If you live in Budapest or find yourself here for the holidays and cooking up a 4-course menu isn't your forté, fear not! A stress-free Christmas is still on the cards. Discover 5 amazing spots where you can effortlessly order a classic Hungarian feast or a festive international menu, making your holiday season a breeze.
No matter where you live, the highlight of the holiday is always the abundance of festive food - best to be shared with family or friends. If you go the Hungarian way: it's stuffed cabbage, authentic fisherman's soup, or confit duck leg. If you prefer American or British traditions, a special Christmas turkey with delicious stuffing and gravy or maybe Wellington beef tenderloin will be laid on the table. The good news is that whichever you choose, you can save the cooking and place an order instead. We have rounded up restaurants that offer excellent and beautifully presented holiday dishes for takeaway. Of course, Christmas desserts and sweets are also included, so there's no need to worry about baking either. Orders can usually be picked up at the restaurants on December 23rd, and some places even offer home delivery.
Spago Budapest
Wolfgang Puck, the star of Beverly Hills' culinary and social scene, brought his renowned Spago restaurant to Budapest two years ago. His local team presents a professional holiday menu that ensures a memorable Christmas lunch or dinner. The star of the takeaway Christmas feast is a 4–6 kg slow-roasted Norfolk bronze turkey, accompanied by creamy ratte potato puree, bacon-infused sautéed vegetables, and mulled wine-infused braised red cabbage. The stuffing features a traditional-spiced version, generously coated with cranberry sauce and gravy. For starters, they offer a roasted chestnut-sage wild mushroom soup with crispy, sourdough croutons, and for dessert, apple, pumpkin, or pecan pies. The menu serves 6–8 people, providing a delightful Christmas dinner experience, available for ordering from December 15th to December 27th.
Placing an order: +36 70 534 9000 or festive@matildpalace.com (72 hours before pick-up)
More details here.
WLB tip: You can also book a table at Spago to enjoy a special Christmas or New Year's menu on the site.
Pasarét Bisztró
In the residential area of the Buda Hills, you can sample the festive menu of Pasarét Bisztró on the cosy, covered terrace or order it for home. The menu includes their iconic stuffed cabbage, aspic, carp fisherman's soup with 'matchstick' noodles, crispy duck leg with braised red cabbage and mashed potatoes, or duck liver fried in its fat. This year, the home-cooked version of Wellington beef tenderloin is also available for pre-order (for a minimum of 2 people), allowing you to bake it in your own kitchen based on the provided recipe. Don't miss out on one of winter's favourite desserts, the homemade plum jam dumplings served with cinnamon sour cream. They've also thought of guests who like giving toasts: if you've left wine and champagne shopping to the last minute, you can take advantage of their pop-up selection at a favourable price for your festive table. The ordered dishes can be picked up on December 23rd, accompanied by a glass of prosecco, in the bistro's garden.
Placing an order: on the Hungarian website here , on the phone, or on the spot
More details here (Hungarian-only).
WLB tip: Before ordering, you can even sample the festive menu at the bistro. Also, keep an eye out for their New Year's takeaway menu!
VakVarjú restaurants
VakVarjú is a lovely chain of restaurants with kids' corners and hearty meals. The kitchen is now working at full steam to prepare delicious dishes for the Christmas table. You'll find surprising combinations in the takeaway menu alongside classic Hungarian flavours. That's why the VakVarjú's holiday menu features traditional Advent fisherman's soups with carp and catfish, confit duck leg, and Cluj-style stuffed cabbage, as well as smoked ham hock aspic with beetroot horseradish cream and fermented cucumber relish. Sweet delights are in abundance as well: walnut, poppy seed, chestnut-dried plum bejgli, homemade honey cream cakes, Gerbeaud slices, stollen bread, and chocolate-pistachio babka are guaranteed to become the stars of the Christmas table. The dishes can be picked up on December 23rd from 10:00 to 20:00 at 3 locations: VakVarjú Újlipót – District 13, Bessenyei utca 4–6; VakVarjú Csónakház – District 20, Vízisport utca 12–18; VakVarjú Buda – District 11, Érem utca 2. Delivery is not available.
Placing an order: Place your order online (the website is Hungarian-only), by midday on December 18th.
More details here.
WLB-tipp: You can indulge in their special holiday menu at the restaurants as well (works brilliantly for gatherings, even with children). And if you are looking for a food-related gift for someone, VakVarjú offer vouchers, too.
Manna
Manna Restaurant and its team, led by Chef Karoly Medvei, winner of the Dining City restaurant competition's 'Premium category' award, have rafted a fantastic holiday menu. If you like traditional Hungarian food, you will be spoiled with options, from catfish soup to stuffed cabbage served with roasted Debrecen sausage and pork aspic. For those seeking a lighter lunch or dinner, choices like salmon tartare, orange chicken, or cinnamon-vegetable curry are available, accompanied by multi-seed couscous. The Christmas menu can be picked up at the restaurant on December 23rd, between 12 pm and 4 pm, or you can opt for home delivery within Budapest for a fee of HUF 1500, with delivery taking place between 10 am and 4 pm.
Placing an order: here (Hungarian-only) or +3620 9999 188
More details here.
WLB tip: On Saturday and Sunday (12 pm - 4 pm), Manna awaits with hearty meals and a classic dish from a specific nation. While parents sample those, little ones can play at the kids' corner.
Pick Bistro & Deli
PICK Bistro & Deli opened its doors in 2022 on Kossuth Lajos tér, continuing the story and tradition of one of Hungary's most well-known brands in the former sample shop location. The Christmas menu features dishes such as carp fisherman's soup, crispy pork with steamed purple cabbage and mashed potatoes, crispy duck leg with steamed purple cabbage, stuffed cabbage with smoked meat and sausage, Wellington beef tenderloin, duck liver pâté with homemade bread and red onion jam, as well as homemade plum jam tart with cinnamon sour cream. These dishes, along with the deli's offerings, can be ordered for home delivery.
Placing an order: here
More details here.
WLB tip: Live music awaits on Friday evenings.
(Cover photo: Getty Images)
