Today, everyone sees a full terrace, but few see everything that came before it. Economic crises. A pandemic. Endless renovations, but also years of fully booked tables. We could call it a story of resilience and adaptation. Things didn’t always go smoothly, but throughout it all we held on to one belief: good things happen where people come together with the same purpose. A desire to welcome others.
We Didn’t Get Everything Right from the Start
Trends changed. Tastes evolved. Guests’ expectations shifted. Even Bratislava itself transformed. And we changed along with it. We searched for the right menu, the right spaces, and the right way of working. Our biggest mistake? Thinking that a great restaurant is only about great food.
“In the beginning, we focused mainly on what was on the plate. Today, we know that what happens around it is just as important. The atmosphere. A smile. Genuine attention. People come back for the feeling.” — Maxim, Founder
Hospitality Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Today, we are a well-established part of Bratislava’s Old Town, with countless reviews, recommendations, and awards behind us. Yet our manager Marek describes hospitality not through accolades, but through thousands of ordinary days:
“It’s not about who shines the brightest for a moment. It’s about who can remain consistent after five, ten, or twenty years. There are only a handful of businesses that manage that, and we admire every one of them. Consistency matters more than perfection.”
People Are Our Greatest Value
Some of our guests first came to us as children with their parents and now make reservations of their own. Others came for a first date and today return to celebrate wedding anniversaries. Over the years, we’ve learned that the greatest value of any restaurant is not its walls or its menu—it’s the people and the relationships that grow within it.
And it’s not just about our guests. Many colleagues joined us for what was meant to be a weekend job and ended up staying for years. Take our pizzaiolo Miloš, who is also celebrating an incredible 20 years with Gatto Matto.
And then there’s Aron. We celebrated his very first birthday here, and today he works with us part-time while studying. Moments like these remind us just how quickly time passes.
20 Quick Notes from 20 Years on Panská
01 The story of Gatto Matto began on Panská Street. Not in Rusovce. Not on Ventúrska. Right here.
02 Our first kitchen was in a garage. Instead of cars, it housed pots, pans, and stoves.
03 We lived through the pre-Instagram era. And yes, people enjoyed their meals without taking photos first.
04 We grew from 16 seats to 116. One day at a time. One guest at a time.
05 Running a family business has its unique features. Including remarkably synchronized “crocodile marches” from our colleagues.
06 For our first work meeting, one table was enough. Today, we would probably fill the whole restaurant.
07 We renovated on a grand scale three different times. And each time, we were convinced it would be the last.
08 There were crises, too. Economic. Pandemic-related. Staffing. Energy.
09 There were days when we weren’t sure we’d even open the next morning. And then the guests came.
10 The biggest renovation is rarely the physical one. It’s the one that happens in your mindset.
11 Some recipes have survived every culinary trend. With a few updates, of course, but they still work.
12 In twenty years, we’ve had only two head chefs. The unforgettable Rado Ferencey and our current chef, Jakub Benčo.
13 Our tiramisu has survived renovations, crises, and trends. It still has its place on our menu.
14 Some guests have been ordering the same dish for years. And honestly, we might be worried if they suddenly chose something else.
15 The most frequently ordered combination over the last 20 years? Pizza Margherita and a glass of wine.
16 Our waiters have heard more life stories than many therapists. Sometimes all it takes is a sincere conversation.
17 A community can’t be bought—it’s built over time. And we are deeply grateful for ours.
18 It wasn’t only our guests who found love here—our colleagues did too. Eight couples met here and are still together today.
19 The best ideas don’t happen in meetings. They happen somewhere between lunch and coffee.
20 After all these years, we know that the best advertisement sits at the table. It’s called a happy guest.
What Comes Next? Still Moving …
Twenty years is a beautiful milestone. For us, however, it is not a destination—it is a reminder that there is always room to grow. Bratislava is changing. New neighbourhoods are emerging. New community spaces are taking shape, creating new places for city life to unfold. And we’ve always loved being part of that story.
That is why we are watching the development of Vydrica beneath the castle with great interest. We believe in its vision and hope to become part of it. At the same time, we are not rushing to leave our original home on Panská Street. There are still a few more seasons to enjoy before that new chapter begins. One thing is certain: the countdown has already started. And we’ll tell you more very soon. ✨
