Through Four Seasons' Eyes Budapest - IMEX America

Restaurants
Traditional Hungarian
128
21 Magyar Vendéglo
(I. Fortuna utca 21;
www.21restaurant.hu)
With its comfortably stylish
interior and wonderfully
prepared meals, 21 Hungarian
Kitchen is reason enough to come
to the historic Castle District.
Tasty updates of Hungarian
classics without all the culinary
clichés. Opt for local favorites
of chicken paprika with butter
dumplings or the meat-filled
Hortobágy pancake. Lighter on
calories than traditional cuisine
but big on flavor.
Alabárdos Étterem
(I. Országház utca 1;
www.alabardos.hu)
Once you digest the faux
medieval decor, you can get on
with the real business of enjoying
one of the best meals you’re likely
to have in the Castle District.
Progressive Magyar cuisine
brought to you by chef Attila
Bicsár, outstanding service and
attention to detail make this a
very worthwhile stop after a full
day of touring.
Bock Bisztro
(VII. Erzsébet körút 43-49;
www.bockbisztro.hu)
Executive chef Lajos Bíró has
modernized Hungarian cuisine
by lightening things up and
throwing in a continental twist.
This wine restaurant showcases
the superb reds of vintner József
Bock out of Villány. Tapas and
lighter snacks feature alongside
richer dishes, such as roasted
duck breast with pepper sauce
and fried noodles. About two
dozen wines from Bock’s label are
complemented by a fine selection
from Hungary’s top vintners.
Café Kör
(V. Sas utca 17; www.cafekor.com)
Still one of the more
recommendable restaurants in
town, Café Kör applies a creative
gourmet touch to Hungarian
standards. The wrought-iron
tables, vaulted ceilings, and crisp
white tablecloths give this chic
bistro a decidedly downtown
feel. Perfect for lunch or dinner
when touring nearby St Stephen’s
Basilica, although it’s best to go
early, since the place enjoys a
loyal local following. The daily
specials are scribbled on the wall,
in both Hungarian and English
and traditional breakfast is
served every morning from 10am.
Gundel
(XIV. Állatkerti út 2; www.gundel.hu)
Still one of the city’s most famous
restaurants, Gundel opened its
doors in 1910. Its chef, Károly
Gundel was instrumental in
revolutionizing Hungarian
cuisine by introducing French
influences. Since then the
menu has gone through a few
updates but still feels a bit oldfashioned
with a handful of
lighter renditions of Hungarian
standards. Lamb, wild game and
the famous Gundel pancake are
the house specialties.
Menza
(VI. Liszt Ferenc tér 2;
www.menzaetterem.hu)
One of the few recommendable
venues on busy Liszt Ferenc
tér, Menza resembles a hip
and trendy version of a 1970s