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Final questions (I hope) about trip to Budapest

Posted by (Janesville WI, USA) on

I first started posting questions and doing research about Budapest here on the Travel Forum – and elsewhere – way back in April, so I don’t need a lot in the way of general suggestions about things to see and do. But I do have some specific questions at the end of this post and would appreciate answers to them.

We only have our arrival evening and another full 2 days and our “must sees” are minimal: St. Stephen’s and Vorosmarty Ter Christmas markets, one of the other indoor markets (probably Great Market Hall), the Hungarian National Gallery (for art) and Castle area, and one of the thermal baths (Gellert or Szenchenyi.)

Also, please keep in mind as you respond that I have had some health setbacks recently and am still recovering from both serious anemia and also plantar fasciitis. Extensive walking may turn out to be a major issue for me. I hope not, but if it does, we plan on using taxis to get around.

Here are my specific remaining questions:

  1. Is it possible that one of the fixed price meals at the St. Stephen’s or Vorosmarty Christmas markets might be stuffed cabbage? If not, what is the absolutely best restaurant for stuffed cabbage?

  2. Could someone recommend one or two favorite restaurants close to Medos Hotel near Oktogon Square? (I've seen the vast lists that have already been posted, and they're quite helpful. But are there just 1 and 2 nearby?)

  3. Anyone out there have any recommendations for a vintage, thrift or resale shop?

  4. Is it necessary to book a Legenda evening cruise (5, 5:30 or 6 PM) in advance on a Tuesday night? Depending on how I hold up physically, we’re not sure what time we’d get there.

Thanks in advance … Karen

Posted by
4962 posts
  1. I don’t know. But I have had it at Duna Corso and it was really good. Haven’t had it in enough places to know “best”.
  2. SZÉK Restaurant & Bar Is a block away on Andrassy: good food and wine and a very affordable 2 or 3 course option for afternoon meals (maybe before 3?) and Menza Étterem. This one is small and can be crowded, but I had some great soup and wine here one night: Kiadó Kocsma (just find a seat - I asked about sitting on one end of a 4 person table with only 2 people and the staff was good to help me). There’s a good chimney cake stall right at Oktagon. None of these are further than 2 blocks.
  3. I assume clothes? I enjoy shopping here - but have never bought anything: Retrock Designer Vintage Store. Most useful for me was Humana Vintage Astoria. There are others but I have only been to small ones and not found much.
Posted by
2698 posts

I have stayed at the Medosz Hotel 3 times now and haven't really found any sit-down restaurants nearby--I have occasionally had a burger at Zing on Terez korut, but otherwise tend to eat lunch or dinner while I am out and about in other areas of Budapest. Since you'll be on the M1 line you might check out one of my favorite restaurants just across from Szent Istvan's basilica, Belvarosi Lugas on Bajcsy-Zsilinszky ut 15, around the corner from the station. They do have an excellent toltott kaposzta--it's the first place I eat when I visit.

Posted by
28428 posts

Everyone's preferred time for the Legenda river cruise seems to be around sunset. I have no idea what happens during the holiday season, but those cruises were selling out ahead of time in July. I'd book a bit ahead; unfortunately, I don't know whether to tell you to do that 48 hours ahead, 72 hours ahead, or farther in advance.

Posted by
20780 posts

Is it necessary to book a Legenda evening cruise (5, 5:30 or 6 PM) in
advance on a Tuesday night? Depending on how I hold up physically,
we’re not sure what time we’d get there.

I would book it today. There are no guarantees in life. It's worth the time to do and it would be a shame to miss it.

Today sunset is at 4:03pm is the time is good. If you are unsure, book a little later. The Vorosmarty ter market is very near and if you are early you can hang out there or ho to the Corso and enjoy tge view.

Posted by
133 posts

Hi, I just returned from Budapest seven days ago - it is extraordinary. Here's my (limited) thoughts:

  1. I don't know;
  2. a) Menza - https://www.menzaetterem.hu b) Ket Szercsen - https://www.ketszerecsen.hu/en -the menus at both restaurants were excellent! I'd absolutely eat at both again

3) Sorry, I don't;
4) I booked my Legenda cruise for a Sunday night at 6:00 PM about 7 days in advance. It did not sell out, but it was very full. It's exactly one hour, so you can plan around that.

And, as to your foot/health issues, I didn't use it a lot, but during the times I used the metro/subway, I found it extremely efficient.
Enjoy your trip

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