Restaurant lists tend to get a bit long. So I am curious if there are any top contenders.
First, are you a big-time foodie or do you just eat for survival? Opinions from both extremes are valid.
First Question: What was your single best dining experience in Budapest; then number 2 and number 3 if either are worthy
I say “dining experience” recognizing its about more than the food. There is service, atmosphere, mood, cost for what you got, different things for different folks.
Second Question: Did the dining experience in Budapest fall into the top ten you experienced in Europe?
Posted by
OP
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
24525 posts
For me, scores of 8 is where Michelin Star restaurants begins.
Number 1: Király100 Gastro Corner. A tough choice. The advantage of being in Budapest is that ….. well ….. I am in Budapest and it’s logical that the best would be a dinner where you celebrate “Hungarian”. No place, more so than Király100 is more reflective of high end Hungarian dining as one would have imagined it to be prior to WWII when Budapest was still an economic and cultural leader in Europe. A perfect location to stew in the pot that is my home. I am very surprised this is the one I chose. Took a lot of thought and attempt to find balance.
Food: 8
Service: 8
Atmosphere: 10
Sense of Place/History/Meaning: 10
Number 2: Cork Breakfast and Wine birthday party (theirs, not mine). Live music, but not too loud. Obvious mixture of languages in the room, from English to French to Ukrainian. A familiar welcome from the staff as though each guest were a family member at their birthday party. Outstanding and caring service, among the best presented and consistently good menus in town. This hold second place even if there were no event. Obvious choice given the that so much of what makes a good experience is "emotional".
Food: 9
Service: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Context/Staff: 10
Number 3: Getting an outside table without a wait (rare) on cool September morning at Stika Gastropub on Dob utca. The waitress, wish I could remember her name, did remember mine and said good morning, Mr. E. The Eggs Benedict with American style and American style cooked crispy bacon and a palinka raspberry lemonade just made reality go away for a while. Another surprise for me.
Food: 8
Service: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Calm: 10
Runner up: N28 Wine and Kitchen. Textbook perfect dining. Obvious choice.
Food: 9
Service: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Exceptionalism: 10
Posted by
33 posts
I’m more of a foodie, so I enjoy the full dining experience. My top spots in Budapest were Mazel Tov, Hungarikum Bisztró, and Kiosk.
And yes, Budapest definitely made it into my top ten in Europe.