Restaurant Triangel is a fantastic gourmet restaurant located in the village of Gozd Martuljek, a few kilometres from the popular resort town of Kranjska Gora. It offers one of the best views of the Julian Alps, particularly the spectacular Martuljek Group. During the summer months, you can sit on the restaurant’s outdoor terrace, overlooking the mountains while enjoying fantastic food. The menu is modern while at the same time being rooted in local culinary traditions, with traditional dishes reinterpreted using local products and ingredients.
You can best read about and plan visits to the places we write about by downloading our app Slovestories app.
About the Restaurant
Restaurant and Hotel Triangel is located in the former Penzion Špik, which closed in 2000. The building then stood abandoned and dilapidated for more than 15 years, until Polona and Matjaž Tičar took over the property and renovated it into what it is today. During the renovation, they sought to preserve the building’s original alpine character, including its distinctive triangular roof. The restaurant and hotel opened their doors in July 2021.
In connection with the reopening, they also introduced a menu of reinterpreted local dishes, prepared using techniques inspired by French, Italian and Nordic cuisine. The focus is on seasonal ingredients sourced in cooperation with local growers and farmers.
The transformation has been a success, with the restaurant being listed in the Michelin Guide since 2024 as a Bib Gourmand, recognising its high-quality cooking at a good price.
The restaurant is located on the road between Mojstrana and Kranjska Gora, just where the road crosses the Sava River and enters the village of Gozd Martuljek. As you drive across the bridge, you get a magnificent view of the Julian Alps and, in particular, the Martuljek Group. The distinctive pyramidal peak of Špik stands out prominently in the landscape. The same spectacular view can be enjoyed from the restaurant’s terrace while dining.
Upper Sava Valley cuisine
The Upper Sava Valley has historically been characterised by its high altitude, short growing seasons and harsh climate. As a result, agriculture has always been challenging in this area. The region is also characterised by a zero-waste philosophy. It borders both Italy and Austria and therefore shares much of its food culture with neighbouring areas in these countries.
Here are some typical products used in the dishes.
- Buckwheat – Žganci is a porridge-like dish made from buckwheat. It goes well with dairy products, sauerkraut, turnips, potatoes and pork.
- Dairy – Grazing cows have adapted well to the alpine landscape and its meadows. As a result, dairy products such as cheese, curdled milk, milk and butter are important ingredients in the local cuisine.
- Cured meats – Pork-based charcuterie is an important part of the local diet and reflects the region’s zero-waste philosophy.
- Cabbage – White cabbage is used in various forms in local cooking, both in salads and as sauerkraut, which is also used as an ingredient in other dishes.
- Polenta – Polenta is a type of porridge made from cornmeal and is an important side dish served with meat and Žganci.
- Mountain herbs – There is a long tradition of picking alpine herbs and using them in cooking, as well as for making tea.
Much of the above can be found in one form or another on the menu at Restaurant Triangel.
Getting to Gozd Martuljek
From Ljubljana, it takes about 1 hour to drive to Gozd Martuljek. Part of the journey is along the A2 motorway towards Jesenice. You leave the motorway at Jesenice and continue on regional road 201 for about 20 kilometres.
If you are reading this in our app, you can select Show on map from the upper-right menu to get directions from your current location.
Our Dinner at Restaurant Triangel
We visited the restaurant on a regular weekday evening in mid-August, right in the middle of the tourist season. There were quite a few guests, but the restaurant was not completely full. The weather was perfect for sitting outside on the terrace and enjoying the mountain views. The mountains provided a beautiful backdrop to our dinner. As the sun was setting, a small fire was lit, adding to the atmosphere.
The service was informal but attentive and very good. We received excellent help when choosing both dishes and wines, and the recommendations paired perfectly with the food.
You can read more about Restaurant Triangel on their website. Tables can be reserved on their homepage or by phone at +386 4 588 55 00.
What we Ate
We focused on trying as many different dishes as possible, with an emphasis on local ingredients.
- Cold starter – Selection of Upper Sava Valley meats and cheeses. We shared a plate of charcuterie and cheeses between the three of us.
- Main dish – Slow-cooked and roasted veal loin with bread dumpling, celery and carrots. This was my main dish.
- Main dish – Zupan’s red trout fillet with tagliatelle, peas, carrots and cauliflower.
- Main dish – Upper Carniolan fried cauliflower with celery, black sesame seeds and hazelnuts.
- Salad – Small salad of the day with seasonal lettuce and cherry tomatoes.
- Dessert – Hlebanja’s yoghurt panna cotta with white chocolate, fruit sauce, berries and house-made ice cream.
In total, we paid around 145 EUR for the starter, three main courses, the dessert, two glasses of wine and sparkling water for three persons. In our opinion, this was not expensive considering the quality of the food and the location.
Wines
- Sanctum My Red – On the restaurant’s recommendation, I had a glass of Sanctum My Red with the cold starter. It is a blend of Syrah and Pinot Noir from the Štajerska region of Slovenia. The pairing was perfect!
- Miška Barbera – A wine from the Vipava Valley in Slovenia, made from the Barbera grape. I had a glass of this wine with my main dish, the roasted veal. Another great pairing!
Other Places in the Area
- Lake Jasna - Lake Jasna is located just after Kranjska Gora on the way up to Vršič Pass. Stop to admire the view or enjoy a coffee or lunch at one of the restaurants. You can read more about Lake Jasna in our dedicated blog post.
- Vršič Pass – Vršič Pass is Slovenia’s highest mountain pass open to road traffic. The road connects Kranjska Gora on the northern side of the Julian Alps with the Trenta and Soča valleys and the town of Bovec on the southern side. Read more in our dedicated blog post.
Where to Stay
- Triangel Boutique Hotel - Why not stay at Hotel Triangel if you are visiting for lunch or dinner?
- Chalet Sofija - Just above Gozd Martuljek, the exceptional Chalet Sofija is located on Srednji Vrh, offering a beautiful view of the Julian Alps and the Martuljek group in particular.
- Milka Boutique Hotel - Milka is both a high-end restaurant and hotel next to lake Jasna below the Vršič pass.
- Villas and apartments - Because of the proximity to the tourist resort of Kranjska Gora, there are plenty of villas and apartments for rent.
