Čertovská Koliba is popular with tourists as well as locals, thanks in part to its strategic location along the main road connecting the western and eastern parts of the country. As expected from Koliba, the offer is traditional, ranging from bryndzové halušky and pirohy to classic meat dishes with dumplings, as well as fruit-filled dumplings or šúľance. The tripe soup was well balanced in flavour, though it would have benefitted from a more generous amount of tripe and a touch more salt. Familiar with their halušky, we opted to assess the Chef’s skills with the trio of meats served with potato pancakes. What arrived was a large and generous portion of something indistinct, covered in a sauce with pieces of coloured capsicum. The flavours were fine, though the meat itself would have benefited from more careful preparation. The dessert, however, was a clear highlight. The dough of the potato dumplings filled with plum jam was soft and melting on the tongue, and the portion of granko and melted butter was genuinely generous. If you find yourself driving past Zvolen and you are in the mood for a simple meal, this place is worth stopping at.
