Become a JRE-Inside+ member and enjoy exclusive benefits, inspiring interviews, recipes & articles, event infos and more.
- Always up to date with our world of fine dining
- Receive invites to exclusive events
- Get to know our Chefs through interviews and recipes
This article is for JRE-Inside+ members only
Go JRE-Inside+Destination Prekmurje, Slovenia
Welcome to the far east of Slovenia, where fertile plains meet healing waters and time-honoured recipes still thrive in everyday life. Thermal Pannonian Slovenia is a region shaped by nature’s abundance, rural traditions, and a deep-rooted hospitality. It's a place where thermal springs bubble from the depths of the earth, and golden grains sway across endless fields. This landscape has given rise to a cuisine that is comforting, inventive and proudly regional. Here, ancient dishes are being reimagined by modern chefs while staying true to their origin – a testament to Slovenia’s broader culinary tapestry.
Cuisine in Prekmurje: A Heritage to Savor
The heart of this region beats in its ovens. Layered gibanica cakes, buttery flatbreads, and crispy zlejvanke are born from the wealth of grains grown in the Pannonian fields. The most iconic dish? Without question, the Prekmurska gibanica – a rich, multi-layered pastry filled with poppy seeds, apples, walnuts, and cottage cheese, representing a full year of flavours in one decadent bite.
Other traditional delights include dödole (potato-based dumplings fried until golden), hearty winter dishes like bujta repa (pork and sour turnip stew), tünka (preserved pork fat and meat), and robust butcher's platters served during koline (pig-slaughter season).
No meal is complete without a drizzle of Štajersko-Prekmursko pumpkin seed oil – dark, intensely nutty, and so beloved that even desserts wear it proudly. Locally sourced natural mineral waters, emerging from ancient depths, are the drink of choice and a symbol of the region's healing energy.
Sightseeing in Prekmurje
The beauty of this region lies in its contrast – gently rolling vineyards, winding rivers, and thermal spa towns pepper the landscape. From Moravske Toplice to Ptuj, visitors are welcomed with relaxation, rustic charm, and scenic views. Vineyards in Jeruzalem offer breathtaking panoramas and world-class wine tastings, while historical towns like Murska Sobota invite you to slow down and savour.
A Landscape Shaped by Life and Warmth
What sets Thermal Pannonian Slovenia apart is its pastoral charm, flat open fields, and earth-bound richness. It’s a land where every home tells a story – of family, harvest, and homemade bread. From clay-tiled farmhouses to slow-cooked stews, the region has a quiet strength rooted in centuries of rural life. Its thermal springs aren’t just for wellness, but are woven into the rhythm of local life. Hospitality here is not a service – it’s a way of being.
Places That Tell Prekmurje’s Story
Prekmurje, the northernmost corner of the region, is a treasure trove of discovery. It offers an irresistible blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and culinary authenticity. Among the top attractions are the Vinarium Tower, with panoramic views of four countries, the imposing Grad Castle in Goričko, the mystical Rotunda in Selo, and Plečnik’s modernist church in Bogojina.
Nature lovers flock to Bukovniško Lake, known for its healing energies, or the romantic Island of Love featuring the old Babič Mill. Families enjoy the Expano Experience Center, a modern showcase of Prekmurje's identity, or wander through the tropical orchid garden in Dobrovnik. And for pure relaxation, the Terme 3000 spa complex offers warm, therapeutic bliss. Don’t miss a trip to the pottery village of Filovci, where ancient craftsmanship is still alive and well.
JRE Chefs in Prekmurje
Three JRE chefs call this region home – each telling a unique story of heritage, passion, and reinvention.
Leon Pintarič, head chef of Gostilna Rajh in Bakovci, works alongside his mother Tanja Pintarič, an honorary JRE member. Together, they elevate traditional Prekmurje cuisine with refinement, love, and an unwavering respect for local ingredients. Their restaurant is a cherished institution that balances memory with modernity.
Bine Volčič, one of Slovenia’s most acclaimed chefs, made a bold move from the capital to the tranquil vineyards near Lendava, where he and his wife Katarina created Monstera Estate. Here, Volčič brings together classical French technique, a flair for creativity, and local Pannonian character in a menu that speaks to the land and the chef’s deep curiosity.
Together, these chefs prove that even in Slovenia’s quietest corners, gastronomic excellence thrives – deeply rooted in place, yet reaching for the stars.
