Anything like Dim Sum or Tapas in Munich, Prague, Vienna, Budapest or Krakow?

For Budapest, there's a wonderful all you can eat buffet place, Trofea Grill Etterem. I learned about it from Fodor's Budapest, and here's their page about it: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/budapest/restaurants/231783#sthash.7dFdL0pO.dpbs

At the end of the listing, they say "Note that there are four locations with the same name, but they are owned by different companies. This location is the only one we recommend." So, here's how to get there: Take the metro line 1 (the yellow line) to the last stop, Mexikoi Ut. When you reach the top of the stairs of the metro station, turn right. You will see tram tracks: cross them, and turn left. At the end of the block you will see the restaurant (I believe you have to cross the tracks again).

You can sample little bits of everything, then go back for more of what you liked. And if you like grilled squid, be sure to have it here. If you still have room for dessert, note that they have unlimited chocolate sauce and unlimited whipped cream. Thus, this place ticks several of your boxes - don't miss it!

A further bonus is that I was the only non-Hungarian there, and many families patronize the place, so it had a very nice local atmosphere. Note that the price is much lower for weekdays than for weekends, and much lower for lunch than for dinner.

Well, perogies... those are sort of like dim sum, in that you could call each a type of dumpling. It's not in Krakow, but there was a restaurant in Warsaw where I ate that offered platters of various types of perogies.

I'm thinking realy hard trying to come up with a similar idea for Munich. And all I can remember is a Spanish-themed tapas restaurant.

In Krakow, my favorite place was Polskie Smaki ("Polish Flavors") right in the Old Town, found in Rick's book. It's a milk bar, but it has a nice atmosphere (not at all like a cafeteria, which I feared from Rick's descriptions). They have inexpensive Polish food, both cheaper and better quality than most of the other Krakow restaurants I tried. It's not exactly what you asked about, but with full sized dishes costing only a few dollars each, you can certainly sample various ones painlessly. The servers spoke enough English to explain the dishes to me. Be sure to have the zurek (the "z" is pronounced "zh" like the middle sound in "leisure"). It's translated "sour soup," but don't be put off - it's delicious!

Thank you both.

@ Tom,

I wasnt looking for Dim Sum, but something along the lines of a "sampler". I know in our local German restaurant (if you can call it that) they have a "sausage sample plate" where there are several types of sausages. I had it before many years ago, but that plate will fill me up.

I didnt think about a "buffet" but thats an option too.

my goal is to "sample" many local dishes instead of just one or two.

@ Harold,

thanks for the "buffet" idea. I had a brain fart so it never occurred to me.

Yes, i was going to raid one of the "milk bars" after reading about them in RS book. Im looking forward to it.

Re. the Sour soup, sour doesnt bother me in soups. I make my own "Hot & sour" soup and usually overdo the sour part.

thanks again and happy trails.

In Krakow, look for Wedel's chocolate shop in the old market area. The original, in Warsaw, is a 19th Century landmark. All things chocolate, including a "hot chocolate" drink that is pretty much liquid chocolate. I like the rasberry-chocalte mousse. Their brand of candies and cookies all over the country, and airport too.

@ stan,

thank you for the chocolate shop tip..

I tried some of the "hot chocolate" (sipping chocolate) in Brussels and it is to die for. Was able to find a local shop that serves the same too!

Tried to make it myself, but i think that microwaving the cream isnt doing it. Im going to have to go old school and break out the pan and fire up the stove.

thanks again and happy trails.

Just so you don't have the wrong expectations, Polish sour soup is nothing like hot and sour soup. It gets its name because it's made from sourdough. I had it in a few places, but no where else was it as tasty as at Polskie Smaki; their version was also half the price of other places.

@ howard,

I realized that after posting. I forgot what the ingredients was and looked it up.

but i will be trying some anyway since i can live off of "soup n sandwich".

also i was looking at their online menus and everything looks great.

One thing too is that the prices for the dishes arent that bad. Its just that i dont want any food to be tossed. I may have to find a meal partner somewhere or just grab someone off the street.

Not quite the same, but the food served at most beer gardens in Munich might resemble the tapas experience. You can pick and choose from several meat (pork) choices, starches, salads, etc... Most have a cafeteria style set up. Not exactly what you are looking for but the food is usually pretty good.

@ Rob,

Thank you for your response.

Im not looking for Tapas or Dim Sum exactly, but what i want is to sample various local cuisine. For me Dim Sum and Taps is great for that.

If they have a "buffet" style, i can live what that. I wasnt sure if "buffets" were that common since i know that here, "buffet = pig out" time.

happy trails.

@Harold, I eat a the Trofea Grill on the lower end of Kiraly utca from time to time and it is also very excellent; and in a better location for a tourist as its right in the center of Pest. It is an excellent idea for the question posed. Oddly enough the food court on the upper floor of the Great Market also fits the bill very nicely. And the food is very good there. Just get there about 11:30 for lunch before it gets crowded.