August 6, 2026
Heading to Košice? We know where the food won't let you down. Gault&Millau Slovakia has mapped out seven top spots for every occasion - places to eat well on your travels through eastern Slovakia.
SEVEN Restaurant Café
16.5 | 20 - For special occasions
What our inspectors say:
SEVEN, set in Villa Sandy in the city park, ranks among the very top of Košice dining. Housed in a national cultural monument, the building's elegance carries into every detail — from the synchronised, effortlessly professional service to the technically precise cooking of head chef Jozef Hromják, captain of the National Culinary Team. Local sourcing here is a value, not a marketing line: opening canapés with a range of butters, Vršatec cheese, or a reworking of the traditional mačanka dip elevated into an elegant course all showed our inspectors a deep respect for both ingredient and region. The wine list is one of the restaurant's greatest strengths, the pairings thoughtful and firmly rooted in Slovak wines.
Must order: the tasting menu
Ohnisko Fire Dining & Brew Bar
14.5 | 20 - For memorable dinners with friends
What our inspectors say:
Ohnisko rests on three pillars — fire, smoke and fermentation — and on every visit you feel these are more than words. An industrial interior with warm touches, staff whose energy pulls you in from the first moment, and a kitchen that reaches for ingredients from our culinary heritage: river crayfish, local meats, slow-cooked specialities. Their “fire dining” credo isn't just a nod to the element but to the passion behind every dish. Not showy, but self-assured. Not snobbish, but precise. A place where the cooking is done with reverence, and you leave feeling you've experienced something real.
Must order: barbecue ribs — meat falling off the bone, excellent sides.
Kaviareň Slávia
14 | 20 - For a Sunday lunch or a cultural outing
What our inspectors say:
The legendary Café Slávia stands on one of the most beautiful pedestrian zones in Slovakia, and its Art Nouveau building — high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, views onto the street — is an experience in itself. At weekends, live piano music completes the faintly nostalgic mood. Head chef František Sedlák works with traditional Slovak flavours in a modern register and with respect for where the ingredients come from. His veal schnitzel — prepared so well it comfortably rivals the Viennese original in flavour — is proof that simplicity can be exceptional.
Must order: breaded veal schnitzel with potato salad and horseradish crème fraîche.
Bakoš bistro
13 | 20 - For lovers of modern bistros
What our inspectors say:
Just a few steps from the centre of Košice, in a renovated factory full of energy and art, cooks head chef Matej Bakoš — one of the most striking talents in Slovak gastronomy. The menu changes constantly with the season and with inspiration, and the ingredients come from local producers. Our inspectors enjoyed a well-judged Croque Madame with pastrami and an elegant dill sauce with beef and a homemade steamed dumpling. The house lemonades — cucumber and blueberry — are a treat in their own right. Bistro Bakoš proves that boldness in the kitchen pays off.
Must order: whatever they've got that day :)
La Hacienda
13 | 20 - For an evening full of atmosphere and Latin American energy
What our inspectors say:
In a narrow courtyard in the historic centre of Košice hides a space that breathes Mexico. Sombreros, skulls, Day of the Dead motifs, live music, lighting - La Hacienda is an immersive setting that works from the first step. The drinks list, with around thirty kinds of tequila, is reason enough to visit on its own. The menu offers traditional Mexican specialities and their European fusions: burritos, enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas, and excellent steaks too. The guacamole croquetas — crisp balls of sautéed avocado with a tangy lime sauce — are an example of what La Hacienda does best: authentic, but original.
Must order: guacamole croquetas
Reštaurácia Villa Regia
13 | 20 - For guests you want to show Košice to
What our inspectors say:
Right by St Elisabeth's Cathedral stands Villa Regia — a townhouse with a stylish rustic interior and a menu built on traditional eastern Slovak cooking in a modern rendering. Head chef Ladislav Miľo works with fresh, quality ingredients and always delights guests with something authentic. Duck breast with braised red cabbage and lokše (potato flatbread) with poultry pâté and a walnut praline is an example of how a traditional dish can move forward without losing its identity. Villa Regia is an ideal address for celebratory lunches and for visitors who want to experience the region at its best - pairing a good lunch with a stroll through the historic centre.
Must order: the duck specialities
EMOTI Sharefood Tavern
13 | 20 - For groups and lovers of shared plates
What our inspectors say:
EMOTI is the youngest member of the Villa Sandy City Park family, and from first glance it's clear every detail was considered: a modern building with a water wall, an open kitchen, a central bar, natural materials — wood, glass, greenery. The atmosphere is lively but not loud. Head chef Jozef Hromják, familiar from the fine-dining restaurant SEVEN in the same resort, works here in an entirely different register: the menu is built on the concept of sharing, interpreting traditional Slovak flavours in a modern, playful way. Pork knuckle in aspic, a modern take on stuffed cabbage rolls with lamb and yoghurt, a kefir termix with pear — dishes that carry you back to childhood, but with a new expression and the pleasure of eating together.
Must order: the menu changes — combine your favourite classics and let the interpretation surprise you
