If you live in Budapest and are about to host a Christmas party, or spending the festive season here but prefer the cosy comfort of your holiday rental, these restaurants have you covered. Their festive dishes can be delivered straight to your door, giving you more time for the fun stuff and less time in the kitchen. These Christmas menus are a great way to serve high-quality Hungarian classics, like hearty stuffed cabbage, delicate fish dishes, and traditional desserts such as bejgli (poppy seed or walnut rolls). Feeling adventurous? You'll also find unique creations to spice things up. With so many options, there's something to delight every palate and give you a true taste of Hungary's festive flavours.
Costes
Costes Catering brings the taste of a classic Christmas dinner straight to your home with their festive two-person package. The five-course menu features Hungarian holiday favourites like rich fisherman's soup made with Akasztó carp (with optional extras like noodles and fish roe), oven-baked stuffed cabbage served with sourdough bread, and confit duck leg paired with braised red cabbage and mashed potatoes. There’s also turkey breast stuffed with prunes and wrapped in bacon, accompanied by jasmine rice. For dessert, enjoy a cranberry cheesecake with salted caramel sauce. The dishes arrive vacuum-sealed in labelled containers within eco-friendly paper bags, complete with clear instructions on reheating and serving. Orders should be placed at least three days in advance via email at sales@costes.group, and are confirmed with a 100% deposit. The price is HUF 39,000 plus a delivery fee. Pickup is also available daily at Lupa Event Hall from 10 am to 3 pm until 24th December, but scheduling your pickup time in advance is required.
For details, email sales@costes.group!
KIOSK Budapest
KIOSK Budapest promises an unforgettable Christmas with its takeaway holiday dishes and gourmet gift sets. Their crowd-favourite festive meals are available in larger portions for groups or scaled down for two, making it easy to enjoy the season without the stress. The menu features classics like fisherman's soup, stuffed cabbage (offered in both traditional and vegan versions), whole roast duck, baby turkey, and mangalica pork loin. Their gift boxes are packed with KIOSK specialities, such as eggnog and snow crescent cookies, guaranteed to impress anyone. All items are available exclusively through pre-order on their webshop, with collection at KIOSK between 20th and 24th December.
Details here.
Séf Asztala
You can also spend Christmas the easy way with Séf Asztala's festive menu!This year, they've prepared a selection of classic holiday treats that you can pre-order or find in limited quantities in-store. Choose from traditional Hungarian sweets like bejgli (poppy seed or walnut rolls), zserbó and chocolate-filled babka, braided brioche, or a sourdough country loaf. Their menu also includes all the festive staples to make your Christmas dinner stress-free. Tuck into fisherman's soup made with carp, stuffed cabbage, catfish paprikash with curd cheese dumplings, roasted duck leg served with mashed potatoes and braised red cabbage, or creamy potato and cabbage salads. Orders are open until 18th December and can be placed via their website, by email at info@sefasztala.hu, or in person at their Kossuth tér Deli • Cafe • Bakery. Pick-ups will be available on 23rd December, from 9 am to 6 pm at Kossuth tér. As a plus, they've also got a special selection of treats for New Year's celebrations – perfect for starting 2025 on a delicious note!
Details here.
Fakanál
Located in the gallery of the iconic Great Market Hall at Fővám tér, Fakanál Restaurant offers a festive menu featuring Hungarian classics perfect for your Christmas table. Their Christmas specials include carp fisherman's soup and stuffed cabbage, made traditionally with sauerkraut, pork, smoked bacon, and smoked hock. The fish soup is only available on special order for the occasion. To place your order, contact them by phone at +36 1 217-7860 or by email at info@fakanaletterem.hu. Orders can be picked up on 23rd December directly from the restaurant. While you're in the area, why not take the opportunity to pick up some last-minute ingredients or festive food gifts at the market? If you're hungry after your shopping, Fakanál Restaurant is the perfect spot to enjoy a warm, hearty meal before heading home.
Details here.
VakVarjú
VakVarjú is a beloved restaurant group, with several units across town. The chefs are already working tirelessly to prepare a selection of delicious festive dishes. Alongside traditional flavours, there are some surprising combinations to enjoy. You'll find everything from the classic carp fisherman's soup, grey catfish soup, and confit duck leg to Colosvar stuffed cabbage and smoked pork hock served with beetroot-horseradish cream and fermented cucumber relish. For sweet treats, the Dobay Cukrászda, also part of the same group, will ensure your festive cravings are satisfied. Their iconic walnut, poppy seed, and chestnut-plum bejgli, homemade honey cream cake, traditional zserbó with almonds and plums, and chocolate-apricot and walnut babkas are sure to be the stars of the Christmas table. Orders can be made online until 12 pm on 18th December, exclusively through the designated website. You can pick up your order in person at your chosen VakVarjú restaurant on 23rd December between 10 am - 8 pm.
Spago Budapest
If you're about to host a party (with at leas 8 people), the expert culinary team at Spago Budapest is ready to bring a gourmet turkey dinner to your festive table. The feast begins with a roasted butternut squash soup, followed by a whole slow-roasted Norfolk bronze turkey weighing around 7-8 kg. The juicy bird is accompanied by creamy ratte potato purée, sautéed vegetables with crispy bacon, braised red cabbage with apples and mulled wine, and, of course, a traditional, spiced stuffing. For the perfect flavour balance, cranberry sauce and roasted turkeygravy complete the dish. The meal is finished off with a special homemade pie, available in three flavours: apple, pumpkin, or pecan. This offering is available between 21-26December. Orders must be placed at least 72 hours in advance by calling +36 70 534 9000 or emailing festive@matildpalace.com. Pickup is available at a pre-arranged time between 2 pm and 6 pm.
Details here.
Strudel House
Whether you’re a fan of sweet or savoury, Strudel House (Rétesház) near the Basilica has the perfect homemade strudel for you, making them a must-have for any festive table. You can now order these delicious strudels in a magical blue and gold holiday gift box, featuring classic flavours such as poppy seed, sour cherry, curd, and the festive zserbó (Hungarian nut and apricot strudel). They make for an excellent gift, with options available in packs of 3, 6, 10, or 20 pieces. The great news is that you can skip the queues by ordering online during opening hours. Simply place your order, and in 4 hours, you’ll receive an email notification when your package is ready for pickup at the store. Plus, on your way, you can easily swing by some of the city’s most beautiful Christmas markets.
Details here.
Fekete Holló
If you'd prefer to leave the holiday preparations to Fekete Holló, they're ready with a magnificent, traditional festive menu full of comforting home-style flavours. You can enjoy these dishes right at the restaurant, which is open every day, including 24th and 31stDecember, from 11 am onwards. It's a good idea to reserve a table here. Their Christmas menu includes classics such as Bajai fish soup with noodles, carp fillet, and fish roe, roast duck leg with braised cabbage and onion mashed potatoes, and oven-baked stuffed cabbage with sour cream. For dessert, they offer the delightful zserbó with a peach compote.
You can also enjoy a New Year's Eve menu here, which features indulgent dishes like Hungarian sauerkraut soup with smoked sausage, lentil stew with fried egg or sausage, crispy roast pork knuckle on a bed of sauerkraut with roasted potatoes, and apple strudel with vanilla sauce.
Details here.
Szakállas Medve
If you'd go for something laidback but professional, let Szakállas Medve ('Bearded Bear') handle the cooking! Their festive menu offers a mix of Transylvanian specialities and classic holiday dishes. You'll find favourites like stuffed cabbage and their signature fish soup, as well as three types of bejgli (poppy seed, walnut, and chestnut). Their menu also includes both cold and hot platters. The cold platter features zakuska (a vegetable spread), aubergine cream, French salad, devilled eggs, horseradish ham rolls, Csabai pork loin, cheese rolls stuffed with curd cheese spread, and mini meatballs. The Medve hot platter includes Transylvanian mici, breaded chicken breast, roasted duck leg, grilled goat cheese, sides like braised cabbage, onion mashed potatoes, and the indispensable zakuska. Orders can be placed at the restaurant or by phone (+36 30 729 1979) until 20th December, with pick-up available only on 23rd December from 9 am to 7 pm at their cosy location next to ELTE Botanical Gardens.
Details here.
Pasarét Bistro
At Pasarét Bistro, in an elegant neighbourhood up in the Buda Hills, you can enjoy their Christmas menu on their cosy, covered terrace or order it to savour at home. Highlights include their iconic stuffed cabbage, jellied pork, carp fish soup with noodles, crispy duck leg with braised red cabbage and mashed potatoes, and duck liver baked in its own fat. A standout item this year is the Beef Wellington kit (which serves at least two), which allows you to finish cooking this elegant dish in your own kitchen, following their step-by-step recipe. For dessert, don't miss the season's favourite, plum jam-filled dumplings, served with cinnamon sour cream. For last-minute beverage shopping, they've got you covered with a pop-up selection of wines and bubbles at great prices. All orders can be picked up on 23rd December, accompanied by a complimentary glass of prosecco in the bistro garden. For New Year's, Pasarét Bisztró will also offer a takeaway menu, available soon on their website.
Details here.
Manna Restaurant
Manna Restaurant's team, under the guidance of award-winning chef Károly Medvei (a winner in the Dining City restaurant competition's 'Premium Category'), has crafted a fantastic festive menu. Lovers of traditional dishes will find delights such as catfish fish soup, stuffed cabbage with grilled Debrecen sausage, and pork aspic. For those looking for lighter options, there's a selection including salmon tartare, orange-flavoured chicken, or a fragrant cinnamon-vegetablecurry served with multigrain couscous. Orders can be placed online, and you can either pick up your Christmas meal in person on 23rd December from 12 pm to 4 pm at the restaurant or opt for home delivery within Budapest for 2,000 HUF between 10 am and 4 pm.
Details here.
(Cover photo: Spago)
