On Dining
When in Slovakia, try some of the following specialities: bryndzove halusky (potato dumplings with melted sheep cheese sauce), ostiepok and parenica (traditional smoked and un-smoked Slovak cheeses, hus s loksami (goose meat and liver with potato pancakes). Then sample the pastries, tortes, ice cream and other desserts such as palacinky (crepes filled with plum jam) available at cafes, ice cream parlors and cukraren (sweet shops).
Dining in the capital often means enjoying an Old Town wine cellar setting, even when the featured cuisine might be Austrian, Hungarian, Italian, French and Kosher cuisines.
On Drinking
As in the Czech Republic, national Slovakian wines can be very good. The Small Carpathian mountain region running north from Bratislava produces white wines such as Rhine Riesling, Chardonnay, Rulander and the famed Tramin cerveny. Sparkling wines are also on the local list, and half of the famous Tokaj wine region (shared with Hungary) lies in southern Slovakia. Tokaj wines are predominantly sweet white wines, similar to its Hungarian counterpart Tokay.
Local beverages also include the sparkling non-alcoholic drink Vinea, made from white of red grapes; excellent pilsner-style beers; kofola, the equivalent of root beer served on tap.
Restaurant Suggestions
Bratislava: Le Monde: stylish restaurant, right in the heart of Bratislava's historical pedestrian zone.
Bratislava: Flowers: restaurant in the atrium of the Erd'dy palace with the charming name. Superb atmosphere created also by Andy Warhol's pieces of art.
Beladice: Taruf: Occupying a manor house close to Nitra, this first class restaurant offers an untraditional selection of fine food and quality wines.
Spisska Nova Ves: Nostalgie: This lovely restaurant with terrace offers excellent food -salads, delicious soups, steaks, cheese gnocci - at very reasonable prices.
Presov: Carpe Diem: Each dish on the menu contains a “slice of local history or legend.” For seating in greatest comfort and privacy, reserve ahead for the “Thirteen Chamber.”