Druga Violina

Druga Violina, meaning Second Violin, is a social-enterprise restaurant at Stari trg 21 in Ljubljana's Old Town, in the central Slovenia region. Its defining feature is its mission: it employs adults with special needs, giving them work in the kitchen and dining room, and the restaurant is a well-known example of inclusive hospitality in the Slovenian capital. The location on Stari trg, a short walk from the Ljubljanica river and the Triple Bridge, puts it in one of the most visited parts of the city while keeping a neighbourhood feel.

The cooking is homestyle Slovenian, built around the kind of dishes served in family kitchens across the country, with seasonal daily specials alongside a standing menu. Visitors can expect soups, meat and vegetable mains, traditional sides and desserts in the style of central Slovenia, at prices that sit in the moderate bracket for the Old Town. Because the menu leans on daily specials, the best dishes depend on the day, and no single plate has become the restaurant's emblem.

The dining room is friendly and informal, with an unhurried, warm atmosphere. There is no dress code, and noise levels are usually modest outside peak lunch hours. Service is part of the social purpose, so the pace can be gentler than in a purely commercial restaurant, which many guests regard as part of the charm. The place opens from 8AM, so breakfast and coffee are also possible, and it closes on Mondays.

The drinks list covers coffee, soft drinks, local beer and Slovenian wines by the glass or bottle; it is not a wine-led restaurant. Reservations are generally not essential, and walk-ins are usually possible, although calling on +386 82 05 25 06 is sensible for groups or for busy summer evenings and weekends. A booking a day or two ahead is normally enough. The restaurant suits travellers who want a good-value, honest meal near the river while supporting a social cause.