1/9
Kalóz SportBisztró, Balatonudvari
Kalóz SportBisztró, the new outlet of Kalóz in Fövenyes, has opened at Balatonudvari golf course. It moved here from Badacsonytomaj and still has the same manager and chef. Here, the bistro genre is emphasised but beach-food dishes are still available.
Reasons to love it:
They are trying to create a sexier version of traditional Hungarian cuisine. Besides the permanent Kalóz classics, there always have more particular items on the menu devised by creative chef Dávid Kiskuti.
You should order:
The golfers’ current favourite, butternut squash and dill pottage with goats' cheese and catfish meatloaf.
Prices:
Soups are around 1,000 forints, dishes such as goulash 1,600 forints. Main courses are priced between 2,000-2,700 forints and desserts are around 1,000 forints.
2/9
Plage 18, Tihany
This is a place where you can match sunshine with excellent cuisine in an elite environment. Plage 18 is a private beach and a restaurant on a section of the lake that feels like the seaside. You can come by just for a meal, of course: traditional, homely flavours are in the spotlight here and everything is made with quality ingredients. There’s a wide selection of fish dishes and beef tenderloin, while the drinks selection consists of artisanal wines mainly from the Balaton region, including products from 2HA, Válibor and A két jó barát meg az Anti.
Reasons to love it:
The spacious terrace and the immaculate lawn are reason alone to visit, plus there’s the culinary side of the place – and it’s pretty cool to order from a deckchair.
You should order:
Crunchy duck breast with fruit sauce, and make sure to watch the lake from the beach while eating it.
Prices:
Soups are priced between 1,100-2,300 forints, main courses cost 2,100-3,900 forints without side dishes (except for the tenderloins), while desserts are 1,500 forints.
The beach has an entry fee of 3,000 forints that includes a deckchair, a parasol, a table and a towel, and food and drinks service.
3/9
Balcsi Bistro, Tihany
Tihanyi Piac Placc has been popular on its own but now that its bistro got a name, a brand and a new menu by Tamás Dános, it offers even more reason to visit. Plus, it will be open during the week, as well, while the season lasts.
Reasons to love it:
Getting all the fresh produce from the market and then having a nice meal out of it is a great combination.
You should order:
The garlic and marjoram chicken liver with bread and pickles is highly popular.
Prices:
Soups are priced around 1,000 forints, main courses cost 1,500-2,500 forints while the desserts are less than 1,000 forints.
4/9
Pörc Bisztró, Balatonkenese
Sausages, ribs, beef patties and pork rind are grilled in this new bistro next to Pörc Delicatessen in Balatonkenese. Opening his venue in June, owner Jenő Kocsis never doubted its potential. Chef Kornél Tarlós, who used to work at Olívia in Veszprém, mans the grill counter.
Reasons to love it:
You can taste the grilled products from the family meat factory in a cool atmosphere.
You should order:
The gourmet burger has a beef patty with 85% meat topped with plum chutney, grilled bell pepper and goats' cheese.
Prices:
Sausages with bean salad and chutney are 2,400 forints, burgers cost between 1,890-2,200 forints, while the cold curd-cheese dumplings are 890 forints.
5/9
St. Orban Restaurant, Badacsony
The owners, the Laposa and Szeremley families, evoke the traditions of old Badacsony hospitality. To do this, they have everything they need: a vine arbour, an incredible view and classics such as duck liver, stuffed cabbage, cottage-cheese noodles and Wiener schnitzel – all made with modern technology and served with unusual side dishes.
Reasons to love it:
The place has an atmosphere that will take you back in time, yet the kitchen is very much from the 21st century.
You should order:
Cottage-cheese dumplings baked in sour cream. You’ll have to wait a bit but it’s worth it.
Prices:
Soups are available for 1,150-1,550 forints, main courses are priced between 2,200-6,900 forints, while desserts cost between 1,250-1,450 forints.
6/9
Szomszéd Kertje, Csopak
Attila Tóth and his team opened Szomszéd Kertje in Csopak in place of an old pub: this revamped place is perfect for locals who just want to sample the wine region’s vintages and for visitors after quality bistro fare.
Reasons to love it:
Skilled chef Gábor Bajkai always has something surprising in store. Plus, the communal terrace is set out on the street.
You should order:
Revamped chicken Kiev or the savoury, bacon-wrapped sandwich.
Prices:
Soups are around 1,000 forints, main courses all under 3,000 forints, desserts between 500-1,000 forints.
7/9
Tiki Beach Bistro, Zamárdi
The couple who owns the bistro wanted to open a Hawaiian-style surfer bistro in Zamárdi where guests can feel like they are by the ocean, with ice-cold cocktails and a hot atmosphere. Tiki is unique, with a great bistro kitchen and a talented barista.
Reasons to love it:
It has a pretty design with colourful chairs and a sideboard that is an old piano. And then there’s Zsuzsa's hospitality.
You should order:
Try the daily pizza, the watermelon gazpacho or egg noodles with grilled sausage and Savoy cabbage. Since it’s a tiki bar, you should also try their Bahama Marci cocktail or their brilliant coffee.
Prices:
They have bistro prices – soups are around 1,000 forints, pizzas are available between 1,500-1,900 forints, while most of the main courses run at under 2,000 forints.
8/9
Terasz, Balatonalmádi
Balatonalmádi’s Wesselényi Beach is now that much richer with a place where there’s a wide selection for vegetarians, eco-conscious consumers and coffee-lovers. Chef Bálint Kocsis uses homemade sauces and chutneys to spice up the dishes and mention must be made of the an award-winning coffee cocktail.
Reasons to love it:
You don’t have to buy a ticket to the beach to visit the buffet. There are various dishes for those with a special diet, and the sauces are heavenly.
You should order:
Roast chicken breast with marigold and tomato jam, and sprout-and-bean salad, might sound weird at first but it will convince you – especially the jam, which is unforgettable.
Prices:
Soups are 890 forints, main courses cost between 2,000-3,000 forints, while the burgers are priced between 1,500-1,800 forints.
