October 14, 2026
Fancy a short trip to a beautiful place combined with a gourmet experience?
We’ve prepared tips for you that are just a short drive away from Slovakia's capital, Bratislave. But of course, these lovely places are worth visiting no matter where you’re coming from.
Be it picturesque little towns with a wine-growing tradition, the popular Lake Neusiedl or the magnificent Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape; you’ll be warmly welcomed by restaurants that have placed in the Gault&Millau guide.
Svätý Jur
A charming wine-growing town with a long history, surrounded by vineyards and the Little Carpathians. A perfect choice for an afternoon trip, a stroll through picturesque streets and a glass of local wine. From Bratislava, it’s about a 20-minute drive.
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There are only a few romantic places for a dinner for two in Slovakia that also satisfy the most demanding gourmets. Jiří Zajíček and his team serve a 10-course culinary performance here, with an emphasis on local produce in its purest form. Excellent wine pairing goes without saying.
Modra
A town of ceramics and wine, steeped in history. The surroundings offer great hiking trails, wine-maker’s courtyards, chapels and charming narrow streets. It’s definitely worth visiting the Harmónia recreation area and Zochova chata, where you can enjoy hiking, cycling or mushroom picking. The local gastronomy naturally draws from wine-growing culture and local ingredients, making Modra a place where you can easily spend a whole day full of flavors, experiences and authentic atmosphere. From Bratislava, the drive takes about 30 minutes.
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A simple but ambitious concept based on local gastronomy. The menu is truly “wild”, divided into small, large and sweet courses for easy orientation. Dishes are made from artisan products, as well as from the restaurant’s own garden and the surrounding meadows. House specialties include fluffy long-fermented bread, tasty cheeses and straightforward, honest dishes.
A restaurant set in a beautifully renovated historic mill. It combines the atmosphere of a traditional rural setting with modern cuisine. The menu features refined yet simple dishes with an emphasis on produce, flavor and presentation.
Trnava
Known as “Little Rome”, lined with Baroque churches, with a cozy historic center and a lively atmosphere. A trip here is a combination of history, coffee culture, wine and excellent gastronomy. Romantic alleys invite slow walks – along the way you can stop to see historic university buildings or climb the city tower for a panoramic view. Well-known cafés such as Thalmeiner, Synagóga or Monogram Espresso Bar are also worth a visit. From Bratislava, it’s about a 45-minute drive.
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In the very heart of Trnava, right next to Trojičné Square, lies the beautifully designed Nádvorie complex – and within it, Akademia. This is a modern beer hall with quality food, a rarity in Slovakia. The kitchen focuses on excellent produce and precise plating of every dish, and chef Martin Miklošík is also well known for his desserts.
Lake Neusiedl
Just across the border lies one of Austria’s greatest natural treasures. It’s an ideal spot for cycling, sailing or leisurely walks combined with discovering wine-growing villages and excellent restaurants. From Bratislava, the drive takes about 50 minutes.
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The cuisine at Gut Purbach blends French cookery, Burgenland tradition and Max Stiegl’s talent for putting his personal stamp on classic dishes. Famous for its offal, prepared with passion and skill, Gut Purbach also excels in Burgenland classics such as Grammelknödel (greaves dumplings) with tomatoes and ginger or Halászlé, the fisherman’s soup.
One of Austria’s most iconic restaurants, awarded 4 toques and 18.5 points in Gault&Millau guide, located just an hour from Bratislava. Its creative, avant-garde menu fuses art, gastronomy and sustainability. A unique experience with magical atmosphere in every season.
Břeclav
This town lies on the edge of the enchanting Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Břeclav invites visitors to admire ornate Liechtenstein monuments, an ultra-modern church or a fairy-tale synagogue. From Bratislava, you’ll get here in just under an hour, rewarded with a mix of history, wine and excellent dining.
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A fine-dining gem in the Lednice–Valtice area. Chef Otto Vašák presents a six-course tasting menu with wine or non-alcoholic pairings, placing absolute emphasis on local produce and in-house preparations. Essens is without a doubt one of Moravia’s brightest gastronomic stars.
A charming restaurant set in the historic Hraniční zámeček in Hlohovec near Břeclav. Chateau Petit offers a varied palette of carefully prepared dishes, with the menu changing according to the availability of fresh local ingredients. The restaurant prides itself on close cooperation with local growers, breeders and farmers – freshness and craftsmanship are the foundation of every dish.
