Cacao

Cacao is a riverside café at Petkovškovo nabrežje 3 on the Ljubljanica quay, close to Triple Bridge in the centre of Ljubljana. It is best known for ice cream and desserts, and its terrace over the river makes it one of the most popular places in the city to sit with a sweet treat. The menu centres on gelato in a range of flavours, cakes and pastries, and hot chocolate, which is a natural fit for a café named after the cacao bean. Signature items are the gelato, often ordered in cups or cones to eat by the river, the display of cakes, and the hot chocolate on cooler days. This is not a restaurant in the strict sense, so there is no tasting menu, wine programme or chef lineage to speak of; the appeal is the location and the straightforward dessert offer. The atmosphere is bustling, sociable and noisy in summer, when the quay fills with strollers, and calmer in the morning and in the off season. There is no dress code, and the clientele includes families, couples and tourists. Prices are low to moderate, with gelato and cakes at about €3-7 (~$3.30-7.70). Drinks include coffee, tea, soft drinks and some alcoholic options. The café is typically open daily from about 09:00 until 23:00, which makes it useful both for a morning coffee and a late dessert, although hours should be checked. Reservations are rarely needed, but groups wanting a riverside terrace table at busy summer evening times may want to ask the venue about arrangements. The position beside Triple Bridge, Prešeren Square and the Central Market means it can easily be combined with a stroll along the embankments designed by architect Jože Plečnik.