High-quality wine bars are slowly spreading all over Budapest, many of which are especially inviting during summertime. All of the wine-sipping spots that we recommend here are suitable for both lazy late-night chats over a good bottle, and for consciously tasting different types in small quantities to learn more about the qualities and characteristics of various wine regions. Considering the blazing heat in Budapest, we rounded up 10+1 havens of precious liquid that always please, such as a riverside venue, a bar in the party district, and a shaded spot under the trees of Buda, too.

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It is an always winning option to order a lighter, fruity Sauvignon Blanc, or a mineral-rich Furmint on sizzling summer nights, followed by an elegant Pinot Noir, and finishing up with a wider, fruity New World wine. During the colder months it feels nice to get cozy amid the red-brick walls of many wine bars, but in the summer it is even better to sit outside on the terrace with friends and watch as the sinking sun paints wonderful colors on the evening sky. And in case you fall in love with the right wine, at these bars you can buy bottles to go.

1/10

KisBécs (Closed)

1126 Budapest, Németvölgyi út 36-38.

A wine bar, wine store, café, sandwich spot, and salad bar; if we add that it is adjacent to a flower shop, it is absolutely understandable why this hidden terrace hangout and mini-store became a perfect meeting spot. This locale focuses on the wines of Austria, featuring bottles from all the significant wine regions of the country, so if you like the aroma of Austrian wines you’ll definitely find something to your liking here. It is possible to enjoy breakfasts and lunches here as well, amid a lovely environment; the warm colors of turquoise and brown boost your mood inside, while the adjacent flower shop’s blossoms and plants, and the silent and soothing atmosphere of Buda, bring the experience of wine tasting to perfection.

Wine recommendation: It is worthwhile to taste a Grüner Veltliner, or on a cooler evening a St. Laurent from Umathum.

2/10

ETAP Deli & Night

1077 Budapest, Király utca 43-45.

Etap has been one of the most significant spots among the wine bar selection of Király Street for a while now. Amid the brick walls we find countless seats, so it’s no wonder why the place fills up entirely on Friday nights. Visitors can taste 100 types of Hungarian wine in three different quantities here: 0.5 dl, 1.5 dl, or in a bottle – their prices are displayed accordingly. Besides some popular brands, they also feature wines from almost-famous smaller manufacturers, as Etap puts great focus on lesser-known wineries and the products of organic cellars. Among the tapas assortment, we recommend the tasty hams, olives, capers, and artichoke, and manly men will also appreciate the homemade liver spread and the homemade pork cheese. The ingredients of the meals all come from small Hungarian producers, and their newest crowd-puller is the breakfast selection. Among the classic breakfasts we find omlettes and sausages, but we can also try the salmon bagel paired up with champagne. From Wednesday to Saturday, live jazz tunes entertain wine tasters, and in the near future they plan to hold guitar nights on the terrace. For those who prefer other alcoholic treats, they serve exciting wine cocktails, champagnes, and craft beers.

Wine recommendation: Rajnai Riesling from Villa Tolnay in Balaton, or Nomád from Szeleshát Cellar in Szekszárd.

3/10

Innio Restaurant & Bar (Closed)

1051 Budapest, Október 6. utca 9.

Innio is one of the city’s most professional wine bars, enhanced with an expert staff and a spacious terrace. Many foreign wines are found on the wine list, but they would mostly like to present the European assortment, and since there’s a great demand for local liquids, they expand the Hungarian selection simultaneously. Going through the whole assortment could easily take ten minutes, so it is recommended to ask for assistance, as the sommeliers always have something up their sleeve. They offer about 300 types of wine, and lead a new-wave bistro kitchen with Hungarian roots, shaken up with Australian, Californian, and Scandinavian inspirations. Their lamb ravioli won the Gault & Millau Guide’s prize for “best meal of the year”. Visitors can also try their tasty tapas to pair more meals with their wines. The prices here are a little above average.

Wine recommendation: A dry Tokaj Furmint, such as the Szent Tamás Dongó from 2013, (2,000 HUF/0.15 l) followed by a Pinot Noir from Burgundy (for example, one from Chanson).

4/10

Palack – the friendly

1114 Budapest, Szent Gellért tér 3.
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This hangout on awaits everyone with a pleasant panorama, live music, and a friendly staff amid an eclectic design. Their wine selection stretches from cheaper options to high-cost kinds; the wines are listed according to regions, with a price indicated per bottle. Among the foreign assortment we find wines from Transylvania, Argentina, New Zealand, South Africa, and France. Palack also entices visitors with music nights. It is also worth checking out their big brother, the larger and more exclusive 0,75 Wine Bar – found by the – where wine lovers can even try director Francis Ford Coppola’s 2014 Chardonnay. As foretold by the posters hung on the wall, Palack’s food selection features homemade hams and cold cuts, but guests can also order plates for two, grilled sausages, duck-liver patés, paninis, and wraps.

Wine recommendation: The Heimann Family’s Birtokbor, or Bence Pince’s Riesling from Szent György Hill is always a good choice.

5/10

SzalonSpicc

1024 Budapest, Lövőház utca 17.

Szalonspicc moved to Lövőház Street from Hűvösvölgy four years ago, and now is one of the quintessential hangouts of Buda. Many Hungarian wines are found among the assortment here, but they do not lack foreign champagne either. The inside area is better left for the winter, as in the summer it is more pleasant to sit outside on the terrace, where we can admire the speedily flying swifts amid the rooftops, kids playing football, or lovers on a date at the nearby benches. Wines in a 1.5 dl quantity start at 890 forints, and besides the many Hungarian options we also find foreign wines and champagnes on the list as well. They change their selection every season, so visitors can always choose adequately. According to the staff, at the moment guests mainly look for Hungarian wines, but many people are open to foreign options, and try to taste consciously, with much curiosity. Besides the beverages, visitors can try tortillas, tapas, dips, Spicc burgers, goat cheese, and chicken burgers.

Wine recommendation: An exciting choice is Laposa’s Kéknyelű (Blue Stalk) from Badacsony, which is made of the region’s special grape.

6/10

Apropó (Closed)

1077 Budapest, Király utca 39.

This wine haven was established by two “gastropapas”, as the gigantic “papa” inscription on the wall suggests. The interior of the bar is stylish, and the letters of the logo were inspired by the arches found inside. The large doors of this hangout can all be opened, so from springtime through autumn, guests are basically inside and outside at the same time. They also have huge window seats, so everything is given for Friday-night hipster gatherings. On their wine list the empty little icon stands for white wines, gray is for rosé, and black means red wines, so guests can choose accordingly, while considering the wine regions, too. From their snack selection we recommend the blue oyster that comes with homemade bread and two types of sauce. Apropó always provides a cozy place to hang out – how apropos!

Wine recommendation: Benedek Cellar’s Epreskert 2015 Sauvignon Blanc from Mátra, or Szatmári Cellar’s special 2011 Vulcanus, but Mr. Liszkay’s Giulia (Cabernet franc) is always a good choice.

7/10

Vino Piano – the artisanal explorer

1094 Budapest, Tűzoltó utca 22.
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This popup terrace is part of the Élesztő complex, standing on the courtyard of an old apartment building. The tall willow trees of the garden provide cozy shade for wining. The terrace selection of VinoPiano is distinct from that of an ordinary wine bar, as it features a cleaner and more understandable assortment; fresh whites, rosés, and sparkling wines. Guests can choose from the selection of six wine regions, but as an alcohol-free alternative, they also offer homemade syrups and lemonades. Different wine experts pop in every week – generally not even known by the organizers – to present their own products. It is a must to try the place’s tapas, as the owner, Balázs Vajas, who was previously the chef of a Michelin-starred restaurant, goes to the market every morning to gather the freshest ingredients. They offer citrus crackling creams, patés, cheese creams, marinated mushrooms, and seasonally, asparagus. In case you get too intoxicated by the sunshine (or the wine), you can check out their basement to cool down. It is important to mention that VinoPiano is significantly cheaper than the other wine venues, so you can taste up to ten types of wine for only 2,000 forints – but this is not the only reason why we love VinoPiano.

Wine recommendation: Let yourself be surprised, and try the product of a pop-up expert, or Toronyi’s Kékfrankos.

8/10

D.O.C. Vino Bar – the dashing Italian

1051 Budapest, Arany János utca 12.
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Arany János Street in now almost stands as Budapest’s “little Italy”, because thanks to the work of Hungary-based Italian restaurateur Gianni Annoni, we don’t even have to leave the street for an exciting progressive party of culinary experiences. Besides his ice-cream shop and his restaurant, the friendly wine bar – named D.O.C., after the Italian quality-assurance label – is always a good choice when we crave Italian tastes, too. Guests can enjoy their wine sitting on turquoise chair pads at the tiny wooden tables in the leafy shade while watching people passing by. Stepping inside, we face the inviting “ciao amici” sign on the wall, and our eyes admire posters of different kinds of grapes, and the corks of opened bottles; similarly to the terrace, a turquoise theme dominates the decorations. The staff is friendly, helpful, and professional, and when you visit, it is worthwhile to try one of their Tuscan or Umbrian wines, that both come with a box of chips for snacks.

Wine recommendation: Among the white-wine assortment, Roccafiore Cellar’s Fiordaliso is a must, while from the red selection, Argiolas Cellar’s Perdera, made of Monica grapes, never disappoints.

9/10

CsendesTárs – the romantic

1053 Budapest, Magyar utca 18.
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This romantic terrace is really popular in Budapest, as it is right next to the entrance of one of the most picturesque parks of Budapest: Károlyi Kert. The wine selection is characterized by the products of less exceptional, but reliable and well-known producers. After a delightful walk in the dazzling Károlyi Garden, we can catch our breath on the terrace, and sip on a tasty wine from the selection.

Wine recommendation: Figula Cellar’s 2015 Zenit from Balatonfüred.