About Us
About Us
Meet the team and story behind Riva.
Our Story
Our Story
Restaurant Riva was founded in 2010 with one simple ambition: to bring the flavours of the Mediterranean to the heart of Ljubljana. Our founder, chef Marco Bianchi, spent a decade cooking along the Italian coast before dreaming of a restaurant that would blend the freshness of the sea with the authenticity of local produce.
Today, Riva stands on Cankarjevo nabrežje and every day serves guests with dishes prepared from locally sourced ingredients — fishermen from the Adriatic, farmers from Dolenjska, and winemakers from Primorska.
Our philosophy is simple: quality ingredients, an honest approach and genuine hospitality. Every guest is welcome as part of our story.
Our Values
Our Values
Local Ingredients
We work with local farmers and fishermen for the freshest ingredients.
Exceptional Wines
Carefully selected wines from Slovenia and the Mediterranean to complement every dish.
Hospitality
Every guest is special to us — a warm welcome is part of every visit.
Our Team
Our Team
Chef Marco Bianchi
Executive Chef
Marco is Italian by birth, Slovenian at heart. After studying culinary arts in Bologna and a decade working in restaurants along the Adriatic coast, he settled in Ljubljana in 2010 and opened Riva.
Ana Kovač
Sommelier
Ana manages the wine list and creates harmonious pairings between food and wine. With a special passion for Slovenian and Friulian wines, she makes every visit to Riva a unique journey.