Budapest Blog

One of the most popular spa baths in Budapest is Gellert Baths, the renovation of which has been partially finished this April, according to index.hu, Hungarian news portal.

The reconstructions works (1.5 billion HUF) are challenging as the art deco style of the baths built in 1917 need to be preserved. During the renovation period, the separate male and female thermal bath units were functioning in a co-ed style, but in a couple of weeks, you will not need to wear swimming costumes, the old apron system will come back.

After the second world war, there was not enough money to reconstruct more expensive art deco elements, so several details were simply replaced by cheaper socialist style solutions. The 2007-2008 baths reconstructions have brought back the glory of the 1917 secessionist Gellert Baths. Enjoy!

Photo by Istvan Huszti from Index.hu (http://index.hu/gal/?dir=0804/kult/gellert/)

Museum Cafe and Restaurant (Múzeum Étterem) is right next to the National Museum in the city center. The reputable restaurant also recommended by the Michelin Guide for Budapest Restaurants was established in 1885. So that’s why its name is also Museum. The large wall painting, the mural has been made by one of the national celebrity painters of the 19th century, Karoly Lotz. The wine list is quite long featuring many of the 22 Hungarian wine regions. Saturday only lunch specials are recommended if you want to taste something Hungarian in an old-style Hungarian restaurant.

Address: Múzeum krt. 12. Budapest 8th district 1088
Phone: 00-36-1-338-4221
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12:00- 24:00 (Sundays closed)
Note: after 7pm booking a table is a good idea (even though the restaurant seats 120+40). World-renowned Hungarian Zsolnay porcelain is used for serving. Closed on Sundays.
Getting here:

• metro (red line) Astoria station, then a few minute walk or (blue line) Kálvin tér station then a few min walk on Múzeum krt.
• trams/ streetcars: number 47 or 49
• buses: number 9 or 15

See the location of Museum Cafe and Restaurant on the Budapest Tourist Map (check the knife and fork map icon in the middle, and click on the icons to learn more about the neighboring places of interest or click on the View Larger Map blue link under the map). Notice that Museum Cafe and Restaurant is only a few steps from the National Museum (entrance is free!), and is also very close to the old Jewish district with the Grand Synagogue (Moorish-Byzantine neolog synagogue), as well as the beautiful Pushkin Film Theater (Puskin Mozi). The Reformed Church on Kálvin tér or the Franciscan Church on Ferenciek tere are about 5-10 min walk to Muzeum Restaurant.

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Alabardos Restaurant (Alabardos Etterem), which is located in a nice old Gothic building from the 15th century, is only a few steps from the Gothic Matthias Church and the panoramic ramparts on top of the Castle hill called Fishermen’s Bastion. Alabardos Etterem is recommended by the Budapest Michelin guide. The restaurant has a terrace and a garden besides the internal rooms, which are all decorated in a style that combines medieval memorabilia, walls, colors with 19th century refurbishment. “The atmosphere inside is hushed and elegant, although slightly pretentious. They appreciate “appropriately” dressed guests at this conservative establishment” (Frommer’s travel guide, New York Times). Wine selection is assisted by a sommelier. World-famous Zsolnay and Herend porcelains are used for dining.

Address: Országház utca 2, Budapest 1014
Phone: 00-36-1-356-0851
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 19:00.-23:00, Sat: 12:00-16:00 and 19:00-23:00 (Closed on Sunday)
Note: Closed on Sunday. Music: live classical music and guitar solos (unobtrusive). Booking in advance is recommended. Attire: preferably formal.

Getting here:

• bus: Várbusz (minibus leaving from Moszkva tér metro station) or Bus number 16 from Deák tér metro station
• Funicular from Adam Clark square at the Chain Bridge, then turn right and walk towards the Matthias church tower

See the location of Alabardos Restaurant on the Budapest Tourist map (check the knife and fork map icon in the middle, and click on the icons to learn more about the neighboring places of interest). Notice that Alabardos Restaurant is in the Castle District on top of the Castle Hill (Varhegy), very close to the Matthias Church, the Fishermen’s Bastion, the Hungarian House of Wines, the historical little confectioner’s Cafe Ruszwurm, and of course the Royal Palace itself with its numerous exhibitions.

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Gundel Budapest (also mistakenly called Gundels or Grundel Restaurant) is a has grown a solid term over the last decades in Hungary. Gundel Restaurant (Gundel Etterem) bears aristocratic majesty in its several rooms with antique furniture, walls, glasswork, etc. Although the well-known restaurant is recommended by the Budapest Michelin guide, so far no stars have been give to it (strangely enough, not to any of the restaurants in the former Eastern block behind the iron curtain).

As the New York Times’ Frommer’s travel guide writes: “Budapest’s fanciest and most famous restaurant, Gundel was reopened in 1992 under the auspices of the well-known restaurateur George Lang, owner of New York’s Café des Artistes. The Hungarian-born Lang, author of The Cuisine of Hungary, and his partner Ronald Lauder, son of Estée Lauder and a one-time New York gubernatorial candidate, spared no effort in attempting to re-create the original splendor for which Gundel, founded in 1894, achieved its international reputation.”

Sunday brunches, which change their theme every week, are quite affordable for 5800 HUF (there’s a 50% discount for children under 15, while it’s free under 5)

Address: Állatkerti út 2. Budapest 1146 (14th district)
Phone: 00-36-1-468-4040
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 12:00-16:00 and 18:30-24:00, Colonnade Bar: 09:00-24:00, Sunday Brunch: 11:30-15:00
Note: Book a table in advance. Celebs are frequent, pets are not allowed (nor celeb dogs as the cross-section). Attire: formal (jackets in the evenings are obligatory). House specialties are smoked gooseliver, lamb, wild-game entrees, Gundel pancake dessert (Gundel palacsinta) with chocolate, ground walnut, etc.

Getting here:

• metro (yellow underground line) at Hosok tere station
• trolley bus: number 72, get off at either Szondi utca or Állatkert stop (the restaurant is about halfway between the two stops)

See the location of Gundel Restaurant on the Budapest Tourist Map (check the knife and fork map icon in the middle, and click on the icons to learn more about the neighboring places of interest or click on the View Larger Map blue link under the map). Notice that Gundel Restaurant is close to the Museum of Fine Arts, the Hall of Arts and the Millennial Monument on Heroes’ Square. The restaurant is practically neighboring the Art Deco ZOO, as well as the Budapest Circus and is fairly close to the Szechenyi Baths at the City Park, and the House of Horror museum on Andrassy avenue.

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And this is the Salon of Gundel Budapest:

Nice, isn’t it?

Mokka Cafe and Restaurant is one of the restaurants in Budapest recommended by Michelin guide. Its style is trendy-elegant ‘ethno-eclectic’ combining African-Mediterranean colors and elements. But it’s also ethno-eclectic in its cuisine in a sense that the restaurant is striving to create its own Mokka versions of international and Hungarian dishes with a modern flair. Sommelier helps you to pick wines. Pricey.

Address: Sas utca 4., Budapest 1051
Phone: 00-36-1-328-0081
Opening hours: (lunch and dinner) Mon-Sun 12:00-24:00
Getting here:

• metro (all lines) Deák tér station
• tram/streetcar: number 2,

See the location of Mokka Cafe and Restaurant on the Budapest Tourist Map (check the knife and fork map icon in the middle, and click on the icons to learn more about the neighboring places of interest or click on the View Larger Map blue link under the map). Notice that Mokka Cafe and Restaurant is very close to the Parliament, the Basilica and Roosevelt square with the Chain Bridge & the Gresham Palace or Hotel Sofitel.

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photo from diningout