Ilich Pastry Shop and Café

On Slovenska Street in Maribor's old town, Ilich Patisserie and Café traces its roots to 1909. That year, trained confectioner Emanuel Ilich introduced influences from Viennese and Prague pastry traditions to the city. The café still serves as a gathering place, with a terrace overlooking the pedestrian street.

Its house-made ice cream is a particular attraction. Pastry chef Klemen Logar has received awards at Slovenian and European ice cream competitions. The selection brings together cream slices, chocolate cakes, cream horns and homemade biscuits with contemporary individual desserts. The team prepares its own puff pastry for cream slices and croissants. Another speciality is Nina's tart, made with pistachio, almond and raspberry.

Ilich also has a place in Maribor's cultural life. Over the years, the café has hosted recitals and small concerts, adding to its history as a meeting point for local residents. Coffee, cake and ice cream are served in a setting that connects more than a century of confectionery tradition with contemporary pastry making.