Gostilna Ribič

Ptujski Ribič is the most renowned fish restaurant in Styria! And that means a lot in a land where the seafood section of the menu gets the most attention even in inland taverns. The fact that it’s based in Ptuj is no coincidence—after all, it would be a shame if the "Ptujsko morje" (Ptuj Sea), Slovenia’s largest artificial lake, went uncelebrated.

On the riverside terrace along the Drava, accessible via a footbridge from the spa on the right bank or through the charming old streets of Slovenia’s oldest town on the left, the air carries the aroma not of ordinary fried calamari but of trska (stockfish) croquettes with parsley root cream, sturgeon fillet with gnocchi and chanterelles, sea bass with black risotto and saffron sauce, lobster tails with truffle purée, and of course, wild oven-baked fish.

But since local pride runs deep in Styria, the Ribič is also a butcher of sorts—serving Ptuj chicken in his own signature style: fried drumsticks, stuffed breasts, and sautéed liver with buckwheat.

When the sounds of Dalmatian klapa music ripple across the terrace, tourists need not mourn the end of their holiday—they can indulge in one last sea-inspired feast on their way home. And while local fishermen cast their lines in the blooming Drava below, Ribič navigates between seafood and poultry, between tradition and trends, ambition and chefs.

The new team is ambitious and experienced, the plates are modern, and the sea now faces even stronger meat competition—like goose liver with cabbage, elderflower, and blueberry sauce.

And for those wondering about dessert: don’t worry—the legendary chocolate fondant is still on the menu, now joined by gratinated cottage cheese pancakes.