where to eat & drink
ARANY KAVIAR
Attila Molnar presides over this upscale Buda restaurant with the feel of a fin de siècle Russian salon. The elegant interior is perfect for a romantic interlude.
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moKKA
The Mokka Restaurant has a trendy-elegant ‘ethno-eclectic’ style combining African-Mediterranean colours and elements. However, it is 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.
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DIO
The atmosphere of the restaurant is characterized by the harmony of contrasts – Hungarian folk motives merged with a clear modern design. This harmony is supplemented by specialties of the Hungarian cuisine, representing traditional and popular dishes in a modern style and form rich in fantasy
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Costes
Costes has become the first restaurant in Hungary to be awarded the coveted Michelin Star. The restaurant, which has been unwavering in its pursuit of quality, has effectively achieved its goal of becoming Budapest's highest quality fine-dining establishment with the gaining of a single Michelin Star for the second time in a row in 2011.
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Rezkakas
The Rezkakas, located in the heart of Budapest, has become one of the most distinctive and elegant restaurants in the Hungarian capital city. The menu is characterised by traditional Hungarian cuisine, prepared from excellent, traditional ingredients to reflect both authentic Hungarian tastes, and modern gastronomic requirements.
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TIGRIS
Close to the Basilica, in the center of town, this is a wonderful gem with great Hungarian food and impeccable service. Excellent wine recommendations and fair prices.
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Dunapark
Located next to Szent István Park, the Dunapark has all the noisy, busy atmosphere of a café. The spacious, sun-lit interior provides the perfect setting to enjoy your coffee, lunch or dinner in comfortable armchairs or at bistro tables. The elegant thirties interior combines modern minimalism with classic café design, and sitting by the large Bauhaus windows, you feel you are on a terrace, whether they are open from spring onwards or closed in the cold seasons.
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dÉRYNÉ BISTRO
The 1950s-era nostalgia café has recently undergone a thorough modernizing, offering classic Hungarian-continental cuisine in a lounge atmosphere with live piano and jazz music on most afternoons and evenings.
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Onyx
One of Budapest’s most exceptional restaurants, offering a unique experience coupled with an extraordinary interior design. Tradition-based gourmet cuisine is prepared from the best, select fresh ingredients. It is for those gourmands who not only enjoy distinctive foods, but who seek time-honored flavors as well. On 16th March 2011 Onyx Restaurant received the first Michelin Star and became Hungary's second-ever Michelin Star restaurant.
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CafÉ KOR
Just behind the Basilica of St Stephen, the 'Circle Cafe' is a great place for a light meal at any time, including late breakfast. Salads, desserts and daily specials are always recommended, and there are also more ambitious three/four-course wine-tasting menus.
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Bock bistro
If you could transport the quintessential Parisian bistro to Budapest, with Hungarian, not French food and wine, it would be the Bock Bistro. Lajos Biro is one of the most creative chefs in Hungary, sometimes pairing diverse ingredients into a harmonious whole, and sometimes taking staples of the Magyar kitchen and recreating them with homemade ingredients that make one realize the special appeal of authentic Hungarian cuisine.
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RObinson
The Mediterranean restaurant, situated at one of the nicest parts of town near Heroes’ Square, on an island in the City Park Lake, offers an ideal location for either a business lunch or a candlelit romantic dinner. Visitors to the terrace will be drawn into the surrounding landscape of budding trees or falling leaves.
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Nobu
Nobu Budapest is one of the latest addition to Chef Nobu Matsuhisa's worldwide dining empire, conveniently located in the very heart of Budapest. The first Central-European member of the rapidly growing family welcomes guests with 80-seats including a private room and the sushi bar –an indispensable feature of all the NOBU restaurants world-wide. The Nobu Lounge Bar with 40 seats accommodates guests with separate menu card and a wide Nobu signature cocktail selection.
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Menza
This upmarket Hungarian restaurant on Budapest's most lively square takes its name from the Hungarian word for a drab school canteen - though it is anything but. Book a table; it's fabulously stylish and always packed with diners who come for the simple but perfectly cooked Hungarian classics with a modern spin.
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tom&george
Well situated in the heart of downtown, Tom-George is Budapest's answer to urban chic. The spacious bar blends blonde wood and wicker, giving the interior a relaxed yet sophisticated feel. Evenings find a young and stylish crowd choosing from the extensive cocktail menu. Minimalism at the table, though, belies exotic creativity in the kitchen.
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where to shop
preshaz winestore
Preshaz Winestore was founded by the Banki family in 1998 and since then it is probably the most exciting and reliable wine store in Budapest. The aim is simple: to have the best wines of the country in the store.
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Cheese shop of tamas t nagy
The shop is conveniently located in the city center. You can find an outstanding ensemble of Hungarian and international cheeses, particulary French. Although Hungary is less renowned for cheese, look out for the excellent local goat cheese.
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herend brand store
The Gerend Porcelain Manuactory is one of the world's largest ceramic factories, specializing in luxury hand painted and gilded porcelain. Founded in 1826, Herend is part of the Hungarian Heritage. Herendi figurines and dinnerware are perfect decorative object to illuminate your home.
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Tamas naray boutique
One of Hungary's most successful fashion designers is undoubtedly Tamas Naray who, to many people, comes across as an uncompromising perfectionist. Are you looking for unique clothes, shoes, bags and accessories that match your personality? This is your ultimate stop.
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pick salami store
Not only has Pick salami become an internationally renowned product since 1869, but it's also a protected Hungarian brand. Its reputation is due to its amazing taste and consistently high level of quality which is partially enchanced by the mystery surrounding the salami: its recipe is still a closely-guarded secret.
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Falk miksa street
More than 50 antique shops and galleries of all size and content with treasures of carious styles and age (and price tag) - paintings, furniture, jewellery, textiles, ceramics and glass, folk art... all that is the world of Falk Miksa street and its surroundings. Let us take you to another world, regardless whether you are a serious collector, just window shopping or looking for that little something to take home.
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Szamos marzipan
The cuisine is mainly Hungarian style, The traditional tastes are created using state-of-the-art kitchen technology. Resisting the passing fashions, the interior reflects turn-of-the-century style, just like a fancy bistro. 5 minutes walk.
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Tisza shoes
Tisza is a 100% Hungarian sneaker brand that existed in the Communist era and has made a resurgence in recent years as a hip new fashion brand in our country. The locally produced shoes in playful colors and designs are featured on the company's web site.
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Great market hall
Also known as the 'Pantry of Budapest.' You can choose from a huge selection of bread and meat, fruit and vegetables as well as Hungarian specialities such as Tokaji wine, salami, red paprika and Unicum. Handmade tablecloths, painted boxes and traditional embroidery are the best buys among the handcrafts.
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Vass shoes
For a luxurious indulgence, why not consider a pair of handmade leather shoes, specifically measured to your feet? You can choose from a variety of traditional styles and leathers, from cordovan to nubuck. Through being expensive compared to ready-made shoes, prices are more favourable here compared to Western Europe or overseas.
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Andrassy avenue
Andrassy Avenue is an iconic boulevard in Budapest dating back to 1872. Lined with spectacular Neo-renaissance mansions and townhouses featuring fine facades and interiors, it was recognised as a World Heritage Site in 2002. It is alo one of Budapest's main shopping streets, with fine cafes, restaurants, theatres and luxury boutiques.
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fashion street
On Fashion Street and in the nearby Vörösmarty Square you will find today's trendiest fashion brands (Hugo Boss, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, and Benetton) in a romantically elegant environment. If you're not in the market for this kind of purchase, you can still enjox wandering the street and admiring the elaborate window displays.
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CAPRICE DIAMOND CULTURE
The artist city of Szentendre has been the first location in Europe where Caprice International opened its diamond jewelry center, offering visitors an experience unparalleled in its kind. For your free transfer please, contact the Concierge desk of the Hotel.
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Westend city centre
In 2000, WestEnd City Center opened its doors; it’s considered to be one of the largest shopping malls in central Europe, with approximately 400 shops offering a good variety of products. The ground floor features a lovely one storey fountain that was donated by Canada. A good spot to take a rest after shopping is at the café in the open-air garden roof terrace. In the winter it transforms into a magical ice skating rink.
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EcSeri Flea Market
A visit to this long-established traditional flea market is a great day out. Literally you can find anything at this busy flea market - from the glorious to the kitsch, old soda siphons to antique violins, and more. The best day to visit is Saturday morning. As a foreigner, you may be overcharged, so prepare to haggle: it's part of the flea market experience.
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WHAT TO PACK
Slippers
If you are planning to visit thermal baths or spas in Budapest, do not forget to bring a pair of slippers made from rubber.
ADAPTER AND/OR TRANSFORMER
Voltage in Hungary is 220 volts, and plugs are of the two-pin continental type.
HUNGARIAN FORINT
We recommend that you change at least some money enough to cover airport incidentals and transportation to the Hotel before leaving from home, so as to avoid unpleasant queues in front of the ATMs at the airport. Please note some restaurants and hotels accept Hungarian Forint as well as Euro..
medicine
Don’t forget to pack your basic medicine or make a list of them in case you need a prescription. The nearest pharmacy is located just behind the Hotel..
chargers
Have you already checked whether the chargers of your electrical gadgets (mobile phone, laptop, camera, video recorder, iPod, etc.) are already packed in your suitcase?.
DID YOU KNOW?
VITAMIN C
Albert Szentgyörgyi, a Hungarian scientist, discovered Vitamin C.
DESTROYING THE BERLIN WALL
Hungary played a leading role in bringing down the Berlin Wall by allowing East German refugees to cross the Iron Curtain in 1989.
HUNGARIAN NAMES
Hungarian names are written backwards: the family name is written first and the first name comes at the end.
MILLENNIUM UNDERGROUND RAILWAY
The first underground line on continental Europe – the Millennium Underground Railway or Metro line 1 – was built in Budapest in 1896. It was the third in the world after New York and London.
HUNGARIAN FORINT
We recommend changing at least some money – enough to cover airport incidentals and transportation to the hotel – before leaving home, so as to avoid unpleasant lines at the airport ATMs.
HUNGARIAN FORINT
We recommend changing at least some money – enough to cover airport incidentals and transportation to the hotel – before leaving home, so as to avoid unpleasant lines at the airport ATMs.
local culture
CLINKING beer GLASSES
After defeating the Hungarian revolution in 1849, Austrian generals clinked their beer glasses to celebrate their victory. Hungarians made a pledge not to clink glasses for 150 years when drinking beer. That period is over now, but most of the Hungarians still don’t clink beer glasses.
TIPPING
Budapest is a tipping city. It is customary to tip 10 percent all service providers. Not tipping indicates you received poor service.
Weather
In general, winters in Hungary are cold, cloudy and damp or windy, and summers are warm - sometimes extremely hot. July and August are the hottest months (average temperature 26 degrees Celsius) and January the coldest (-4 degrees Celsius). The number of hours of sunshine averages between 1900 and 2500 a year - among the highest in Europe. The average annual precipitation is about 650mm.
diet
Hungarian cuisine is known to be heavy for foreigners, but the new reform cuisine offers mouth-watering low-cholesterol dishes made from the meat of mangalica and grey cattle. Palinka – the delicious Hungarian fruit brandy is usually served after meal and sipped from small glasses, a process said to aid digestion..
Language
You may find some handy expressions as follows: “Jó reggelt!” (Good morning), “Jó napot!” (Good afternoon), “Jó estét!” (Good evening), “Hogy vagy?” (How are you doing?).
discover
Hospital in the rock
A truly unique, historical site, which was built out of the cave system beneath the Buda Castle during the 2nd World War. One of the largest waxwork exhibitions of the world on over 2300 sqm awaits the visitors to complete this immersive historical journey.
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RiverRide Tour
RiverRide is an exclusive 2-hour sightseeing tour during which you can see the sights of Budapest from a comfortable seat, first along its busy streets and then, from one second to the next you splash into the lapping water of the Danube River.
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Memento Park
Memento Park is a unique museum of Budapest including Statue Park with monumental statues from Hungary's Communist period (1949-1989). In the open air museum you can see the statues of Lenin, Marx and Engels, as well as Hungarian Communist leaders.
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Szechenyi Thermal Bath
The largest thermal bath of Budapest featuring neo-baroque style was built in 1913. It is a vast complex of indoor and outdoor pools, the premier medicinal bath of Pest, situated in the middle of the City Park.
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Luxury boat service
The water limousine service operated by Dunarama is a brand new practice on the Danube. It can board 10 passengers; there is a closed cabin and an open platform as well. The exterior is covered by mahogany and the interior is stylish, matching the whole appearance of the boat. There are leather seats, mahogany boxes and a mini bar that is complete with quality music and drinking champagne.
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Margaret Island
Margaret Island, a pedestrianised recreational island in the middle of the Danube River has long been a welcoming green oasis in the heart of Budapest. The island is very popular for local people, especially during weekends.
Telephone Museum
The Telephone Museum is especially popular with kids due to the many interactive displays. Seeing the huge desk of the switchboard operator and comparing it to today's mobile phone technology really illustrates what has been achieved in the past years.
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Palace of Wonders
The Palace of Wonders is not a museum, not an exhibition, school nor a playhouse or a covered theme park. However, some features of all of these can be found in it. The visitors may play with the equipments shown, experiment with them, learn of the laws of nature, and realize how wonderful our world is.
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House of Terror
House of Terror offers exhibits related to the fascist and communist dictatorial regimes in the 20th century and is also a memorial to the victims of these regimes, including those detained, interrogated, tortured or killed in the building.
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Hungarian National Museum
The oldest and largest public collection in Hungary presents the history of country. The Museum is well worth a look since it’s Hungary’s most beautiful classicist building. The Museum Gardens offer an excellent opportunity for a stroll and a rest.
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Hungarian National Gallery
The Hungarian National Gallery was founded in 1957 to present the rise and development of the fine arts in Hungary. The Gallery moved to its present location, the former Royal Palace of Buda, in 1975.
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Museum of Applied Arts
The building was inaugurated in 1896 by Franz Joseph, Austro-Hungarian Emperor and King of Hungary, as part of the Millennium Celebrations. The roof is covered with Hungarian folk-art motifs, made from green and gold ceramic tiles by Zsolnay Porcelain.
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Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts Budapest is regarded as one of Europe's most significant institutions. The versatility of its permanent exhibitions, its historical continuity, and the wide array of masterpieces has made it a truly unique establishment.
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House of Hungarian Secession
One of the city’s finest private houses in the Art Nouveau style was opened in 1903. The real attraction of the House of the Hungarian Secession is the personal note of the exhibition, which distinguishes it from the uniform feel of many large museums.
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House of Parliament
Budapest's magnificent neo-Gothic Parliament building is the home of the Holy Hungarian Crown. Your guide will lead you through the splendid Session Room, the impressive central staircase and the wonderful Great Vaulted Hall.
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LOTUS DRIVING ACADEMY
The road is clear and the mid-mounted engine roars behind you as you flick through the close-ratio gears, aim the nose at the apex of an unravelling corner, and feel the grip and responsiveness of Lotus' hottest, track-readied sports cars. There are no speed limits here. You're now a member of the Lotus Driving Academy.
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my perfect day
morning
Start your day in the pantry of Budapest, the Great Market Hall which is within easy reach of the Hotel. You may either stroll along Váci utca or hop on the tram Nr 2 which has a stop just in front of us. Try lángos which is a deep fried flat bread made of potato-based dough. It’s sometimes rubbed with garlic or garlic butter, but can also be eaten with sour cream, grated cheese, or other toppings. Once you explored the world of Hungaricums, the traditional products of our country we suggest using the tram Nr 2 one the way back, so that you can enjoy the stunning views over the Danube to the Buda side. After walking over the Chain Bridge, take the funicular to climb up to the Royal Palace. This district offers a decent selection of attractions to be discovered. For lunch, I recommend the Déryné Bistro, which is situated close to the Tunnel and offers a variety of areas within the restaurant to choose from to suit your mood.
afternoon
Across the Déryné Restraurant catch the bus Nr 105 with which you can reach quickly Andrássy út, the iconic boulevard of Budapest dating back to 1872. It is also one of city’s main shopping streets, with fine cafés, restaurants, theatres and luxury boutiques. At 3 pm don’t miss the insider tour at the Opera House. After visiting this magnificent neo-Renaissance building take the Millennium underground until the Heroes’ Square where you can splash into the medical water of the Szechenyi Thermal Bath.
Evening
Coming back from the Szechenyi Bath, take the Millennium underground again until Oktogon. Liszt Ferenc tér is only a few steps away, which is a hip place for locals to hang out. You can find almost everything from drink bars through cafés to restaurants. For supper, visit Menza which is a fabulously stylish restaurant and it’s always packed with diners who come for the simple but perfectly cooked Hungarian classics with a modern spin. If you are in the mood of dancing, Ötkert, a trendy ruin bar is awaiting you close to the St. Stephen’s Basilica.
