The Budapest gastronomic map has recently been enriched by a very special item – courtesy of 21 Restaurant. Bear stew (yes, you read it right) is a real delicacy, an authentic Transylvanian dish – exclusively available at this restaurant in Hungary (seasonally). The rich flavours of bear meat resemble venison and beef. For game meat lovers, it’s a must!

Traditional Hungarian cuisine with a modern twist

Located in the elegant Buda Castle neighbourhood, in Fortuna utca, 21 Restaurant is renowned for its modern atmosphere and traditional cuisine brought into the 21st century. To preserve the fundamentals of classic Hungarian cuisine, all ingredients come from original sources and are presented in a new, modern way.

All that is done with a just the right amount of playfulness, which has been a key part of the restaurant’s concept for 15 years. 21 Restaurant is a place where people like to eat a bit more, talk a little louder, and taste a bit more wine. The restaurant’s name can be interpreted in several ways. The number 21 can refer to the restaurant’s address (Fortuna utca 21), the 21st century, or the card game of the same name.

No matter how you interpret the name of the place, 21 Restaurant is the spot where you can taste timeless Hungarian culinary favourites, like Goulash soup with noodles and sourdough bread or chicken paprikash with buttered dumplings, as well as seasonal specialities and unique game dishes. You can rest assured that all will be handled with the utmost care and professionalism here.

Seasonality is also reflected in the restaurant’s excellent wine list, which features exclusively Hungarian wines, and the best ones at that. The wines you can taste here are difficult or impossible to find elsewhere, so savour every sip.

Bear meat straight from Transylvania

The chef of 21 Restaurant, Róbert Horváth, places great emphasis on seasonality in addition to the high-quality ingredients brought from original sources. That’s why bear stew is only on the menu seasonally, not all year round. It’s available when bear meat finds its way into Róbert’s kitchen. But not just any bear meat, only quality meat coming from official sources, with permits, straight from Berke’s team in Ivo, Transylvania.

Bear meat first popped up on the menu at 21 Restaurant in 2024 and quickly became a popular delicacy among guests who appreciate exclusive dishes. It’s a real curiosity!

Bear stew with crispy goose cracklings and mashed potato

Bear meat is red in color with a burgundy hue, very stringy, and fattier than typical game meat. It has a strong, gamey flavour, most similar to venison.

The bear meat arrives boneless and minimally processed into the capable hands of the chef at 21 Restaurant, who prepares it like a classic game stew. As he says, the best ingredient needs no unnecessary frills: it’s best served in simplicity. 

The meat is cooked until tender with high-quality dry red wine, and its flavour is enhanced by juniper berries and bay leaves, giving the stew its deep, distinctive taste. It is served with mashed potatoes mixed with finely chopped, crispy goose cracklings.

(Cover photo: 21 Restaurant)

21 Magyar Vendéglő

1014 Budapest, Fortuna utca 21.
The 21 Restaurant is located in the Buda Castle. Despite the limestone walls, dark-wood furniture and traditional table settings, this place exudes a modernity thanks to its creative dishes.

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