After helping drive the revival of Budapest’s major party hub, the Gozsdu Udvar, popular contemporary venue Spíler has just set up over the river in Buda. Expanding the brand and widening the theme, Spíler Buda has rock music at its core, guitars, gold discs and album covers decorating this lively venue in signature red on a prominent corner of the MOM Park mall.
Stablemate of Spíler Original and Spíler Shanghai in Budapest’s bar vortex of the Gozsdu Udvar, Spíler Buda brings quality burgers, New World wines and guitar-driven rock to an otherwise mainstream corner of commercial Buda. Denim-clad staff set the tone as you walk in and are politely shown to a table of a split-level, single-room interior.
Australian rib-eye steak (8,760 HUF), Argentine beef fillet (9,680 HUF) and Iberian pork shoulder (5,280 HUF) star on the menu, though many will opt for the classic Spíler double burger (3,180 HUF) with maple bacon, cheddar cheese and a fried egg. Sides (980 HUF each) include goose-fat chips, sweet potato fries and charred broccoli with miso butter.
Surprisingly, a wine list featuring around 40 options by the bottle, ten by the glass, is dominated by New World varieties from South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, though you can find a glass of white Konyári Loliense from south Balaton and Kiss Gábor 364 Rouge from Villány. The most expensive item, at 105,000 forints, is a bottle of Chilean Mondavi Errazuriz – nearly twice the price, in fact, of the Marshall Bluetooth amplifier also offered on the menu by means of accentuating the rock theme.
Given the relentless soundtrack as you dine, you might instead prefer to keep in character and order a cult Hungarian beer (Csíki, Fehér Nyúl, Mad Scientist) or a cocktail – perhaps a Pornstar Martini of vodka, Prosecco and maracuja.
Spíler Buda MOM Park District XII. Alkotás utca 53
Open:New Year’s Eve 6pm-2am. Until 6 Jan Daily 11:30am-11pm. From 7 Jan Mon-Wed 8am-11pm, Thur-Fri 8am-midnight, Sat 11:30am-midnight, Sun 11:30am-5pm.
