Beli Manastir will become the centre of one of eastern Croatia’s most recognisable food events on 5 September. The Croatian fish stew festival will bring together more than 200 cooks, with fish stew competitions, live music and outdoor festivities planned throughout the evening.
This year’s event moves to a new location in Antun Mihanović Park in Beli Manastir. The programme begins with the cooks gathering at 4 pm, followed by the first competition an hour later.
What happens at a Croatian fish stew festival?
The event centres on the preparation of fiš paprikaš, one of the best-known traditional dishes of Slavonia and Baranja. This type of cooking competition is locally known as a fišijada. The word fiš comes from the German word Fisch, meaning fish.
Fiš paprikaš is made with freshwater fish and a generous amount of ground paprika, which gives the stew its distinctive red colour, heat and intense flavour. It is traditionally cooked in a cauldron over an open fire, with control of the heat, the balance of ingredients and the choice of fish often determining the winner.
Recipes differ from one family to another and experienced cooks are often reluctant to reveal all their secrets. Although the dish may appear simple, a good fiš needs the right consistency, balanced heat and a pronounced fish flavour. It is served hot, often with homemade pasta.
The final dish is therefore only one part of the experience. Preparing the cauldrons, the aroma of fish and paprika spreading through the park and people gathering around the fires are all central to the event.
Two competitions in one evening
Croatia’s largest celebration of fiš paprikaš includes two separate cooking competitions.
The Croatian Fish Stew Championship begins at 5 pm and is reserved for qualified competitors. Open registration is not available. Cooks may participate only after receiving an invitation from the organisers and qualifying under the official competition rules.
The Baranja Fish Stew Championship begins at 6 pm and is open to interested cooks. The entry fee is €60 and includes three kilograms of fish, bread, plates, spoons, firewood, a table for eight people and an apron for the cook.
Competitors can register for the Baranja championship using an online form or in person at the Baranja Tourist Board office in Beli Manastir. The entry fee must be paid by 2 September.
The winners of both competitions are due to be announced at 8:30 pm.
Live music after the competitions
TS Lutalice will perform from 7 pm while the stews are cooking. Following the announcement of the winners, the evening continues with a concert by Lege at 9 pm and a performance by Mišomanija from 11 pm.
The full Croatian fish stew festival programme:
4 pm: Cooks gather
5 pm: Croatian Fish Stew Championship
6 pm: Baranja Fish Stew Championship
7 pm: TS Lutalice
8:30 pm: Winners announced
9 pm: Lege
11 pm: Mišomanija
A taste of Baranja in Beli Manastir
Beli Manastir is the largest town in Baranja, a region in the far east of Croatia between the Danube and Drava rivers. The area is known for its wines, paprika, freshwater fish dishes and cuisine shaped by Croatian, Hungarian and wider Danube traditions.
For international visitors who primarily associate Croatia with the Adriatic coast, the event offers a glimpse of a very different side of the country. Instead of saltwater fish cooked on a grill, the focus here is on freshwater fish, paprika, cauldrons and cooking over an open fire.
The Croatian fish stew festival takes place on Saturday, 5 September 2026 in Antun Mihanović Park in Beli Manastir.
