What Food To Try in Maribor and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Maribor for 2024.
National currency: Euro, symbol — € (international currency code EUR).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Maribor cafes and restaurants
$9.9
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $7.67
$38.3
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $29.57
$7.1
Combo Meal
Starting from $6.57
What to Try in Maribor
Must-try Dishes
Štruklji - Rolled Dough Dish - A savory or sweet rolled dough filled with various ingredients like cheese or poppy seeds, usually boiled or baked. Locals enjoy it at family gatherings or traditional celebrations, often served with sour cream.Burek - Savory Pastry - A flaky pastry filled with spiced minced meat and onions, typically baked until golden brown. It's a popular street food option, best enjoyed fresh from a local bakery while on the go.
Obleka - Stewed Cabbage and Potatoes - A hearty dish made of tender cabbage and potatoes, often flavored with smoked meats for depth. Locals eat this for lunch, especially in colder months, as it warms up the body and soul.
Pohani Krapec - Breaded and Fried Fish - Deep-fried fish, often trout, coated in breadcrumbs and served with a side of tartar sauce. You’ll find this at casual eateries along the river, and it’s a simple yet satisfying dinner.
Ajdovi žganci - Buckwheat Spoonbread - A thick porridge made of buckwheat flour, usually served with meat or gravy. It's a common dish during festivals, inspiring locals to gather and enjoy hearty meals together.
Čompe - Baked Potatoes with Cabbage - Baked potatoes served topped with sautéed cabbage and bread crumbs, perfect for a filling and vegan meal. This dish is often enjoyed during harvest festivals, celebrating local produce.
Jajčka na oko - Sunny-Side-Up Eggs - Eggs fried sunny-side-up and usually served on crusty bread with a sprinkle of salt. This local breakfast classic is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace on weekends, often accompanied by fresh veggies from the market.
By the way, don't be surprised if you find locals eating a lot of potatoes—it's truly a staple here—but try to avoid ordering them in every dish; locals appreciate variety!
Desserts & Drinks
Civet Coffee - Caffè di Caffè (local specialty coffee) - Unique coffee made from beans that have passed through the digestive system of civets, providing a smooth, rich flavor. Locals often sip this in cozy cafes during cold winter afternoons, bonding over its unique taste and the story behind it.Lavender Lemonade - Limonada z Lavandom (refreshing cold drink) - A delightful mix of fresh lemon juice and lavender syrup, served chilled with ice. Perfect for summer festivals, it's often enjoyed while strolling at the Drava River banks alongside friends.
Maribor Wine - Mariborsko Vino (locally produced wine) - This exquisite wine, particularly the white varieties like Sauvignon Blanc, is crafted from grapes grown in the nearby vineyards. It’s commonly enjoyed at family gatherings or during celebrations, especially during grape harvest season; locals love to toast with it, making it quite special.
Potica - Potica (traditional nut roll pastry) - A rolled pastry filled with a rich blend of walnuts, honey, and spices, baked until golden. Traditionally served at family gatherings or festive occasions, it pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee, as locals might enjoy it on Sundays after meals.
Štruklji - Štruklji (cheese or sweet dumplings) - Dumplings filled with various sweet or savory mixtures, often served with a dollop of cream on top. Commonly enjoyed during special occasions or festivals, they remind locals of home-cooked meals, evoking warm childhood memories with every bite.
Food and Groceries in Maribor
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $1.11 |
| Bananas | $1.84 |
| Oranges | $1.84 |
| Potatoes | $1.36 |
| Apples | $1.75 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $0.73 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $1.44 |
| Imported Beer | $1.88 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $5.48 |
| Milk 1L | $1.24 |
Various Groceries
| Meat (Beef or Pork) | $12.6 |
| Chicken | $8.83 |
| Cigarettes | $4.93 |
| Rice | $1.53 |
| Local Cheese | $9.58 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
On a typical evening in Maribor's Lent district, it’s common to see families and friends gathering along the Drava River around 7 PM, enjoying al fresco dining as the sun sets. This prime people-watching time has the added charm of street musicians adding life to the atmosphere. As soon as the clock strikes 8 PM, the area bustles with life, and it’s not unusual to notice that many restaurants fill up quickly, especially on weekends.
Meal times here are typically around noon for lunch, with locals dining between 12 PM and 2 PM, while dinner usually rolls around between 7 PM and 9 PM. You’ll find that many locals prefer restaurants that provide hearty meals at reasonable prices. For a filling lunch at a bistro, expect to pay around €10-€15, while a more upscale dinner can cost between €20-€35 per person. In some of the high-end places, like those on the hill overlooking the city, dinner can easily exceed €50, especially if you opt for wine pairing.
Payment customs in Maribor are generally straightforward. Cash is still preferred in a good number of establishments, with waiters being quite keen on immediate transactions. Credit cards are commonly accepted, but not all places take them, especially at smaller cafes or street vendors where you might pay €3 for a local pastry or sandwich. Always carry some cash (euros, of course) to be safe—I've seen tourists caught out when a vendor only accepted cash!
Tipping norms lean toward 10% for good service. I’ve noticed that while locals won’t generally leave coins as a tip, rounding up to the nearest euro is common. A helpful local dining habit to be aware of is that sharing is quite popular; it's typical to order a few dishes and share them among the table rather than for each person to have a separate meal. This not only creates a more communal dining experience but can also save your wallet.
One common tourist mistake is underestimating the dinner rush—by 8 PM, many restaurants fill up rapidly, so engaging in a last-minute stroll could mean waiting quite a while for a table. To avoid disappointment, it’s wise to make a reservation, especially at popular spots, which can usually be done easily online or by phone.
As for seasonal variations, prices tend to increase slightly during the summer months when tourism peaks, particularly in areas like Lent or near the main square, compared to other parts of the city. Therefore, adjusting your meal times and being mindful of the dining districts can significantly enhance your culinary experience in Maribor.
Meal times here are typically around noon for lunch, with locals dining between 12 PM and 2 PM, while dinner usually rolls around between 7 PM and 9 PM. You’ll find that many locals prefer restaurants that provide hearty meals at reasonable prices. For a filling lunch at a bistro, expect to pay around €10-€15, while a more upscale dinner can cost between €20-€35 per person. In some of the high-end places, like those on the hill overlooking the city, dinner can easily exceed €50, especially if you opt for wine pairing.
Payment customs in Maribor are generally straightforward. Cash is still preferred in a good number of establishments, with waiters being quite keen on immediate transactions. Credit cards are commonly accepted, but not all places take them, especially at smaller cafes or street vendors where you might pay €3 for a local pastry or sandwich. Always carry some cash (euros, of course) to be safe—I've seen tourists caught out when a vendor only accepted cash!
Tipping norms lean toward 10% for good service. I’ve noticed that while locals won’t generally leave coins as a tip, rounding up to the nearest euro is common. A helpful local dining habit to be aware of is that sharing is quite popular; it's typical to order a few dishes and share them among the table rather than for each person to have a separate meal. This not only creates a more communal dining experience but can also save your wallet.
One common tourist mistake is underestimating the dinner rush—by 8 PM, many restaurants fill up rapidly, so engaging in a last-minute stroll could mean waiting quite a while for a table. To avoid disappointment, it’s wise to make a reservation, especially at popular spots, which can usually be done easily online or by phone.
As for seasonal variations, prices tend to increase slightly during the summer months when tourism peaks, particularly in areas like Lent or near the main square, compared to other parts of the city. Therefore, adjusting your meal times and being mindful of the dining districts can significantly enhance your culinary experience in Maribor.