Hiša Franko is the honeymoon stay for couples who want the best meal of their lives and a bed a few steps away. It is the restaurant of chef Ana Roš, in an 1860 farmhouse just outside Kobarid in Slovenia's Soča Valley and in 2023 it became the first restaurant in Slovenia to earn three Michelin stars. It has appeared on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list since 2017. Upstairs and around the house, a small number of guest rooms let you stay the night instead of driving mountain roads after a long tasting menu.
The food is rooted in the valley. Roš, who has no formal culinary training, cooks with what local foragers, shepherds, cheesemakers, hunters and fishermen bring her: wild herbs, mountain dairy, river trout, game, berries and mushrooms. There is one seasonal tasting menu and no à la carte and dinner takes about three hours.
It suits food-loving couples who want a celebration dinner as the centerpiece of a Slovenia honeymoon, combined with days of rafting, hiking and swimming in the Soča. It is not a resort. There is no spa or pool, the rooms are few and simple by luxury-hotel standards and the restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Highlights at a glance
- Three Michelin stars and a Michelin Green Star
- Chef Ana Roš's seasonal tasting menu
- A few guest rooms in an 1860 farmhouse
- Slovenian wine program led by Valter Kramar
- Soča River and Kozjak waterfall nearby
Why Couples Book Hiša Franko
A dinner here is an event. Over about three hours, the kitchen works through a single seasonal menu that tells the story of the valley, from alpine cheeses to river fish and foraged plants. Many couples plan their entire Slovenia route around getting a table. Staying overnight turns it into a complete experience: no designated driver, no dark mountain roads, just a short walk to bed.
The house has its own history. Built in 1860, it served as a farmhouse and as a hospital in World War I before standing empty. In the 1970s, Franko Kramar converted it into a restaurant and guest house and in 2000 it passed to his son, Valter Kramar and Ana Roš. Valter built the wine program, with a focus on Slovenian wines.
The restaurant was featured on Netflix's Chef's Table in 2016, which brought its first wave of international fame. It has been on every couple's food list since.
The Rooms
Hiša Franko has a small number of guest rooms, which is part of its appeal and its challenge. They sell out quickly, especially on weekends and in summer, so book your room and your table at the same time, as far ahead as you can.
Expect the comfort of a well-kept countryside guest house rather than a five-star hotel. The point is the location: a short walk from the dining room, in a quiet setting surrounded by meadows and mountains. Ask the team about room sizes, views and bathroom setup when you book, since rooms in an old farmhouse vary.
Guests must be 12 or older, which keeps the atmosphere calm and dogs are welcome for a small surcharge. Breakfast details and room rates are best confirmed directly with the restaurant, since they can change by season. If the rooms are full, Kobarid has several family-run guesthouses a few minutes away by car.
The Tasting Menu
There is one seasonal tasting menu and no à la carte option. Dishes change with what the valley produces, so a spring dinner will look very different from an autumn one, when mushrooms, game and berries take over. The cooking is creative but grounded, built on relationships with local producers.
The wine pairing is worth considering. Valter Kramar's program focuses on Slovenian wines, including skin-contact and orange wines from regions such as Goriška Brda, just south of the valley. If one of you does not drink, ask about non-alcoholic pairings.
Report any dietary needs at least one week in advance, as the menu is planned carefully. Dress is smart casual and both partners will be comfortable in neat trousers or a dress and comfortable shoes. Lunch runs from noon to 4 p.m. and dinner from 7 to 11 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday. The restaurant holds three Michelin stars and a Michelin Green Star for sustainability.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do in the Soča Valley
Spend the day before or after dinner outdoors. The Soča River runs a startling emerald green past Kobarid, Bovec and Tolmin and it is one of Europe's best rivers for rafting and kayaking. Outfitters in Bovec run trips for beginners and confident paddlers alike. The water is cold all year, so wetsuits are standard.
From Kobarid, walk to the Kozjak waterfall, which falls into a cave-like gorge and cross the swinging bridges on the Soča Trail. The Kobarid Museum covers the World War I Isonzo Front with real care. For a scenic drive, cross the Vršič Pass, with its 50 hairpin bends, toward Kranjska Gora.
Roads are narrow and mountain weather changes quickly, so carry layers and rain gear. Ticks are present in forests and meadows, so check yourselves after walks and ask a doctor about tick-borne encephalitis protection if you plan a lot of hiking.
Getting There
Hiša Franko is at Staro selo 1, just outside Kobarid. The nearest airport is Trieste (TRS), about 1 hour 20 minutes by car, which makes it easy to combine with Italy. Ljubljana Jože Pučnik (LJU) and Venice (VCE) are each about two hours away. There are no nonstop flights from the US to Ljubljana, so most couples connect through a European hub.
A rental car is close to essential in the Soča Valley, since public transport is limited. Free parking is available at the restaurant and the team notes that guests can also arrive by helicopter.
Book online through the restaurant's reservation system, by phone or by email. Because the restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, plan your stay for Wednesday to Sunday. Entry and visa rules depend on your citizenship and can change at short notice, so check the official government website before you book.
Is It Worth It?
For couples who love food, yes, without hesitation. A three-Michelin-star dinner in a historic farmhouse, followed by a night under the same roof and a morning by the Soča, is one of the most memorable experiences you can have in Europe and it costs less than many big-city fine dining trips.
Keep expectations realistic about the rooms. This is a restaurant with rooms, not a luxury hotel and there is no spa, pool or concierge desk. Couples who want resort comforts should treat Hiša Franko as one or two nights within a longer trip, perhaps paired with Lake Bled or the coast at Piran. Those who are not excited by long tasting menus would be happier at a family-run guesthouse in Bovec or the Trenta Valley, spending the money on rafting and hiking. For food lovers, it is the reason to visit the valley.
Insider tips
- Book your room and your table together as early as possible; rooms are few.
- Send dietary requests at least a week before your visit.
- Plan your dinner for Wednesday to Sunday; the restaurant closes Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Fly into Trieste for the shortest transfer, about 1 hour 20 minutes.
