Budapest restaurants

[South Jersey Epicurean]

I'm leaving for Europe on Sunday...I have Prague covered from the forums, but need major help in Budapest for dining out other than from the "Let's Go" guide. I'd also like any recommendations on what to see....

I need immediate help!!

[Gifted Gourmet]

Start here

I was in Budapest last November and loved every moment of my visit! Ate at some marvelous places and will, very shortly, get you the names ... also took a nighttime dinner cruise down the Danube, which is simply marvelous with all of the major buildings and castles, monuments, etc. lit up!

More momentarily ....

[Gifted Gourmet]

This was my list for Budapest

and here are the excellent places where I wound up eating:

Restaurant Citadella

Restaurant Monarchia

Mátyáspince

Restaurant Gundel

Suggest you read the guide on this website for more details and directions ....

[bloviatrix]

It's been too many years since I visited the city, but I have a major piece of advice for you. Pick up a copy of the Budapest Atlas in a bookstore as soon as you get there. It will be your savior in getting around.

[gariotin]

Thanks for the good tips! I did also get two suggestions from a Hungarian emigre who often visits his home:

Kacsa Vendeglo on the Buda side

Rezkakas restaurant, also on the Buda side.

Interestingly enough, he said to avoid Gundel - felt it was overrated and overpriced.

[Gifted Gourmet]

Interestingly enough, he said to avoid Gundel - felt it was overrated and overpriced.

Frommer's Guides on Gundel .. (see last sentence)

[zaelic]

Gundel is overrated, yes, but it is good if you are trying to impress diplomats or future in-laws. The Gundel is all about history, not really gastronomy. For Hungarian dishes you can get the same food - minus the anachronistically stiff waiters and the dinner jacket requirement - at almost any restaurant in town for 1/10 of the price. For "continental" you are better off at any of the French or Italian restaurants. They have a good wine list at Gundel's, though. For the price of a bottle of a good wine there you could book a tour of the wine regions around Villany or Tokaj, though.

Bagolyvar is OK - just that. It is at least cheaper than the Gundel.

The trick to good food in Budapest is to find places that are out of the center of town and are not dependant on microwaving everything to death. Other suggestions are the Fatal (means "wooden plate) downtown, the Castro Bistro on Raday Utca (serb specialties, but the best gulyas in town) and the Kadar Etkezde on Klauzal ter (open only for lunch, closed mondays and weekends).

My favorite fish soup place (with honest hearty main courses and occaisuionally drunk waiters) is the Arany Hal Etterem (take the black 7 bus towards Bosnyak ter, get off at the corner of Thokoly and Amerikai utca after the railroad bridge. ) in my neighborhood, Zuglo.

[zaelic]

Other suggestions: the Kehli in Obuda, and the Tabani Kakas at Attila ut 27 in Buda - great matzo ball soup, goose specialties, everything cooked in goose fat. For super sized portions the Szent Jupat at Moszkva ter (Dekan utca) - just don't get "garlic pork" - it uses nasty garlic powder.

Edited August 3, 2004 by zaelic (log)

[Jon Tseng]

The Chowhound int'l board also has some good stuff on Budapest - was very useful last summer

cheerio

J