Vander Restaurant — Restaurant in Upravna Enota Ljubljana

Vander or wanderer for translation purposes, is a lovely place to enjoy the a cozy, relaxing atmosphere keystoned with the notable birds of paradise placed around the restaurant adding a little extra charm.

However this charm is quickly lost upon the silent but obvious unequal treatment of customers based on our accents alone. Almost like with North American accents our server no longer saw us as humans but walking, talking wallets. (Note all these interactions are the result of one staff member)

Evidence part 1 This single staff member who first informed us the the chef’s deep dishes were really only an appetizer size and probably not enough food, good recommendation however it seemed to be a different message for our European neighbours…. It also did not hold true upon seeing the deep dishes that were delivered to the table next door.

Evidence part 2: After being informed about our appetizer. Our serve quickly mentioned maybe get one app and a main.

Evidence part 3: menu recommendations from our server the two most expensive items on the menu. Odd can not report on other tables experiences.

Evidence part 4: In a European culture that has now been lived in for a few years. It is understood that tipping for great service is acceptable but is not a the normal. So it is bit off putting to have your server inform you that service is not included in your bill implying that a tip is expected. When the same message is again not delivered to our European based neighbours sitting right next to us.

Luckily our night was not left with a sour taste as the food was of excellent quality and enjoyed by everyone in our party of four.

However if I was to leave a recommendation it would be one of the two following: If your North American avoid this place as you will likely lose your identity as a person and become a wandering pay check. If you are the manager or owner of this establishment it might be time to educate your staff about equal treatment or risk having future customers do as they should and wander right on by to a location that will treat everyone the same attitude...

Dining at Vander Restaurant in the heart of Ljubljana was an unforgettable experience from start to finish.

Food: Each dish was a work of art—beautifully plated, full of vibrant flavors, and crafted from fresh, local ingredients. The seafood was delicate and perfectly seasoned, the homemade pasta rich and comforting, and the desserts felt like the perfect sweet finale without being overly heavy. Every bite balanced tradition and creativity in a way that truly stood out.

Service: The service was warm, attentive, and professional without feeling intrusive. Staff were knowledgeable about the menu and wine pairings, happy to offer thoughtful recommendations, and genuinely seemed to take pride in making the evening special. Small touches, like refilling glasses just before you realized they were empty, made the experience seamless.

Atmosphere: The restaurant’s setting is stunning—modern elegance with a touch of coziness. Whether seated inside with its chic, contemporary design or outside along the river, the ambiance is intimate yet lively. Soft lighting and a gentle buzz of conversation made it the perfect spot for both a romantic dinner and a relaxed gathering with friends.

Overall: Vander Restaurant delivers on every front—flavor, hospitality, and style. A must-visit for anyone wanting a memorable dining experience...

Disappointing and Unwelcoming First Impression

We were really looking forward to enjoying our first evening in Ljubljana and chose Vander restaurant, drawn by its location along the river and its charming outdoor seating. Unfortunately, our experience was deeply disappointing and left us feeling unwelcome.

We asked a kind female staff member if they served fresh orange juice, and she confirmed they did. We then chose a table with a nice river view that was completely unoccupied. Moments later, a male waiter approached us and insisted that the table was reserved—despite the fact that there was no indication of a reservation and he moved us to an almost identical empty table just beside it.

Trying to move past the awkward exchange, we placed an order for two fresh orange juices. The same male waiter abruptly replied, “We only serve dinner,” despite the fact that nearly everyone around us was just having drinks, not meals. It was still early in the evening, just before sunset, and the atmosphere was casual—not a dinner-only setting.

As a visibly brown woman, I couldn’t help but feel that our presence was not welcome. The waiter’s tone, body language, and unnecessary insistence on moving us felt dismissive and discriminatory. My husband and I are both physicians and frequent travelers. We’ve visited many countries and always seek to engage respectfully with local culture—but this interaction left us with a bitter first impression of what should have been a warm welcome to Slovenia.

Respectful human interaction matters just as much as beautiful sights when visiting a new country. Sadly, this experience has made us question our decision to visit, and we hope that no other visitors feel the same sense of exclusion we did.

Razočaranje in občutek nevljudnosti ob prvem vtisu

Zelo sva se veselila prvega večera v Ljubljani in izbrala restavracijo Vander zaradi njene lokacije ob reki in prijetnega zunanjega prostora. Na žalost je bila najina izkušnja zelo razočarajoča in nama je dala občutek, da nisva dobrodošla.

Vprašali sva prijazno natakarico, ali strežejo sveže pomarančni sok, in potrdila je, da ga. Nato sva se usedla za prazno mizo z lepim razgledom na reko. Le nekaj trenutkov kasneje je pristopil moški natakar in vztrajal, da je ta miza rezervirana—čeprav ni bilo nobenega znaka o rezervaciji in naju je premaknil k skoraj enaki prazni mizi poleg nje.

Poskušala sva nadaljevati, zato sva naročila dva sveža pomarančna soka. Isti natakar je nenadoma odvrnil: »Strežemo le večerje,« kljub temu da so vsi okoli naju pili pijače in skoraj nihče ni jedel. Bil je še zgodnji večer, tik pred sončnim zahodom, in vzdušje je bilo sproščeno – ne izključno za večerje.

Kot vidna muslimanka z naglavno ruto sem imela občutek, da najina prisotnost ni bila zaželena. Ton, govorica telesa in nepotrebna zahteva po premiku so bili zelo odklonilni in diskriminatorni. Sva zdravnika in pogosto potujeva. Obiskala sva številne države in vedno se trudiva spoštovati lokalno kulturo – vendar nama je ta interakcija pustila grenak vtis o državi, ki naj bi naju sprejela z odprtimi rokami.

Spoštljiv človeški stik pomeni enako kot lepe znamenitosti ob obisku nove države. Na žalost naju je ta izkušnja prisilila, da sva podvomila o odločitvi za obisk, in upava, da noben drug obiskovalec ne bo občutil take...