Hiša Franko, the restaurant run by the Slovenian Michelin-starred chef Ana Roš in the Soča Valley, has been picked as one of Europe’s best gourmet getaways by the National Geographic. On 7 April, the UK-based magazine National Geographic Traveller released the list of 23 iconic European restaurants that it says merit saving up and planning a short trip around them.

It notes that Roš is a self-taught chef who has been credited with putting Slovenia on the culinary map, having appeared on Netflix’s 2016 series Chef’s Table.

Her Hiša Franko in the western town of Kobarid has been featuring two Michelin stars since 2020 when the Michelin Guide first introduced the rating in Slovenia.

“Her cooking centres around innovative takes on Slovenian flavours — especially local cheeses and pastas, and greens and herbs grown or foraged nearby — as well as incorporating influences from Italy, just a few miles away,” writes National Geographic Traveller.

The 15-course tasting menu at Hiša Franko is available for €225.

The article notes that the Soča Valley offers activities such as hiking, rafting, fishing and mountain biking.

“The waters of the Soča River produce particularly prized trout – a regular feature at Hiša Franko – and you can also drive about an hour south to the Vipava Valley for some of the best wineries in Slovenia, including Posestvo Burja and Batič.”