VakVarjú is a beloved restaurant chain serving up delicious Hungarian dishes in multiple locations. Whether it's a family celebration, a romantic evening, or a business meeting, locals know VakVarjú is the place to be. So trust the locals and head to its oldest branch in Újbuda to enjoy eye-catching dishes in a newly revamped, family-friendly setting. With sunlight pouring through large windows, it's the perfect spot to indulge in creative Hungarian cuisine.
The VakVarjú restaurant chain has played a significant role in Budapest's gastronomic scene over the past 15 years. Always putting their guests first, they added a heartwarming touch to the reopening of their oldest restaurant. During construction, a time capsule filled with photos, memories, and even children's drawings from loyal patrons was placed in the newly refurbished restaurant.
"I grew up in Újbuda, and to this day I am still tied to it, but it is much more than that. Our guests are the most important thing to us, they are all regulars! We always wonder how we can please them. Nowadays, going to a restaurant is not cheap, so we try even harder to make every moment we spend here a celebration," said owner and managing director Rudolf Semsei at the opening of the restaurant.
Buda charm, modern look
Earlier this year, VakVarjú Buda reopened its doors to welcome more than 150 people. The good news is that while the restaurant has undergone a complete renovation and has been renewed from the ground up, the warm cosiness, Buda charm, food style, and prices have not changed.
Stepping inside, a wave of pleasantness washes over you. The expansive space feels airy, bathed in natural light, thanks to the enormous glass windows that frame a calming vista of the wooded surroundings. Playful pops of colour dance across the walls, while the invitingly soft, quilted chairs and armchairs practically beckon you to sink in and unwind.
We visited the refurbished restaurant on a casual Friday, but the place was packed with diners shortly after opening at noon. Business meetings, family celebrations, a large party in a private room, families and couples for lunch, it seems that there is a place for everyone. The tech upgrade isn't just for show. Chef Róbert Urbán and his team are now working wonders in a spectacular, state-of-the-art kitchen, enjoying a much more comfortable and efficient workspace. But the benefits extend beyond the kitchen doors – guests are treated to a glimpse into the culinary magic happening behind the scenes, adding a touch of intrigue to the dining experience.
When piano music fills the air
Everyone will find the right place in the restaurant, whether it's the modern atmosphere or the bourgeois ambience of Újbuda. The special wallpapered walls give each room a different feel: some are reminiscent of Victorian England, others of the 1920s. The mood is further enhanced by live piano music in the evenings.
Thanks to the separable spaces, VakVarjú Buda is perfect for small or large family celebrations, company dinners, team-building, or other events. Little ones will be entertained in the revamped indoor play area, and soon, the outdoor playground will be ready for playtime adventures. Weekends even offer supervised fun with a babysitter on hand, allowing parents to relax and savour a casual, delicious meal.
Creative food, delicious drinks
"We put a lot of effort into making our flavours special, yet easy to understand. Shortly, we want to organise more gastronomic programmes, linked to our soon-to-be-launched loyalty card programme. And once the weather is nice, our guests will be able to enjoy the huge terrace, where they can relax and enjoy the sunshine while sampling the delicious dishes and carefully selected drinks," explained Rudolf Semsei.
The menu is renewed twice a year, with the spring-summer menu coming soon, but some popular dishes never change. The chef's offerings will soon be available at the restaurant, changing every 4-6 weeks.
We kicked off the tasting with an appetizer, a dish called VakVarjú's dip selection, which features three dips, with Transylvanian eggplant cream, beetroot hummus, and goat cheese cream with walnut, all accompanied by fresh, crispy homemade focaccia thanks to Dobay Confectionery and Bakery. A feast for the eyes and the palate, this colourful starter (perfect for 2-3 people to share) is an explosion of flavour that will have you eager for the next course. We ordered a homemade lavender lemonade on the side, which does not only sound but also tastes dazzling.
Our soup choice was the garlic cream, not only because it's one of our favourites, but it comes with spinach ravioli and is available exclusively at VakVarjú Buda. It's a meat-free, vegan dish, but there are also lactose and gluten-free options on the menu, and you can choose a free-from-all all option for dessert.
For mains, we ordered the Pressed chicken “Bakony” style, coming with roasted shiitake mushrooms and a special garnish of ewe's cheesy potato noodles in a crispy coat. The flavours were divine, but the colourful plating tantalized us – we had to try it immediately! We also sampled the butter-fried pork tenderloin medallions covered in parmesan crumbs, served with sun-dried tomato-mascarpone cheesy rice, and basil-tomato sauce.
The desserts included the classic cottage cheese dumpling, which came with macaroon-flavoured sour cream, but we also sampled the free-from-all blueberry cheesecake, also by Dobay Confectionery.
VakVarjú's drinks menu is also superb, with a wide selection of shots and the best of Hungarian wines, a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails to choose from, as well as an impressive selection of G&T. With the cooler weather still on the horizon, they also offer warm drinks from the VakVarjú Winter Mood selection – the warm Plum & Clove Lemonade is not to be missed! Of course, you can round off your meal with a fine coffee, but there is also a large variety of matcha drinks available – the special mango matcha latte is definitely worth a try.
Craving a modern yet cosy atmosphere? VakVarjú Buda is the answer! Enjoy delicious food, friendly service, and an experience that goes beyond a meal – all at an unbeatable value. Head over and see for yourself! Reservations recommended – secure your table here.
CONTACT DETAILS
VakVarjú Buda
1116 Budapest, Érem utca 2.
(Cover photo: Gábor Szabó - We Love Budapest)
