Pavus

The story

Pavus at Grad Tabor Laško – A Michelin-Starred Modern Cuisine Experience in Celje, Slovenia

Beyond the medieval walls of Grad Tabor Laško, just outside Celje, Pavus offers a dining experience that the Michelin guide has recognised with one star for its high-quality cooking.

Inside the castle, chef Marko Pavčnik, a self-taught culinary creator, leads the kitchen. He describes his style as “culinary wildness,” drawing inspiration from the forest and local nature. The team, including sous chef Mitja Mikloška and sommelier Ludvik Goričan, works to create a new Slovenian cuisine.

The menu is defined by what is local and seasonal, changing frequently. Ingredients are sourced from nearby producers or foraged directly from the adjacent woods. The result is a tasting experience of modern cuisine, with a focus on wild berries, flowers, and game. Dishes have included Adriatic amberjack with beer ponzu and spruce, and deer fillet with mushrooms, Jerusalem artichokes, and rowan berry.

Pavus encourages guests to choose from tasting menus of five to ten courses, each available with a wine pairing. The wine list itself holds around 150 carefully selected labels, and there is a dedicated spirits menu featuring local fruit brandies.

The atmosphere inside the castle is described as “wild elegance.” It is a space that fuses the history of the stone walls with modern, creative plates. For those looking to take the experience further, the restaurant also offers cooking courses with chef Pavčnik and hosts private events.