With four days (22–25 May), over thirty new exhibitors, and more than two hundred dishes, this year's MBH Bank Gourmet Festival is shaping up to be the best one yet. Set in the leafy surroundings of Millenáris on the Buda side, the festival welcomes food lovers, curious culinary explorers, and mindful hedonists alike. This year, it opens its gates a little earlier – on Thursday afternoon, 22 May – giving guests a head start on this open-air, walk-around tasting event packed with exciting new flavours and drinks. The main theme? Favourites.
With nearly 100 exhibitors – including 30 newcomers – and more than 200 items on the festival menu, you can look forward to a seemingly endless variety of drinks and dishes. There'll even be wallet-friendly options, with budget dishes priced under 2,500 HUF.
Newcomers
This year's newcomers include BiBo Budapest, brought to the festival by world-renowned chef Dani García, and Ypsilon, the soon-to-open lakeside restaurant from Jenő Rácz. Also joining are Fiktív, known for its food and wine pairings; Teyföl from Szentendre; and returning favourites like the Michelin-starred Essencia and Szaletly, celebrated for its contemporary Hungarian cuisine.
Asian flavours will be well represented, with first-time appearances by Ramenka, Quí, Sáo, Tokio, and Monokini Kantin – the Buda-based sister of Arquitecto Pitpit, led by chef Ádám Garai. Lebanese specialities will be on offer from Leila's, and classic Hungarian pasta dishes come courtesy of Cvekedli Tésztabár from Nyíregyháza.
Beyond the restaurants
In addition to the restaurants, there will also be gourmet delicacies and a selection of exotic fruits. One of the ambassadors of the Gourmet Festival, chef Szilárd Tóth, will be represented through Szatmár Dry Cured, the brand he founded. Visitors can sample exotic fruits at Pilpel Hungary, while the dessert selection will be enriched by chocoMe and Gelateria Pomo D′Oro. Alongside both new and established wineries and the beer offering, this year's festival will also feature a strong line-up of non-alcoholic drinks, aimed at Generation Z. Expect Mayer syrups and fermented beverages by the other Gourmet ambassador, Fruzsina Farkas (the Green Sommelier).
Workshops
From Friday afternoon to Sunday evening, Gourmet Academy hosts free workshops and presentations for anyone keen to learn, taste, and be entertained. And yes – tastings are included! Chefs such as István Akács (Pajta, 1 Michelin star), Dávid Rózsa (1910 Gourmet by Hausers, Switzerland, 1 Michelin star), Szilárd Tóth (SALT, 1 Michelin star), and István Pesti (Platán, 2 Michelin stars) will be showcasing their skills. Check out the full program here.
Children's Day
This year, the final day of the festival falls on Children's Day, so the spotlight will be on the little ones, with various workshops, activity stations, and a playground planned especially for them. On 25 May, entry will be free for anyone under the age of 18.
Details and tickets here.
(Cover photo: Attila Ozse - Gourmet Festival)
