Have you tried olbič (Pohorje spoonbread)? Five Styrian flavours worth discovering

Olbič, also known as pohorski žganci (Pohorje spoonbread), can be served as a side dish or a dish in its own right, for example with milk or milky coffee. Its traditional presentation mentions an earthenware bowl from which the whole family once ate.

This detail deserves more than a passing glance at the menu. It tells you how a meal brought the household together and how different the way of serving food once was.

Pohorski pisker (Pohorje stew) brings together root vegetables, porcini mushrooms, pearl barley, meat and herbs.

Ask the provider about the precise ingredients. The house version can reveal which ingredients and flavours the kitchen particularly emphasises.

Pohorska bunka (Pohorje cured pork) is a cured pork product. It is presented thinly sliced, with bread and other accompaniments.

It is a good choice for a small culinary stop or as part of a tasting. When ordering, ask about the product’s origins and the recommended accompaniments.

Pohorska gibanica (Pohorje cottage cheese cake) is based on enriched yeast dough and cottage cheese, with fruit, walnuts or tarragon adding seasonal variety.

These additions are a good reason to return. The same type of dessert can reveal different versions of regional flavour in different kitchens.

A sponge base, lingonberries and cream make up this distinctive sweet combination. Pohorska omleta (Pohorje sweet omelette) is presented as a dessert served fresh and warm.

Before visiting, check how it is prepared and whether it needs to be ordered in advance. If you want to try it, make a special stop and allow enough time.