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Michelin Guide 2025
The renowned Michelin culinary guide has selected the best gastronomic offerings in Slovenia for 2025.
The restaurant Grad Otočec has once again found itself among the distinguished and esteemed company of restaurants that devote special attention to selecting high-quality ingredients for the preparation of delicious meals. It is listed among fifty restaurants that, according to the inspectors, show great potential.
On behalf of the Grad Otočec team, the award was accepted by the castle’s head chef, Đorđe Piperović.
What does the Michelin recognition mean for the culinary team of Hotel Grad Otočec?
The Michelin recognition is very important for our restaurant. It is a confirmation that we have chosen the right direction on our culinary journey and proof that the effort, precision, and dedication of every member of our team are reflected on the plate, in the atmosphere, and in the overall experience we offer our guests.
For me personally, it is a great honor, but also a responsibility to continue growing, to remain true to our philosophy, and to put soul into every dish we create. At Otočec, we all see the Michelin recognition as motivation for further development, for refining our flavors, and for continually seeking new and unique paths in gastronomy.
"This is an award for the entire team, who create every day with all their heart. Without the knowledge, dedication, and team spirit of each and every one of us, this achievement would not have been possible."
What do you focus on every day? What do you strive for?
In our kitchen, we constantly strive for honesty on the plate. For us, this means showing respect for ingredients and tradition, while also having the courage to be creative. We don’t just want to follow trends — we aim to build our own culinary signature, one that is based on authenticity, seasonality, and precision.
Our philosophy is simple – we love good, genuine local flavors, but we want to present them in our own way. We draw inspiration from tradition, from what we know and what has shaped us, yet we always add something of ourselves to every dish.
What do you think makes you special?
Our uniqueness lies in our ability to connect simple, traditional flavors with a personal touch — by paying great attention to detail, but without pretense. The food we serve is “honest” – we want to impress through authenticity.
Another special aspect is that every plate we serve represents a part of our team – from the selection of ingredients to the final touch.
"We work with heart, respecting the seasons, the local environment, and the story we wish to tell through each dish."
We want to do more than simply feed our guests – we want them to feel that they are part of our team. That they belong here, that they are welcomed.
What is the advantage of the Castle Garden, and how do the chefs communicate with the gardeners?
The main advantage of our Castle Garden is that the gardeners cultivate it organically, in harmony with nature. This allows us chefs to offer our guests the best and most authentic flavors that nature provides.
From this garden, we get most of our seasonal vegetables and herbs, as well as some less common plants that we know how to use creatively in the kitchen. This ensures both a diversity of flavors and a beautiful presentation on the plate.
We collaborate closely and regularly with the gardening team. Together, we plan what to plant based on the needs of the castle kitchens, what is currently available, and what will be ready soon. This cooperation is invaluable, as it allows us to plan our menus and adapt them to the seasons.
Do the chefs pick the produce themselves?
Yes, I personally visit the Castle Garden every day. When we are planning something special, the entire team joins me — together we find inspiration more easily. Having direct contact with the produce in the garden gives us the freshness and quality that form the foundation of every dish we prepare.
What do “local,” “homemade,” and “seasonal” mean in the Otočec kitchen?
For us, local, homemade, and seasonal are the foundations of quality and sustainability. It means respecting the nature that surrounds us. The produce we use comes from nearby — from our own Castle Garden and from trusted local suppliers.
This approach allows us to offer our guests fresh, authentic flavors. It also ensures that every dish is prepared with respect for the environment. For us, cooperation with local producers is not just good business — it’s a long-term relationship built on mutual trust, respect, and a shared vision of creating with care for a healthier and more beautiful future.
Restaurant Grad Otočec
Our commitment to natural, local, fresh, and flavorful ingredients convinced culinary experts to include our castle restaurant in the Michelin Guide years ago. Both the inspectors and our guests have been delighted by several things: the freshness of the ingredients, the local specialties, and the enchanting charm of the restaurant itself.