When the most romantic day of the year arrives, Budapest’s pulsating urban scene slowly morphs into a passion-filled playground, where starry-eyed couples strive to get the best booking in the city’s hottest hangouts. With its ever-increasing popularity here in Hungary, Valentine’s Day now marks a significant celebration in the Magyar metropolis, with numerous restaurants offering multiple-course meals to those who wish to get on board the love train. We showcase some of the city’s most tasteful ways to celebrate this amorous occasion.
1/16
Apropó
As a recent addition to Budapest’s most romantic wine bars, this cozy locale for luscious libations and tapas came up with something extraordinary to enchant couples on Valentine’s Day: pairs who make a booking at Apropó can not only sample a fine selection of aromatic Hungarian wines from the local Csetvei Winery, but they can also splash their love on canvas by joining a passionate painting session right on the premises, with all creative tools provided by the bar.
When: 14 February, 5pm-7:30pm
Price: 12,500 forints
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2/16
Baraka Étterem (Closed)
Indulge in a fascinating fine-dining experience amid sophisticated settings at Baraka, located just steps away from the city’s buzzing . The extravagant eatery pampers lovebirds with a four-course dinner, serving a sensual tasting menu of European-Asian fusion cuisine, including such delicacies as mazzancole shrimp with scallop mousseline ravioli or foie-gras raspberry bon bon with cocoa brioche, all accompanied by seductive cocktails and select wines.
When: 14 February, from 5pm
Price: 18,900 forints (28,800 forints with wine pairing)
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3/16
Bestia
Whether you bring along the love of your life, your mum, your dad, a soulmate, or a granny, this rock ’n’ roll hangout awaits everyone at their Valentine’s Day blowout, just a stone’s throw away from the iconic in central Pest. As of press time the restaurant hasn’t shared a fixed menu yet, but we are sure that they will cook up something irresistibly appetizing. Expect to get cuddled by a staff member if you show up at the place by yourself.
When: 14 February, from 12pm
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4/16
Corso Restaurant
With sweeping vistas over and the , the panorama of the riverside Corso Restaurant found directly on the is as stunning as the restaurant’s meals. The splendid scenery is only heightened by the eatery’s candlelit Valentine’s Day dinner, featuring delectable bites like citrus-marinated salmon with wasabi mayonnaise, oysters gratin, and pan-seared moulard duck breast, followed by a succulent dessert specialty. Guests can enhance all of the heavenly courses with matching wines.
When: 14 February
Price: 16,000 forints (27,000 forints with wine pairing)
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5/16
Émile
If you like Budapest’s legendary , you will fall in love with Émile, the legendary confectionery’s second restaurant, housed in a tastefully refurbished villa tucked away in the Buda Hills. Celebrating the romantic occasion throughout the Valentine’s Day weekend, the restaurant treats couples with luscious lunch and dinner menus featuring seafood and meat specialties such as oysters and duck breast with beetroot and hibiscus, while all courses are accompanied by fine wines.
When: 13-14 February
Price: 19,000 forints (including matching wines, mineral water, and coffee)
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6/16
Fat Mo's
Embark on an underground journey on Valentine’s Day and find a little downtown escape in a cavernous basement within Budapest’s District V. Behind its secretive wooden door, Fat Mo’s serves up an incredible selection of beverages, including Hungarian wines and artisanal beers that are best employed to chase down the eatery’s signature steaks, tasteful fajitas, or any of the chef’s offers. For this special occasion, the restaurant prepares a pecan-infused brownie with cinnamon mousse and red berries, and they throw a double-concert bash both on Saturday and Sunday night, with all of these exclusive features ensuring that ladies and gentlemen have a blast together.
When: 13-14 February
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7/16
Gundel
Guests can immerse in a royal treat from Friday through Sunday this week, as the iconic Gundel Restaurant in Budapest’s offers romantic moments and creatively named dishes to those who long to celebrate love amid a historic ambience: “The First Rendezvous” is an elixir of pheasant with stuffed morel, “The First Kiss” stands for foie gras risotto with Port wine reduction, while the “Fulfillment of Love” is a raspberry heart with strawberry sauce and dried rose petals.
When: 12-14 February, 7pm each day
Price: 11,500 forints (14,900 forints with matching wines)
8/16
Halászbástya Étterem
Delight in the magnificent scenery over the Danube and the Pest skyline before immersing into your partner’s sparkling eyes at the Halászbástya Restaurant, located in a postcard-superstar environment within . A special Valentine’s Day menu accompanied by a varied wine list is dedicated to this special night, including poached cod with green peas and morel mushroom, or chocolate-pistachio cake with coffee and mandarin sorbet. During the night, a romantic violin concert contributes to the unforgettable evening on top of Budapest.
When: 14 February, from 6pm
Price: from 21,000 forints
9/16
Jardinette
Lovebirds enjoy a romantic getaway throughout the weekend amid Jardinette’s bright winter garden, found in the charming Buda Hills, as a special Valentine’s Day treat includes melodic live music, an adorable love-letter service, multiple-course meals, and additional little surprises. The menu includes honey-infused pumpkin soup with zucchini balls and pumpkinseed oil, or grilled duck liver with balsamic strawberry ragout and almond-apple puree, among other specialties.
When: 12-14 February
10/16
Kollázs
Pamper your taste buds with fine delicacies within the incredible Art Nouveau building of the , where a fine blend of love and elegance mingles in the air. Whether you come with your partner or parents, the timeless elegance of the place enchants everyon, and it’s rivaled in grandeur only by those little extra touches that add to the flair of this lovely day, like the opening of a pop-up flower store on the premises, the professional calligraphist who transmits your emotions onto paper, or the live mood music.
When: 14 February, 12pm-3pm and 6pm-10pm
Price: lunch – 11,500 forints, dinner – 25,000 forints
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11/16
Nobu
Cupid paid a visit to this exclusive Asian eatery in downtown Budapest’s District V, filling its stylish setting with lovely vibes: Nobu offers guests a special fish-infused dinner, featuring such delicacies as sea-bass ceviche, quinoa-crusted shrimp, or foie gras tempura and truffle teriyaki, all this amid an impressive atmosphere. Sipping on Nobu’s creative cocktail concoctions just adds to the temptation, while a pianist plays live tunes in the background to provide merry moments for guests.
When: 14 February, 7pm
Price: 20,000 forints
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12/16
Paris Budapest Restaurant
Just steps away from Budapest’s landmark , the panoramic Paris Budapest Restaurant in the welcomes loving couples with fine bites inspired by passion-filled French cuisine. The allure begins right upon arrival with a welcome glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne and canapés, then continues with white champignon cream soup with a hint of truffle, and goes on with home-cured Scottish salmon, and scrumptious sweets conclude the meal.
When: 14 February, 7pm-10pm
Price: 21,000 forints (incl. 5-course menu, matching wines, water, and coffee or tea)
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13/16
Spoon
It’s hard to find a more impressive location in Budapest then this deluxe restaurant boat docked in the Danube near the iconic . If you manage to score a table near the oversized panoramic windows, you and your sweetie will enjoy some of the city’s most attractive vistas, encompassing the and . Dive into passionate pleasures by eating your way through the vegetarian or carnivorous menus, presenting dishes like the celery miso with cauliflower, chicken breast supreme, or beetroot tartar.
When: 14 February
Price: 14,000 forints
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14/16
Trattoria Toscana
Spend some moments under the Tuscan sun without leaving Budapest by savoring some of Hungary’s best Italian cuisine on Friday and Saturday in the riverfront Trattoria Toscana. The menu is prepared with serious amore, and offers such dishes as a seafood platter, conchiglione pasta stuffed with salmon and ricotta, and red berries crumble with bourbon vanilla sauce, while the palatable platefuls are paired with perfect Italian wines.
When: 12-13 February
Price: 9,990 forints
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15/16
Vogue Boat
Even those who don’t want to fork out hefty sums to prove their love on this passion-filled day can eat and drink amid a romantic environment on board the Vogue Boat, anchored near between the and the Árpád Bridge. For three nights in a row, guests are served affordable gastronomic treats in three acts, including smoked trout with beetroot and basil, guinea fowl supreme with celery cream, and the Dutch Valentine chocolate surprise. During the evening, live jazz tunes spice up the scene.
When: 12-14 February
Price: 5,900 forints
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16/16
ZONA
Relive the excitement of your first date with the one close to your heart in this chic bistro, found just a few steps away from the on the city’s Buda side. Rumor has that the chef is in love, and as a result he is sporting a pink outfit on Valentine’s Day. This progressive restaurant is a perfect choice for those who like to dine and wine in a contemporary setting while sampling mouthwatering meals like marinated tuna with avocado and wasabi ice cream, Australian steak with tortellini, or fried carrots with honey.
When: 14 February, 6pm
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