Dinner at 160 metres below ground

Descend into the gastronomical adventure in the Velenje Coal Mine

In the world of miners, on one of the thickest layers of coal in the world, you can enjoy a top gastronomic experience with a touch of humour. How to get there? With the oldest elevator in Slovenia.

A unique 5-star experience in the darkness of the mine

Velenje is a young city. It was founded and developed as a result of coal mining, an activity that continues to have a strong influence on the development of the town and the region. With the abandonment of mining activity, the underground was opened to the general public, who can see the original mine tunnels and experience a ride in an authentic mine crane and train.

Each descent into the mine begins with “Good luck!” This is also the case in Velenje, where the oldest elevator in Slovenia takes you to the Slovenian Coal Mining Museum. But before that, you need the obligatory equipment: a safety helmet, a flashlight, a welcome drink and a jump over the skin. The Knapp’s greeting from the kitchen is named after the traditional welcome for newcomers among the old miners.

The original custom required young miners to jump over the mine shaft, but when the shaft became too large, it was replaced by the skin that would be strapped over the miner’s backside. A piece of calfskin with a strap and belts was used for descending down the shafts, as well as providing additional protection against moisture.

After descending in the famous elevator, you and your guide can see the most attractive underground locations and learn about the story of mining. With 55 kilometres of tunnels still active, the Velenje Coal Mine is one of the few coal mining museums in this part of Europe. If all the lignite mined in the Velenje mine were loaded onto wagons, it could circle the Earth twice.

Good luck among the miners and premium experience with the chefs

The table is waiting. The “Štajger’s Lunch” or the lunch in the deepest dining room in Europe now begins. Who is a “štajger”, you may ask? This is not a surname of some well-known chef or miner. “Štajger” is a mining expression for a coal mine supervisor.

Culinary delights are carefully prepared in the Gorenje catering in Velenje. Their experienced artisans take care of the gastronomy in several companies, the Hotel Paka, the three restaurants in the city and the private banquets. They approach cooking with great creativity and, above all, with exceptional respect for nature and the traditional ingredients of the Šaleška Valley.

The four-course meal is steeped in tradition and mining quirks, wrapped in the clothes of modern and cutting-edge gastronomy, with a touch of humour. Guests can choose from three menus, one meat, one fish and one vegetarian, all of which play on mining traditions and highlight local ingredients.

The gastronomic indulgence starts with “župa” – a soup that can be potato, vegetable, or carrot. This is followed by tasty dishes with enigmatic names. Grenadirmarš is a traditional Zasavje pasta, krumpentoč is a traditional potato patty, and noodles with porcini mushrooms are also fragrant.

The next course serves veal loin in sage sauce with raisins and Riesling, potato wedges, Špegelj trout, spinach mousse, seasonal vegetables with buckwheat groats and young cheese, rainbow polenta and other delicacies. The icing on the cake is the apple-flavoured dessert, named after St Barbara, patron saint of miners.

Each course has an excellent wine accompaniment. Most of the wines are from the nearest wine-growing region, Podravje, but there are a few surprises in between from western Slovenia. A musical surprise adds a magical touch to the whole experience.

A glass of sparkling wine to say goodbye

After the culinary indulgence, visitors take an exciting ride on the mining train, which transported miners for decades, back to the cave’s elevator and the return to the surface. Just as the miners ended their working day in the “black” changing room, where they put away their mining work clothes, the unique Velenje Underground experience ends there. But before you say goodbye, a glass of fine sparkling wine and a surprise souvenir await you.