The Michelin Guide today unveiled Slovenia’s best restaurants for 2026. The Restaurant at Hotel Plesnik has once again confirmed its quality by being included in the Michelin Selected category, which highlights restaurants offering outstanding culinary experiences.
Following last year’s MICHELIN Green Star, the Restaurant at Hotel Plesnik remains part of Michelin’s sustainability story. Michelin has now featured its culinary and sustainability philosophy on the new international Mindful Voices platform, which showcases exemplary examples of responsible gastronomy from around the world.
A New Michelin Approach to Sustainability
This year’s Michelin Guide introduces a significant change in its approach to sustainability: the MICHELIN Green Star distinction, previously awarded for sustainable practices in gastronomy, has been discontinued. In its place, Michelin has launched Mindful Voices, a new editorial platform dedicated to sharing inspiring sustainability stories from the worlds of gastronomy, hospitality, and wine.
Among the stories featured on the platform is the sustainability journey of the Restaurant at Hotel Plesnik, which was awarded a MICHELIN Green Star last year.
“We are proud that Michelin has once again recognised our responsible approach to the environment, the local community, and the culinary heritage of the Logar Valley. This is an approach that all of our employees help build every day, together with our guests,” said Urška Kolar, Director of Hotel Plesnik, emphasising that sustainability should never be viewed as a short-term trend but rather as a long-term commitment. “At Hotel Plesnik, we will continue to pursue and strengthen this path because we believe sustainability is the only true direction for modern tourism – tourism that cares for nature, local communities, and future generations.”
From Green Star to Mindful Voices
Last year’s MICHELIN Green Star was an important recognition of the restaurant’s sustainable philosophy, shaped by chefs Tom Čopar and Janez Bratovž. Their cuisine is rooted in seasonal ingredients, close collaboration with local producers, and deep respect for the natural environment and traditions of the Upper Savinja Valley.
This year’s inclusion of the Restaurant at Hotel Plesnik on Michelin’s Mindful Voices platform further strengthens its position among the leading representatives of contemporary sustainable gastronomy worldwide. At the same time, it contributes to the visibility of Slovenia as a green, responsible, and world-class gastronomic destination.
“Being recognised once again by the Michelin Guide is a tremendous validation of the work of our entire team. I am proud that through our dishes we can showcase the richness of the Logar Valley and collaborate with local producers, who are an indispensable part of our story,” said chef Tom Čopar following the Michelin ceremony at Brdo pri Kranju. “I am proud of the entire Plesnik team and of our outstanding producers, without whom we would not be able to create cuisine of such a high standard.”
“Being included in the Michelin Guide is one of the greatest achievements a chef can experience, as it confirms that we are doing good work and moving in the right direction. At the same time, we know that we must continue striving for excellence and become even better in the future,” added chef Janez Bratovž.
Michelin inspectors assess not only the cuisine but the overall dining experience, of which service is an essential part.
“Recognition like this is rewarding for the entire team. Excellent service cannot exist without outstanding chefs, and chefs cannot succeed without great service,” said Simon Voler, Head of Service. He also expressed pride in the restaurant’s wine list, beverage selection, and signature house cocktails and drinks, which continue to delight guests.
Plesnik Also Featured in Michelin’s Behind the Dish Series
In April this year, Michelin’s production team visited the Restaurant at Hotel Plesnik to film a mini-documentary for the Behind the Dish series, which highlights selected restaurants around the world through stories of chefs, local ingredients, and sustainable practices.
The film is available on Michelin’s official platform and offers an intimate insight into chef Tom Čopar’s creative process while introducing the people behind one of Slovenia’s most exciting culinary success stories of recent years.
Photo: Siniša Kanižaj
