Kavarna Zvezda, Hotel Slon (cafe and lounge bar), Ljubljana

Kavarna Zvezda, part of Hotel Slon, is a long-established café and lounge bar combining a traditional European café atmosphere with a contemporary interior. The name Slon (“elephant”) recalls Archduke Maximilian II’s 1552 visit with his elephant, Suleiman. The present hotel building was completed in 1937 to designs by Slovenian modernist architect Stanko Rohrmann.

The café serves freshly brewed coffee, tea, handmade cakes, pastries, sandwiches, salads, and seasonal desserts. Traditional Slovenian sweets include Prekmurska gibanica, a layered cake made with poppy seeds, walnuts, apples, and curd cheese. In warmer months, visitors can enjoy artisan ice cream and vegan sorbets on the terrace.

In the evening, the space becomes a quieter lounge bar serving wines, cocktails, and other drinks. Its central position makes it a convenient stop between nearby cultural attractions, shops, and public squares. Visitors can come for breakfast, a coffee break, a traditional dessert, or an evening drink in surroundings connected with the hotel’s long history.