A legend reborn
The Gundel Ball aims to reimagine the legendary Gundel restaurant in a contemporary way — blending timeless elegance, shared experiences, and the enduring values of Hungarian hospitality in a modern light. For decades, the walls of the Gundel Restaurant have hosted festive celebrations, cultural evenings, and exclusive gatherings, where gastronomy, music, and society came together in perfect harmony.
The 2026 Gundel Ball evokes the spirit of those iconic evenings — not out of nostalgia, but to revive tradition in a way that reflects today’s world. The aim is to redefine what it means to “go to a ball” in modern times: an event that’s not only about glamour and elegance, but also about connection, shared experiences, and a true sense of community.
From audience to community
Inspired by the success of the summer’s music and dance evenings — and in the spirit of reviving Gundel’s long-standing tradition of community building — the idea of the Gundel Balls was born. As dancer Andrea Keleti recalled about the summer events:
Tickets for the first two events sold out in just a few days, drawing nearly 500 guests to the summer programmes. From 18-year-olds to long-time patrons, several generations were represented, creating a vibrant atmosphere and a true sense of community — with many guests returning each time. The February Ball will mark the culmination of this journey, bringing that same spirit to an even grander stage.
Gábor Nagy , one of the leaders of the Eventrend Group , added:
The idea of the ball was born from the meeting of genuine demand and cherished tradition. This will be an event in Gundel’s history that’s worth talking about — one we created with the intent of starting a new tradition. It perfectly aligns with Eventrend’s vision of reimagining Gundel as a social hub, and with our motto: Gundel belongs to everyone!
An evening among the stars
The motto of the ball – “Among the stars – at the Gundel Ball, everyone can be the star of the evening” – perfectly captures the spirit of the event. The stars symbolise all those who, over the past 130 years, have brought light to Gundel – guests, artists, public figures, and anyone who has ever celebrated within its walls.
The main message of the ball is that elegance is not a status, but a shared experience – an evening where joy, togetherness, and celebration shine as one. Guests will enjoy a seated dinner in the Erzsébet Hall, accompanied by live dance music, while the restaurant transforms into a piano bar led by Imre Rakonczai, offering a buffet-style menu. Down in the wine cellar, the younger crowd will have their own space to dance the night away. Every corner of Gundel will come alive with music, dance, and exquisite flavours, creating a night that truly sparkles among the stars.
The dress code for the Gundel Ball is black tie – elegant evening wear that serves not only as a formal requirement but also as a shared gesture of respect for Gundel and the spirit of the night. The concept behind the ball’s attire is being crafted by stylist Zsolt Ordasi, who envisions a look that is refined yet striking, perfectly complementing the event’s visual identity. At the press presentation, he explained:
A simple, timeless piece — such as a little black cocktail dress — is the perfect choice for the occasion, while men can opt for a classic suit ensemble,” shared Zsolt Ordasi. “Relaxed elegance suits everyone; what truly matters is that it reflects your personality and makes you feel comfortable and confident throughout the evening.
The Gundel Ball is more than just an event – it marks the modern rebirth of a legend. Once the meeting place of Budapest’s social elite, Gundel now brings together gastronomy, culture, and digital innovation in a unique harmony. One of the evening’s most memorable moments will be the digital appearance of Károly Gundel himself, symbolically bridging the past and the present. The ball also carries a spirit of unity and generosity through the “One Ball, One Smile” charity initiative, which will raise funds to provide real, tangible help to those in need.
Blending Károly Gundel’s legacy with the spirit of the modern age
From a gastronomic perspective, the event promises to be just as exceptional — featuring a festive dinner, elegant standing reception, hütte-style bites, and even a champagne and chocolate bar. Multiple musical stages and freely accessible spaces will invite guests to explore and enjoy the atmosphere throughout the venue, from the cellar to the upper floors.
The culinary line-up of the ball is crafted by Corporate Chef András Wolf and Executive Chef Róbert Vérten, who has been part of the Gundel team since 2022. With his extensive international experience, Vérten aims to reinterpret classic Hungarian flavours in a contemporary way, while honouring and carrying forward the rich Gundel culinary tradition.
The buffet menu will showcase an exciting selection of dishes that bring a creative twist to Hungarian classics. Guests can start with delights such as roasted cabbage cream soup made from a special variety of cabbage and served with anchovy toast, or a rich pheasant consommé. Main courses range from grilled pike-perch fillet or vegetable Wellington with mushroom jus to succulent duck breast with marinated cherry sauce and crispy Brussels sprout potato dumplings, or Mangalica pork tenderloin served with Bakony-style dill cottage cheese dumplings. And for dessert, the timeless favourites won’t be missing — Eszterházy cake, Gundel crêpes, Somlói sponge cake, and a pistachio cake with raspberries to round off the evening on a sweet note.
Guests may also opt for a four-course plated dinner menu, available in both meat and vegetarian versions. The selection includes refined dishes such as smoked trout with blini and caviar, or goat cheese pudding with yellow and traditional beetroot served with rye crisps. You can also enjoy a rich mushroom consommé with dumplings filled with mushrooms and marinated tomatoes, or savour a venison loin with caraway-roasted sauerkraut, potato dumplings and bacon jus. For a meat-free option, the vegetable Wellington offers a delicious alternative — and to finish, the evening concludes with indulgent Valrhona chocolate variations.
Those opting for the hütte menu can look forward to a hearty and comforting selection featuring salty Bavarian pretzels, Bavarian cabbage with bacon served in flatbread, Viennese sausages with mustard, and kenyérlángos(a traditional Hungarian flatbread baked in a wood-fired oven and topped with savoury ingredients) topped with either homemade ham or ricotta and marinated tomatoes. To finish on a sweet note, there’s a classic Austrian Kaiserschmarrn served with homemade apricot jam — a perfect winter indulgence.
Alongside the special offerings of the ball, the Gundel Restaurant has also launched a new menu from 10 November, celebrating the flavours of autumn and winter with fresh, seasonal ingredients. While beloved classics like goulash soup, chicken paprikash, and the iconic Gundel crêpe remain, the highlights include apple soup with toasted almonds, venison ragout with forest mushrooms in a blackberry-juniper sauce served with potato croquettes, and a vegan brownie with raspberry and raspberry sorbet. The menu also features gluten-free and vegan options throughout. As Corporate Chef András Wolf explained:
We strived to follow Károly Gundel’s culinary traditions, while ensuring that every dish holds a small element of surprise,” said András Wolf.
Be part of the opening dance at the Gundel Ball!
The opening dance of the Gundel Ball will be performed by young first-time guests, choreographed by Andrea Keleti – symbolising the meeting of tradition and a new generation. Gundel is now looking for young people aged 16 to 25 who would love to learn the Viennese waltz and be part of an elegant, unforgettable evening. In exchange for participation, Gundel provides the ball gown or suit, dance training, and a walking ticket to the event. Applications are open until 20 November, individually or as a pair, by emailing meghivo@gundel.hu.
Several ticket types are available for the Gundel Ball – from walking tickets to the exclusive Diamond package. Tickets available here.
Gundel Restaurant is part of the Eventrend Group, a Hungarian-owned company with more than three decades of experience in operating cafés, restaurants, hotels, and organising events. The group currently oversees 35 projects and employs around 1,200 people. Eventrend is behind some 20 renowned gastronomic ventures, including New York Café, Centrál Café, Spoon The Boat, Főőrség Café, Városliget Café, Séf Asztala, Symbol, and the catering services of Groupama Arena and Müpa Budapest. In addition, the company manages the sales of 79 unique event halls across 24 venues in Budapest, further strengthening its leading role in Hungary’s hospitality scene.
(Cover photo: Molnár Kata)
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