular dishes, though prices reflect the location: halušky cost €12.90, while cabbage soup costs €5.90.
Salaš Zbojská
Rating: 4.6/5
Price of halušky: €6.80
Perhaps the most scenic of all, Salaš Zbojská sits at the edge of the Muránska Planina plateau. An observation tower nearby offers sweeping views of the national park, while visitors can also explore the nature trail of the highwayman Tomáš Surovec or spot ground squirrels in the meadows.
The restaurant specialises in local lamb and mutton goulash, but pierogi filled with cabbage or bacon are also highly recommended. Classic halušky here are the cheapest on the list.
Koliba u Sv. Krištofa
Rating: 4.5/5
Price of halušky: €8.50
Visible from the road as you leave Banská Bystrica, Koliba u Sv. Krištofa recreates the feel of a rustic Slovak cottage. Inside, guests are greeted by a cosy atmosphere, with staff dressed in period costumes. Folk music is performed live on Friday evenings.
Prices are more moderate than in many other kolibas: halušky cost €8.50, with the vegan version priced at €9.50. Customers especially enjoy the dumplings and rich soups.
Zbojnícka Koliba
Rating: 4.4/5
Price of halušky: €9
Set in the village of Oravská Jasenica, northern Slovakia, Zbojnícka Koliba is part of a large leisure complex that includes a lake, wellness facilities, and even a mini-zoo with donkeys. At its centre lies a restaurant styled as a traditional wooden hut.
The interior is unashamedly rustic: wooden benches, wooden walls, and wooden chairs, with valaškas (traditional shepherds’ axes) displayed on the walls.
Halušky are a favourite, along with strapačky (dumplings with cabbage) and tripe perkelt. Guests can also enjoy local cheeses and žinčica, a traditional drink made from sheep’s whey.
©Closer
