You don’t keep going back to a place because it is expensive and elegant, or because that is where your grandma used to take you for lángos in 1986. What makes a good place then? Everyone has a different answer to that question. We compiled a list of the top 100 spots we think are worth checking out around Lake Balaton for one reason or another: the waiting staff are passionate about their job, there is excellent coffee, it is the perfect place to kill an hour or even half a day. We definitely left some important ones out, and there are places that won’t make it onto our list next year. Here are our top 100 favourite haunts around the Balaton.

Tihany

Teahouse Deep in the Woods – An anglers’ paradise tucked away in the forest, a huge tea collection and homemade cakes. “Unique location” is not just a phrase here. Tihany-Sajkod-horgásztanya, at the end of the asphalt road.
Rege Confectionery – “The” confectionery of Tihany, just below the abbey. Tihany, Kossuth utca 22.
Tihanyi PIAC Placc – Artisan cheese and sausages, antique pieces, a bistro and a bit of contemporary art in the grove by the ferry. Tihany, Rév.
Karolina’s Spice Garden – The latest venture of the famous Karolina from Füred: a restaurant on the terrace of Echo Residence Hotel. Tihany, Felsőkopaszhegyi út 35.
SUP Centre – Stand on a surfboard, grab a paddle and explore the romantic side of the Tihany peninsula. Tihany, Club Tihany, Rév u. 3.
Ferenc Pince Csárda – The best restaurant in Tihany, a little bit further away from the hustle and bustle of the village and the ferry. Tihany, Cser-hegy 9.
KOGART Tihany – High culture amid colourful bazaar stalls. Tihany, Kossuth Lajos utca 10.

From Balatonfüred to Paloznak

Hajógyári Harbour and Restaurant – The old shipyard has been filled with life again, and the restaurant has set the bar high from the beginning. Our sailor friends swear by the chocolate mousse. Balatonfüred, Tihanyi műút 1.
Biobalaton eco- and artisan market – Malackrumpli Restaurant – An eco-market and an artisan-eco restaurant, craft beer – the realm of organic farmer Tamás “Black Sheep” Járosi. Balatonfüred, by the Füred camping grounds.
Figula Wine Bar – An urban adventure for wine enthusiasts who don't feel like a trip through vineyards. Balatonfüred, Zákonyi Ferenc u. 4./Silver udvar
Karolina Café & Cocktail Bar – It is no exaggeration to call this place the most popular café around Lake Balaton. Balatonfüred, Zákonyi Ferenc u. 4./Silver udvar
Bagaméri Ice Cream Parlor – Curd cheese-dill pie is a kind of ice cream here. You won’t regret giving it a try. Balatonfüred, Kisfaludy sétány
Bergmann Confectioneries – Real café traditions, exquisite custard cake instead of the smell of naphthalene, at two locations. Balatonfüred, Zsigmond utca 1., Petőfi Sándor u. 64.
Baricska Csárda – How to turn a closed csárda into a top restaurant over the course of one summer? Like this. Balatonfüred, Baricska dűlő

Matróz – Sea fish, tapas, wine: the newest of the new wave in Füred. Balatonfüred, Écsi László u. 5.
Kredenc Wine Bistro – We feel like the only way to run a place with wine, music and snacks is the way András Dobai does it. A definite favourite for us. Balatonfüred, Blaha Lujza utca 7.
Vaszary Villa – Contemporary painters and a cosy garden café only a minute away from everything. Balatonfüred, Honvéd u. 2-4.
Vitorlás Restaurant – A restaurant in the first sailing club of the Balaton, right “in the middle” of Füred. The legacy of the place is all the guarantee you need. Balatonfüred, Vitorlás tér – Tagore sétány 1.
Guruljon az élet – A bike rest stop between Füred and Csopak. Hippie-style and cool with hammocks everywhere. Fresh food, bike repair tools. Csopak, 0219/4 hrsz.
Jásdi Wine Cellar – Looking for some Riesling on the northern shore? Go to Jásdi and drink a glass or two on the wine terrace overlooking the lake. Csopak, Arany János u. 2.
Tamás Winery – Wine, cordials, jams and lavender cider – this is not a regular wine cellar. Csopak, Arany János utca 1.
Szent Donát Cellar and Winehouse – A restaurant, winery and occasional market all in one on the Csopak hilltop. It is worth the climb. Csopak, Szitahegy.
Homola Enoteca – Homola and co. wish to pass on the 100% Balaton feeling with their wine and the wine picnic organized in August. Look for the 100% Balaton wines in their enoteca in the local Tájház. Paloznak, Fő utca 6.

From Alsóörs to Balatonakarattya

Bakter Bistro – The resti flourishes, at least in Alsóörs. Alsóörs, Füredi út 1.
Carpaccio Restaurant – The chef here is not Italian, nor is he a chef by profession, but this is still one of the best Italians around Lake Balaton, far away from the pizza-spaghetti axis. Alsóörs, Szent István u. 40.
Alsóörs Pub Cinema – A groundbreaking venture: Pogány Madonna, old movies and football games projected onto the pub wall. Alsóörs, Endrődi Sándor utca 1.
Bor és Szóda – A fröccs bar with heart and soul, a lot of great wine and vegetable pálinka. Balatonalmádi, Baross Gábor u. 2.  
Jóbarátok Fish Place – There is no special trick here, similar to Oszi bácsi or Halas Karcsi, but it is a cult place nonetheless. Balatonalmádi, Budatava strand
Amaretto Ice Cream Parlor – “Master Nobu”, the manager is always experimenting with new combinations, so be sure to return. Balatonalmádi, Városház tér 1.
Katica Bakery – A legendary bakery, a meeting place and much more. Balatonkenese, Fő utca 21.
Pörc - Hungarian delicatessen – Meat, cheese and sausages – the most recent attraction in Kenese. Balatonkenese, Fő utca 23.
Spoon il Mercato Restaurant – The newest member of the Spoon restaurant family, Italian food high up on the Akarattya shore. Balatonakarattya, Brassó utca 4.