With the recent gastronomy revolution sweeping across Budapest, many deluxe locales continually open citywide to pamper the taste buds of those who like devouring delicate dishes amid stunning décor. From a French-style epicurean eatery to a wonderful wine bar, we present eight fresh fine-dining locales that elevated Budapest’s gourmet scene this year, and we hope that these splendid hotspots will be around for a long time.
1/8
Baraka Étterem (Closed)
With a selection of exceptional Japanese whiskeys and cognacs, followed by appetizing Asian-influenced snacks like Peking duck or crispy crab, Baraka’s tapas-style treats enchant guests right at the bar. But the real fascination is the restaurant itself, a few steps further in, where the artful Asian cuisine mingles with French and Hungarian elements, offering a seven-course degustation menu, along with delicate à la carte dishes.
2/8
Costes Downtown
Located within central Pest’s newly opened Prestige Hotel Budapest, just a short stroll away from the Chain Bridge and St. Stephen’s Basilica, Costes Downtown continues the uncompromising approach and welcoming spirit that earned global acclaim for its older sister, the Michelin-starred Costes on Budapest’s Ráday Street. A pleasantly understated ambience bears a warm interior design, while the menu features fine regional specialties.
3/8
Elysée Bistro & Kávéház
Modern design blends with vintage elements at Elysée, a historical French-style café at Budapest’s Kossuth Square, overlooking the Hungarian Parliament. Without boasting an expansive selection of meals, the menu features rich flavors, like mushroom consommé with ginger and apple, or chicken breast supreme, garnished with fried celery and lemon. Furthermore, Elysée offers an imposing wine selection to pair with the perfectly prepared meals.
4/8
Émile
Surrounded by a palatial milieu and a spacious garden tucked amid the Buda hills, a tastefully refurbished villa houses Émile, the second deluxe hotspot of the iconic Gerbeaud House in Budapest. Depending on the occasion, the restaurant treats guests with classic Hungarian meals: at the ground-floor counter we find desserts, the gallery is perfect for breakfast, there are spots perfect for a business meeting, and the ground-floor restaurant will please those who enjoy fine dining.
5/8
ESCA
With its unexpected studio-restaurant concept, ESCA is a groundbreaking new hangout in the gastronomy scene of Budapest, providing an intimate setting where the bar and kitchen are blended into each other, giving diners a perfect view of the workings inside the nicely equipped cooking space. The interior’s Scandinavian design radiates a clean and attractive air, while the international menu selection includes French dishes as well as Scandinavian specialties.
6/8
Kollázs
Located within the imposing Art Nouveau building of the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, Kollázs welcomes locals and visitors to the city with its timeless style to stop in for a full meal or just a nice dessert and a glass of fine wine. In addition to functioning as a classic restaurant, they also have a bakery, a cocktail bar, a panoramic terrace, and a grill kitchen, and guests can order stately meals like foie gras terrine, tiger prawns, or homemade sausages.
7/8
Opera Café
Set in the world-famous building of the Hungarian State Opera, this timeless café welcomes guests with a rather dramatic interior design with historic vibes. The Opera Café is reminiscent of traditional coffeehouses from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, with scarlet chairs that stand out amid an overwhelmingly gold-and-black color scheme. Here guests can order traditional meals like beef stew, but the show kitchen also offers Italian pastas and pizzas.
8/8
St. Andrea Wine Bar
Earlier this year, the legendary Eger-based St. Andrea Winery opened a signature hangout here in Budapest’s renovated Eiffel Palace, where the interior design melds modern elements with rural style: the transparent space between the smaller rooms are spiced up with wine barrels, while the lamps are shaped like grapes. The chef’s masterpieces include succulent starters, like a venison burger with shiitake mushroom, and mouthwatering mains.
