November is once again dedicated to local gastronomy in Novo Mesto and the surrounding area. From 1 to 30 November 2026, the second edition of Taste Novo Mesto is taking place, with this year’s focus on one of the Dolenjska region’s best-known traditional dishes – štruklji. Participating restaurants and eateries are presenting them in a variety of ways, from traditional recipes to contemporary culinary interpretations.
Taste Novo Mesto brings together restaurants and eateries, local producers, institutions and other partners, who jointly contribute to the destination’s gastronomic story. The initiative is not simply about promoting individual dishes or establishments, but above all about fostering connections within the local community, encouraging the use and promotion of local cuisine, and strengthening Novo Mesto’s profile as a gastronomic destination. This year’s edition continues in the same spirit: throughout November, visitors can discover a variety of štruklji and, through them, explore the stories and offerings of the participating establishments.
Where can you try štruklji?
This year’s edition features 11 participating establishments, each presenting its own culinary take on štruklji.
Bistro Situla presents Štruklji from Around the World, combining Slovenian dough with flavours from different culinary cultures. Visitors can choose from Italian, Mexican and Asian-inspired versions.
As part of the Open Wine Cellars initiative on Trška gora, štruklji are available at Vinotoč Teropšič, Zidanica Verček, Vinska klet Colnar and Okrepčevalnica pri Darinki. A special highlight at Zidanica Verček is its Trška gora heart-shaped brown štruklji, alongside traditional Dolenjska štruklji that preserve the area’s distinctive culinary heritage.
Gostišče na trgu serves cottage cheese štruklji as part of its daily lunch menu.
Dobrote Dolenjske has prepared Dolenjska štruklji in both savoury and sweet versions. These include their own take on traditional Dolenjska štruklji, served with a creamy porcini mushroom sauce, and sweet tarragon štruklji with strawberry sauce and crispy strawberries.
Gostilnica Barba offers homemade cottage cheese štrukelj, which is boiled and then pan-fried, served with a creamy emulsion, tarragon and pear.
From 9 to 15 November, Hiša Fink will host a special Martinmas culinary experience entitled A Martinmas Feast of Štruklji. The entire menu is dedicated to štruklji and includes egg štruklji with freshwater crayfish, delicate chanterelle štruklji with truffles, goose and beef fillet, red cabbage and pumpkin štruklji, and sweet bean štruklji with chestnuts and persimmon.
Grad Otočec Restaurant presents cheese štrukelj with veal cheeks, baby carrots, parsley oil and a rich dark sauce.
Gostilna Vovko delights guests with its signature sweet tarragon štruklji, served with vanilla cream and fruit compote.
The varied selection offers an opportunity to discover štruklji in many different forms – from dishes that preserve traditional flavours to contemporary creations by local chefs.
Events celebrating štruklji
The November programme is complemented by culinary events that bring together local traditions, characteristic Dolenjska dishes and convivial gatherings. On Monday, 9 November, Zidanica Verček will host a cookery workshop on preparing brown and traditional Dolenjska štruklji, where participants will discover the secrets behind these traditional dishes.
On Friday, 13 November, Grad Grm will host Martinmas in Novo Mesto, bringing together Dolenjska wines, local cuisine, štruklji and good company.
On Saturday, 21 November, visitors to the atrium at Dobrote Dolenjske will have the opportunity to discover and taste a local variety of štruklji at the Day of Čatež Štruklji.
The November programme will conclude with a professional conference dedicated to štruklji, offering an opportunity to explore the future of Dolenjska gastronomy. The conference will take place on 27 November at Narodni dom.
Flavours that tell the story of Dolenjska
Taste Novo Mesto was created with the aim of bringing together the local gastronomic scene and telling the story of Dolenjska through its flavours. The first edition demonstrated how a shared gastronomic theme can connect different providers and create experiences that remain part of the destination’s offer beyond the end of the initiative. This year, the aim is to build on these connections and bring traditional local flavours closer to both residents and visitors.
You are warmly invited to explore the flavours of Novo Mesto this November and discover just how varied štruklji can be!