Challenging yourself in an escape room is simply a must when in Budapest. And Neverland is a great place to do just that. But the spot offers more than solving puzzles in the city's 7th district. After unlocking mysteries, you can linger in this enchanting space, indulging in the pizza bar's unique creations and expertly crafted cocktails. Like the adventure rooms, the food and drinks are extravagant, exciting, and full of surprises.
Since its 2018 opening on Dohány utca with five escape rooms, Neverland has expanded to eight, plus a cigar room and an event space accommodating up to 150 people. The latest addition is the pizza bar, where state-of-the-art technology brings a wild twist to Neapolitan pizza. Complementing this culinary adventure is a cocktail menu inspired by the seven deadly sins.
Sourdough pizza
The pizza's foundation is a sourdough named Barbara from Southern Italy. The perfect dough is achieved with volcanic water, Italian flour, specialized equipment, and a Pizzarella stretching machine.
Owner Josep Zara emphasizes the dough's 48-hour fermentation process and the choice between white and whole grain varieties incorporating rye flour and heirloom grains. The result is a pizza that truly reflects his passion.
This dough requires quality toppings
The quality of the dough is only as good as its toppings, so careful attention is paid to every ingredient. While classic options like Marinara, Margherita, four-cheese, or Bianca are available, Neverland has developed a range of signature pizzas.
Tomato-based varieties feature San Marzano tomato sauce, while 'white' pizzas use fior di latte. All pizzas are finished with olive oil and a generous sprinkling of 36-month aged Parmesan.
Josep, the owner, is passionate about sourcing the finest ingredients. The olive oil, for example, comes from a Catalonian producer. He regularly visits Italy to discover new suppliers and farms, ensuring the highest quality produce for Neverland's pizzas.
Beyond the classic options, the signature pizzas are truly exceptional. The truffle and burrata pizzas, in particular, are
MUST-TRIES FOR ANY PIZZA AFICIONADO.
The latter is a rich and indulgent combination of ricotta, burrata, toasted Sicilian pistachios, and pesto, offering a delightful mix of textures and flavours.
The truffle pizza, with its whole grain crust, tomato base, and a medley of truffles, cardoncelli mushrooms, and dried tomatoes, is a symphony of earthy flavours. Unlike the other pizzas, it's finished with sage oil rather than olive oil, and the addition of bresaola ham and truffle salt creates a truly unforgettable taste experience.
Other standout pizzas include the Mangalica, topped with Mangalica ribs, sheep curds, black garlic, and pickled purple onion, and the shredded duck leg pizza with fig chutney and kumquat caramel. Each pizza is cooked to perfection in just two minutes in the rotating oven.
Main courses and desserts
Beyond pizza, the menu is divided into light (starters) and substantial (casserole dishes) options. Lighter dishes include a refreshing beef tartare with rosemary mayo, tomato jam, capers, and egg yolk cream, served with fresh pizza bread. The Foie Gras Ganache with seasonal jam, pistachio, basil, and homemade brioche is a decadent choice for a luxurious start. A unique salad featuring roasted beetroot, goat cheese mousse, truffle oil, toasted almonds, and optional gravlax salmon offers a lighter yet flavourful option. Alternatively, indulge in the generous Hungarian Treats platter, perfect for sharing, which includes a selection of cured meats, cheeses, olives, pickled onions, homemade jam, and essential pizza bread.
For something more substantial, the oven-baked lasagne with Hungarian spotted beef, piquant tomato salsa, and crispy pig ears is a hearty and flavourful option. Alternatively, the homemade spinach lasagne with black garlic pasta, gravlax salmon, and sesame seeds offers a lighter yet equally satisfying main course.
To complete the meal, the oven-baked sourdough Golden Dumplings, a traditional Hungarian dessert, are already a popular choice despite the restaurant's recent opening. These sweet and buttery delights are layered with a sugar-nut mixture before baking to golden perfection. For a truly exceptional dessert experience, try the tonka bean-citrus-cardamom creation, which offers a sophisticated and comforting flavour combination.
Sumptuous cocktails inspired by the seven deadly sins
The cocktail menu is inspired by the seven deadly sins,
EACH DRINK OFFERING A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF FLAVOURS AND PRESENTATION.
The Sloth, a playful and intriguing concoction, arrives in a glass tube with a miniature calf, combining clove-herbal gin and rum-based orange liqueur for a smooth and creamy taste.
The Lust, presented in a curvaceous glass, embodies desire with its combination of Icelandic honey gin, citrus liqueur, Nepalese pepper, and rooibos tea, topped with a tantalising cherry-truffle mousse.
The Envy, hidden within a Russian Matryoshka doll, reveals a vibrant yellow cocktail infused with tequila, vanilla, coconut, orange, lime, and a touch of saffron liqueur, creating an unexpected and delightful flavour profile.
Neverland's commitment to innovation extends beyond the menu. A 1920s-themed bar is in the pipeline, adding another dimension to the already dynamic space. With escape rooms, exceptional food and drinks, and a unique atmosphere, Neverland is the perfect venue for parties, team-building events, and corporate gatherings, accommodating up to 150 guests.
(Cover photo: Ladóczki Balázs – We Love Budapest)
nightlife
Neverland Bar & Escape Room
Budapest’s entertainment complex on Dohány utca awaits guests with five high-tech escape games, delicious pizzas and cretaive cocktails.
