The renowned Michelin Guide has selected the best gastronomic offering of 2025 in Slovenia.

Restaurant Grad Otočec has once again found itself among the esteemed group of restaurants that place special emphasis on the careful selection of high-quality ingredients for the preparation of delicious dishes. It is among fifty restaurants that, according to the evaluators, show great potential.

On behalf of the Restaurant Grad Otočec team, the award was accepted by the castle’s chef, Đorđe Piperović.

What does the Michelin recognition mean for the culinary team of Hotel Grad Otočec’s restaurant?

The Michelin recognition is extremely important for our restaurant. It confirms that we have chosen the right direction on our culinary journey and proves that the effort, precision, and dedication of every team member are reflected on the plate, in the atmosphere, and in the overall experience we offer our guests.
On a personal level, this represents a great honor and at the same time places responsibility on me to continue growing, to remain faithful to our philosophy, and to give every dish a soul. At Otočec, we all see the Michelin recognition as motivation for further development, for refining flavors, and for constantly seeking new and unique culinary paths.

“This is an award for the entire team that creates day after day with all its 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 believe is your distinguishing feature?

Our distinguishing feature lies in our ability to combine simple, traditional flavors with a personal touch, paying great attention to detail without any pretension. Our food is “honest” — we aim to impress through authenticity.

Another special aspect is that each plate represents a part of our team — from the selection of ingredients to the final touch.

“We work with heart, respect the seasons, the local environment, and the story we wish to tell with each dish.”

We want to offer our guests more than just a meal; we want them to feel that they are part of our team — that they belong and are truly welcomed.

What is the advantage of the Castle Garden and how do chefs communicate with the gardeners?

The advantage of our Castle Garden is that it is cultivated organically, in harmony with nature. This allows us chefs to offer our guests the finest and most authentic flavors nature can provide.

From this garden, we source most of our seasonal vegetables and herbs, as well as less common plants that we creatively incorporate into our cuisine. This ensures diversity of flavors and visual elegance on the plate.

We work closely and continuously with the gardening team, discussing what to plant according to the needs of the castle kitchens, what is currently available, and what will be ready soon. This collaboration is extremely valuable, as it enables menu planning and adaptation to the seasons.

Do the chefs harvest the produce themselves?

I personally visit the Castle Garden every day, of course. When we are planning something special, the entire team goes together, as inspiration is easier to find collectively. Direct contact with the garden produce ensures freshness and quality — which form the foundation of our cuisine.

What do local, homemade, and seasonal mean in the Otočec kitchen?

For us, local, homemade, and seasonal represent the foundation of quality and sustainability. They mean respecting the natural environment in which we operate. The ingredients we use come from nearby — from our Castle Garden and from trusted suppliers. This approach allows us to offer our guests fresh, authentic flavors. It also ensures that our dishes are prepared with respect for the environment and that cooperation with local producers is not merely a business advantage, but a long-term relationship based on mutual trust, respect, and a shared vision of creating a healthier and more beautiful future.

Castle Garden