Floating cafe bistro Ribchic Piranha is bringing a fresh dining experience to Gloucester Docks in 2026, serving a global buffet of tasty dishes aboard its restored 115-year-old oil tanker.
With the floating restaurant having welcomed diners for a trial period earlier this year, it's getting set for its official relaunch as a weekend destination in the autumn, offering the opportunity to eat right on the water.
SoGlos explores the Ribchic's journey to becoming part of the docks' foodie scene, along with what diners can expect when they visit.
What is Ribchic Piranha?
A unique floating cafe bistro anchored at Gloucester Docks, Ribchic Piranha offers what it described as a high-quality and laid-back dining experience, hosting 'The Ultimate Weekend Buffet'.
Its spread features generous, fresh and hearty options, designed to turn the boat into 'a true main-event destination, rather than just a quick pitstop'.
In addition to its buffets, the boat is also available as a unique private hire option with group catering for birthday parties, family gatherings, and special celebrations, with or without food.
What's on the Ribchic Piranha menu?
Diners at Ribchic Piranha can expect a 'veritable feast' of dishes inspired by cuisine from around the world, with the owners describing 'the illusion of choice presented by so many other buffets' as 'a world away' from its offering.
Seated in its intimate below deck area which has space for 20 diners, customers can create an array of tasty dishes from its buffet options – such as a 'spice platter' of skewered battered prawns with Madras sauce on a paratha, with homemade samosas, vegetable bites and roasties; and what the owners describe as 'the best fish and chips on the docks'.
Diners can also tuck into options like fried chicken wings with Caribbean barbecue sauce, skewered chicken breast in South African barbecue sauce, marinaded chicken breast, and a whole lot more.
Along with its regular buffet sittings below deck, for which advance booking is required, there's also a walk-on option – where customers can purchase a single-fill Feast Box which they fill during one visit to the buffet area, to be enjoyed on the top deck.
Priding itself on inclusivity, Ribchic's serves exclusively Halal meat and alcohol-free sauces, to accommodate all members of the Gloucester community, while diners should note the cafe bistro is strictly 'bring your own booze'.
History of the Ribchic Piranha
Built in 1911 as an oil tanker, the Ribchic Piranha carried oil and derivatives of coal processing in Wales to Bristol and up the River Severn in its previous life.
When the Severn Bridge was constructed and freight travelled by road, the boat became redundant and was bought by a Stourport company for use as a river cruiser.
By 2010, the Danter family had acquired the boat and had converted it into pub, The Showman. The boat was about to be scrapped in 2017 when its current owners discovered and bought it, and began the restoration process.
Ribchic Piranha's 2026 relaunch
While the boat first opened its doors in 2023 under the name Ribchic Piranha, and was run for 11 weeks earlier this year with a short à la carte menu, the owners say they listened closely to guests, looked at how people use the space, and decided to temporarily pause service in August to 'recharge, refit, and retool'.
Owner Mark Hyland said: 'This October isn't just a reopening – it's a complete relaunch as a weekend destination.
'We realised that a venue on the water shouldn't just be an afterthought for late-night nibbles by brewery customers; it deserves to be a primary reason people come down to the Docks.
'Moving to a dedicated weekend buffet format allows us to deliver incredible food with seamless service in a unique environment.'
Ribchic Piranha opening times and prices
From early October 2026, Ribchic Piranha will be open to diners at weekends. On Saturdays, there will be two 75-minute Buffet Lunch sittings between 12pm and 3pm, costing £17 per head; two 75-minute Late Afternoon Buffet sittings between 3pm and 6pm, at £20 per head; and two 90-minute Evening Buffet sittings between 6pm and 10pm, for £25 per head including a complimentary mocktail.
While on Sundays, there will be four 75-minute sittings between 12pm and 6pm, costing £20 per head. Feast Boxes will be available during buffet hours, costing £12, while desserts can be purchased for £5, too.
The owners also plan to extend the buffet to Fridays and Thursdays once weekends are established.
Bookings and table reservations can be made directly via its web page, which is currently under construction. Links to the website will be available via the Ribchic Piranha Facebook and Instagram pages – facebook.com/Ribchics and instagram.com/ribchic_piranha – where details of early bird booking access and special group package rates for private hires will also be available.
Bookings can also be made by reaching out to Ribchic Piranha by email, at marcus@ribchicpiranha.co.uk.
