Advent is already upon us, a time when Budapest’s upscale hotels allowing diners to indulge in fine festive feasts. Sit down with friends and family to enjoy roast duck, goose liver, traditional Hungarian desserts and many a glass of wine or champagne. While you dine, entertainment is provided by ballerinas and stars of classical music. Prices, menu options and dates vary, so read on to find the best one for you and your family.
Click here to check out our list of The best Christmas feasts in Budapest in 2022.
Of all the hotel restaurants offering Advent brunches, The Corso at the InterContinental surely lays on the most lavish entertainment. While diners tuck Gergő Gullner’s exquisite (mainly) Hungarian dishes – don’t leave without trying the foie gras – ballet dancers perform The Nutcracker around them, always a Christmas favourite. Mention must also be made of Nikoletta Vágó’s imaginative desserts, fashioned in bite-sized portions for you to sample at least a couple. French champagne is the cherry on the top – deals also include unlimited bubbly indulgence. The menu changes for each Advent Sunday, 8-22 December, and tickets begin at 14,900 forints. Make sure to book a table via the hotel’s site.
Advent brunches are also offered at the DNB Budapest on consecutive Sundays, with scrumptious dining options such as traditional Hungarian fish soup, braised stuffed cabbage and slow-roasted duck leg. All comes with an unparalleled view of the Danube. Detailed information can be found here. Tickets are 15,500 forints.
The recently opened Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest celebrates its first Christmas with a series of weekend concerts, on each Saturday and Sunday from 7-22 December, starring talented young musicians from Budapest’s prestigious Franz Liszt Music Academy. Performances last about 20-25 minutes and for this coming weekend, 7-8 December, diners can expect pieces by Mozart and Dvorák, as well as evergreen carols. Star TV chef László Papdi and his team take care of the dining side of things – see our recent appraisal of the stellar Párisi Passage Café & Brasserie here.
The Ritz-Carlton offers a sit-down Christmas dinner from 10-25 December, serving grilled seabass fillet with artichoke purée, mulled-wine ice cream and duck foie gras terrine with spicy plum chutney. Cost is 16,900 forints. A complete breakdown of events and special offers is presented on the hotel’s website.
In a fun twist, the Aria Hotel is hosting its own Christmas Market at the High Note SkyBar, running until 29 December, Friday-Sunday. Cocktails include OH MY DEER! and HUT’N’SPICY (alcohol-free), among others. There are also mini lángos snacks, Bavarian sausages and Christmas apple crumble. More information is on the Facebook event. The President Hotel has opened its annual rooftop ice-skating rink, and is making the attraction even more special this year with a hütte party seriesevery Sunday from 5-9pm. Spoil yourself with steaming bowls of Tokaji wine soup, pork rilette and emperor’s crumble. The full menu can be found here. Please note that the ice rink will be closed on 24 December.
