A slow, lazy breakfast can be the highlight of your stay at Lake Balaton. Here are the ten best spots to relax over a morning meal in convivial surroundings.
1/10
A Konyhám, Balatonfenyves
The owner of this beach eatery in Balatonfenyves decided to bring breakfast to the shore of Lake Balaton. You can grab various egg dishes and breakfast burgers from 9am to 11am, but they also have a filling portion of French toast filled with ham and cheese, topped with a fried egg and Hollandaise sauce. Vegan options are also available.
Why here?
You can gaze over the lake as you take your time over a lazy breakfast.
How much?
Scrambled eggs made with three eggs, served with bread and no extra toppings is 1,050 HUF; the French toast dish is 1,850 HUF.
2/10
Cafe Maran, Siófok
This specialty café at Petőfi sétány 38 in Siófok has everything you need to start the day. They have light and dark roast coffee, quality teas, great egg dishes and brunches. You can have a croissant baked with cream and served with maple syrup and strawberry ragout, Eggs Benedict with bacon or smoked salmon, or a toasted bagel with Serrano ham and fried eggs or smoked salmon. The service is kind and fast, although the portions could be a little more generous.
Why here?
You are served a bottle of fresh water with lemon and lime before you order.
How much?
Chia pudding with almonds and fruit, 1,290 HUF; Eggs Benedict with bacon, muffin, poached eggs, Hollandaise sauce and truffle oil, 2,490 HUF.
3/10
Fügekert, Zánka
This guesthouse in Zánka offers bountiful breakfasts and brunches. The selection changes seasonally, but you can rely on a variety of jams and cheeses, honey, bread, ham, salami, spreads and cordial. On weekdays, the breakfast is available from 9am to noon, while weekend brunches run from 11am to 3pm, with dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. Reservations are a must.
Why here?
The shaded terrace has an atmosphere that makes even the hardest of mornings easier, while the meals are prepared in an open kitchen.
How much?
Breakfast is 4,450 HUF, including drinks; brunch is 6,390 HUF, with three dishes of your choice.
4/10
Karolina Café, Balatonfüred
You can enjoy the homemade delicacies of Karolina all day long once they open at 9am. There are various egg dishes, available with an abundance of toppings from deer sausage to porcini mushrooms. The specialities are grilled goose liver served in milk bread loaf with strawberry jam, duck liver pâté on homemade bread, and ciabatta with grilled pesto and smoked salmon.
Why here?
Karolina has long been a reliable figurehead of the culinary scene in Balatonfüred. They use a lot of homemade products, their ingredients are of outstanding quality and many are locally sourced. Plus, the place is open all year round.
How much?
2-3,000 HUF (including drinks).
5/10
Kikötő, Mindszentkálla
This guesthouse offers an abundant breakfast for non-residents, too. You can have eggs made with olive oil or mangalica bacon, and toppings include goats’ cheese, dried tomatoes, smoked sausage, ham and grated cheese. They also have homemade Bundt cake and Greek yoghurt with jam and muesli. The ingredients come from the garden and local producers.
Why here?
The couple who own the place are also building a community. The delicious dishes can be enjoyed in lovely surroundings.
How much?
Scrambled eggs are 1,390 HUF, Bundt cake with dark chocolate and jam is 850 HUF, Greek yoghurt with muesli 850 HUF.
6/10
Levendula porta, Kékkút
Picturesque Kékkút offers homemade delicacies such as cheese, yoghurt, jam and lavender cordial. The breakfast menu includes homemade yoghurt with lavender jam, cocoa with fresh milk, salami with hard-boiled eggs, while an abundant breakfast platter with meat, eggs and vegetables is also available. It’s best to reserve for breakfast. Once you have finished your meal, you can tour the farm and see the lavender plants and the cows followed by a tasting of the homemade cordials – just make an appointment.
Why here?
Everything is homemade and it’s probably the most tranquil place in the area in summer.
How much?
The breakfast platter is 2,500 HUF, other dishes vary.
7/10
Paletta, Tihany
Located on the main street of Tihany, this outlet of popular fish eatery Paletta offers breakfast all day long. Here the scrambled eggs are available with various toppings and the ham & eggs are made with mangalica meat. They also have abundant grilled sandwiches made with mangalica ham, sausage or buffalo mozzarella, plus they serve smoothies and shakes, also available in plant-based and lactose-free variations.
Why here?
It’s available all day long and there are options for various dietary needs.
How much?
Scrambled eggs (without toppings) 950 HUF, grilled sandwiches 990 HUF, medium-sized smoothies 550 HUF.
8/10
Promenád Café, Balatongyörök
Located by Main Road 71, Promenád has an outstanding view of both the south and north shores. Their breakfast selection includes sandwiches made with French baguettes and prosciutto, and grilled goats’ cheese served in buns with a pepper spread. You can also grab a croissant with homemade jam if you are looking for something lighter.
Why here?
They have vegan and vegetarian options, something still quite rare at Lake Balaton.
How much?
The plentiful Promenád platter is 1,350 HUF, sandwiches are around 1,000 HUF.
9/10
Tusculanum, between Mindszentkálla and Szentbékkálla
This hidden spot near the unusual natural feature of Szentbékkálla Stone Field recently opened its kitchen for non-residents, so now you can have breakfast here until 2pm. Lunch and dinner are also available if you reserve. Ask about the daily menu when you make the reservation, as it’s always changing. Tusculanum offers two types of brunch-style breakfast. It’s hard to list all the things you’ll be able to choose from, there are so many. The croissants are especially tasty, the cheese platter is bountiful, there are various homemade spreads and locally sourced mangalica ham. They also have gluten-free bread, and the feast includes brownies, champagne – and a peaceful atmosphere by the forest.
Why here?
This is one of the most substantial breakfasts Balaton has to offer, and it’s best to spend hours over breakfast as time tends to stand still.
How much?
The two brunch options cost 2,500 HUF and 3,500 HUF.
10/10
Vánkos, Badacsonyörs
Vintage Vánkos offers a buffet-style breakfast between 9am and noon. The selection is wide, including savoury and sweet choices, such as quiche and frittata or milk loaf and pies. They also have spreads such as aubergine and even smoked-trout. The coffee is made by a barista, the milk delivered from Levendula Porta. The cheese, eggs and baguettes are also locally sourced. There's another, more modest breakfast menu, while they switch to à la carte from the autumn.
Why here?
You can escape the crowd in the garden. If you sample everything from the buffet, you won't need lunch.
How much?
The brunch is 4,800 HUF, other dishes and items vary.
