Former Berlin student Roland Török was inspired by the multicultural and culinary diversity of the German capital when he conceived of his new venture in the heart of District VII. Here on Klauzál tér, the German draught beer alone makes it worth popping into the Berlin Bistro – but great food and ambience also beckon.
Photo: Koncz Márton - We Love Budapest
You are now entering the culinary sector – Berlin Bistro serves Hauptstadt faves in District VII
Anyone who has been to Berlin has probably noticed
that the German capital embodies monumentality, sometimes refined or industrial,
perhaps historic, in colour or in black and white.
The Berlin Bistro has captured
a mixture of all this with high ceilings, clean pastel walls, bare brickwork
and neatly arranged photos.
Given the carefully chosen playlist, too, you quickly realise you have left the Hungarian sector and entered a place worthy of further exploration. Design and atmosphere are a hit.
When you first think of authentic German cuisine, all that cabbage and pork knuckle might not have you salivating like Pavlov’s Dog.
Photo: Koncz Márton - We Love Budapest
On the one hand, German cuisine is much more than
that, and on the other, we are talking about Berlin, a huge cosmopolitan metropolis
with its diversity of North-German, Swabian, Bavarian, Turkish, Hungarian,
Dutch and even Asian influences.
Roland’s idea was based on this concept,
because – in addition to falling in love with the German capital and undergoing an initial cultural shock – he knew purely German cuisine would confuse
chefs at home. The term ‘Berlin cuisine’ covers much, much more than just currywurst
and jägerschnitzel.
Salmon fillet
Photo: Koncz Márton - We Love Budapest
The salmon fillet with cherry tomatoes, fresh pesto, roast potatoes and spicy green sauce (HUF 4,650), given its gorgeous texture, is a reliable bet. The homemade Berlin boulette, a fried veal patty with fried eggs, roast potatoes and salad dressing (HUF 2,850) is a nourishing and exciting dish, while the famed currywurst (HUF 2,950) with tomato sauce, plus fried potatoes, is great.
Currywurst
Photo: Koncz Márton - We Love Budapest
The jägerschnitzel (fried chicken breast or pork chop with creamy mushroom sauce, fried potatoes and salad, HUF 3,350) takes you back to your last visit to Germany.
Jägerschnitzel
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Berlin Bistro sausages are also available for a few weeks at Majomhoz, a secret garden destination in Buda, but for the full menu, the varied daily menu, the relaxed brunches at weekends and the friendly atmosphere, head to Klauzál tér.
Photo: Koncz Márton - We Love Budapest
And once you do, there’s no need to rush anywhere. Relax. The music’s great, the Berliner beer superb and cold, the sausage huge and tasty. Noch eins?
Photo: Koncz Márton - We Love Budapest