Enjoy wood-fired pizza & an evergreen garden at the foot of the Buda Castle – Riso Ristorante & Terrace

Nestled in a picturesque and historical environment - only a few steps away from the Castle District – and offering exquisite Mediterranean dishes, Riso Ristorante & Terrace is a popular destination even for locals. And when you are on the hunt for the best restaurants in town, what could be a better endorsement?

Riso is for all ages and occasions. It regularly welcomes older, more classic diners as well as younger guests who choose the restaurant for a friendly get-together, a romantic dinner, or even a business lunch.

Family atmosphere, international cuisine

It’s great to visit a place with a history of more than 10 years. Owner László Takács is proud of how they have managed to keep their staff even during the pandemic. It is a telltale sign of loyal staff and guests.

“I still believe in the word hospitality. Respect from both guests and staff is crucial, as we are all part of the great Riso team” says László.

You can feel this homely and casual atmosphere from the moment you enter, as each guest is approached personally, returning guests are greeted like friends, and tourists are welcomed with warmth.

Duck on the cube

We arrived on a sunny, autumn day and our first choice was three duck dishes. For starters, we sampled duck liver, which came with toasted kolach and fabulous thyme pear jam. The latter complemented the liver well with its sweet and spicy flavour.

We stuck to duck for main courses, as well. The roast duck leg, a crowd favourite, was a nice companion to the cabbage gnocchi, which was suitably soft but juicy from the steamed cabbage. The duck legs were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with some crunchy duck rind sprinkled on top. The porcini duck meat filled tortelloni came with creamy foie gras. The latter enriches the range of homemade pastas, which is Riso’s forte, with specialities such as casarecca with tomatoes, buffalo-mozzarella, and rocket, or spinach ravioli stuffed with cream cheese salmon in tomato mascarpone sauce. You can also order their spaghetti dishes with gluten-free pasta.

If Riso, then Risotto

We couldn’t leave out the eponymous rice dishes, risottos, which are also in abundance. Here we also sampled a dish that has been a staple on the menu for years. The spiciness of the chilli-ginger prawn risotto was well balanced by the soft tomato cream. You can also opt for the wild mushroom version or even the seafood risotto.

Neither thin nor thick – pizza made in wood-fired ovens

The wood-fired oven is located next to the year-round terrace, where pizzas are baked continuously from midday. They don’t follow fashionable trends but have practically maintained the same proven quality since the beginning.

Some of the ingredients, such as flour, are imported from Italy, and they also make sure that the dough has a minimum 24-hour proofing time.

The dough is thinner in the middle, chunkier at the edges, crispy, but not overcooked. Toppings range from Prague ham and mushrooms to Neapolitan spicy salami and tuna. The menu also features a Hungarian version with spicy salami, bacon, and paprika – not just for tourists, of course.

Desserts from homemade rice ice cream to mascarpone cream

At Riso, the homemade rice ice cream is a big hit and is a favourite not only in summer but all year round. The chocolate soufflé with vanilla ice cream and blackberry sauce, the Riso cheesecake with strawberry salsa, or the lactose-free Floating Island (a delicious dessert consisting of a light and fluffy meringue floating on vanilla custard) are also good ways to end a meal. We couldn’t resist the soft chocolate mascarpone cream, enveloped on top and bottom by crispy homemade cantuccini biscuits.

Riso is not only a firm believer in Mediterranean cuisine, they also serve Hungarian dishes such as goulash soup, veal stew with rice Bácska-style, and the previously mentioned Pizza Ungherese. Besides the menu, you can also choose from the chef’s offer, which changes every 2-3 weeks. They have a very wide selection of gin, whisky, and cognac, as well as popular Italian drinks such as limoncello and spritzes, and Hungarian wines.

The terrace can be enjoyed all year round. With mainly evergreen plants in the garden, you can immerse yourself in the green surroundings with a delicious lunch or dinner even in bad weather.

The interior offers elegant yet cosy seating with large windows, or more modern booths with leather seats, so you can entertain groups of friends, family lunches, or intimate rendez-vous. It’s no coincidence that the Riso really is a favourite with all ages from young to old. Moreover, it is easily accessible from both Buda Castle and Széll Kálmán tér. After a hearty lunch or dinner, it's worth planning a nice walk in the winding streets and the Castle District.