During my latest visit to Hungary, I organized the usual tour in the capital to spend some time with my friends and visit nice places where we can share some culinary pleasures. I love that some of my friends are regular visitors to these walks and others freshly joined this recent event.
I think this selection I've made for this event is pretty strong again, but feel free to read the experiences of the previous gastro adventures here.
Briós Café
16 Pozsonyi Street, Budapest, 1137
My visit to Briós was life-changing.
We all chose different delicious breakfasts like those American pancakes with maple syrup, but my favorite was the stuffed French toast. Hungarian cuisine has a French toast-like breakfast dish, but we deep fry it, which results in an oily mess. I've never tried a non-deep fried one before, so this experience truly changed my life and since then I make my Monte Cristo sandwiches in a hot pan on a little butter only.
Monte Cristo Sandwiches At Briós Café - Photo by © Reka Csulak
American Pancakes At Briós Café - Photo by © Reka Csulak
Szimpla Piac
Szimpla Kert, 14 Kazinczy Street, Budapest 1075
Budapest is famous for its 'ruin bars and pubs' and Szimpla Kert is one of the most unique places to represent this form of art. Did you know they organize a market every Sunday? In the past couple of years, the range of entrepreneurs and farmers whose stalls you can find there is continuously expanding. They became a little family, and this friendly feeling is filling up the rooms and aisles among the old walls. You can find veggies and fruits, spices, meat, cheese, sauces and oils, honey, and preserves from selected, trustworthy sources.
If I'd live in Budapest again, this would be one of my favorite places to visit every weekend. The society of the market is organizing the "Közös Lábos" -or shared pot- event, where a selected organization cooks a dish you can enjoy in exchange for a donation to support their noble goals.
Szimpla Piac Visit - Photo by © Reka Csulak
Szimpla Piac Visit - Photo by © Reka Csulak
Szimpla Piac Visit - Photo by © Reka Csulak
Szimpla Piac Visit - Photo by © Reka Csulak
Hai Nam Pho
27 Október Huszonharmadika Street, Budapest 1117
I’ve heard a lot about pho, and since I’ve turned my fears into courage and tried ramen a year ago, I knew I need to keep discovering oriental cuisine. This is how we ended up in the busiest pho bar of Budapest, owned by a Vietnamese family so they really know what they are doing there. We were so lucky because we found a large table enough for everyone, but I have to say, others, came after we were standing in a long queue till the street: this is how popular this little restaurant is.
My pho came with an extra tender beef shank, a generous amount of noodles, coriander, sprouts, garlic, chili sauce, chili, and lime. As a Hungarian who loves broth in any form started to eat my soup without adding anything else and around I ate one-third of it, started to boost with the garnishes, and the delicious beef broth turned into a hot and spicy soup balanced with the cooling effect of the fresh coriander and lime. I cannot wait to try more and more dishes of Vietnamese cuisine.
Hai Nam Pho Visit - Photo by © Reka Csulak
Hai Nam Pho Visit - Photo by © Reka Csulak
Pizza Manufaktura
9 Lónyay Street, Budapest 1093
Every Gastro Adventure includes a pizza experience. This time I choose Pizza Manufaktura, located close to the award-winning Great Market Hall. Sometimes I like to order pizzas with limited toppings, which means I can enjoy the taste of the crust, the sauce, the cheese, and fresh herbs without incorporating additional elements.
The one called 'Bivaly' -or 'Buffalo'- is topped with a tomato base, fior di latte, Grana Padano, basil and garlic oil, and I have to say I would not even asked for other toppings. We brought the pizza to Fővám Square, shared it there while enjoying the view of Liberty Bridge and Gellért Hill. The crust was crispy, not too thick, great ratio together with the well-known tomato-cheese-basil combo, but the Grana Padano gave it an even more fragrant deliciousness.
Pizza Manufaktura Visit - Photo by © Reka Csulak
Waffle Dog
9 Klauzál Square, Budapest 1072
This is one of the most colorful places in the city if you are craving a good dessert. The most popular item on the menu is the waffle dog, which is a stuffed waffle with different toppings.
This one in the picture is stuffed with a ‘Túrórudi’ (a popular Hungarian chilled, sweet curd cheese bar covered by dark chocolate) and served with vanilla and chocolate sauces. OMG! One of the best street-food-style desserts I’ve ever tried. We tried 2 more: one with banana and Nutella and another with blueberry and vanilla sauce, but the winner is definitely the Túrórudi!
Waffle Dog Visit - Photo by © Reka Csulak
Bestia
9 Szent István Square, Budapest 1051
Such a long wait until I was able to visit this restaurant of Rozina Wossala. I keep watching her Instagram posts about juicy steaks, and lately, steak is something that I love to try all around the world. Rozina recommended the New York Strip, so I was desperate to try it on a sunny morning when I walked around in the center of Budapest.
Since I realized how great the steak is when it's medium-rare, I cannot think about the well-done 'shoe-sole'-like meat pieces anymore. Look at this gorgeous, juicy, and pink steak! Beautifully grilled, with green jalapenos on the top... I cannot imagine a better lunch next to large windows with a view of St. Stephen's Basilica. I need to mention the triple-baked chips, served with truffle and parmesan, which was my chosen side, what a posh option... full of flavors.
If you are celebrating an occasion or success, just let the 'Beast' please you!
Bestia Visit - Photo by © Reka Csulak
Macaron Heaven Manufaktúra
62 Margit Blvd, Budapest 1027
Last year one of my Insta-friends made her wishes come true and opened her own macaron shop in my favorite district of Budapest.
In the shop, you can find fresh macarons every day with many-many different figures and flavours, but you can order special ones too with branding or design. I was not a big fan of macarons since I only tried super sweet ones and it was not the most pleasant experience ever.
My visit to Macaron Heaven changed everything. These macarons are well balanced, each with an identifiably unique flavor. I bought 6 different, but the most surprising and my absolute favorite is the yellow-white one with apple pie flavor.
Macaron Heaven Manufaktúra Visit - Photo by © Reka Csulak
KicsiZso Café
11 Frankel Leó Street, Budapest 1027
I was super excited in the morning when I visited this café, not only because I had a brunch date with my friend who recently came home from Bali but I was not able to stop thinking about their French toast with duck liver. And I was not disappointed, it was one of the best breakfasts I can imagine ever... my friend tested a salmon bagel.
Service is super friendly with the owner behind the counter, food is unbelievably delicious, so you should enjoy a good brunch at KicsiZso during your visit to the Hungarian capital.
KicsiZso Café Visit - Photo by © Reka Csulak
KicsiZso Café Visit - Photo by © Reka Csulak
Countryside visit
Mihályi Patisserie
21 Köztársaság Steet, Vác 2600
This confectionery has been chosen to be the best in the country in 2018. The location is very close to our village, so I was super excited to visit them and select a few masterpieces from their daily offer.
They are a real family business, at the cozy shop you can find not only the master pastry chef László Mihályi but the younger generation too.
We have chosen 3 creations. The one called 'Dunakavics' -or stone from river Danube-, which is a rich chocolate ball, but on the outside, it looks like real stone with some green moss-alike sponge on top, the best option for chocolate lovers. The second one has been named 'Vác dessert' after the city of patisserie, really delicious, smooth and crunchy, just perfect, the brown and orange colors look very appetizing together too. The last, pretty one is called 'Rózsakert' -or rose garden- which is a fruity one with white chocolate.
Mihályi Patisserie Visit - Photo by © Reka Csulak
Mihályi Patisserie Visit - Photo by © Reka Csulak
Mihályi Patisserie Visit - Photo by © Reka Csulak
The restaurants had no previous information about our visits and
we experienced the same service, quality, and prices as other guests!
In case special service or complimentary meals are offered, we always mention it!
