Many promising new places have opened at Lake Balaton since the spring. We’ve tested the relaxed atmosphere of panoramic wine terraces, alfresco restaurants and street-food spots to bring you the best.
1/6
CAFAT pulled pork & bbq
The crew at CAFAT pulled pork & bbq first
discovered torn meat and smoky dishes in the States and then brought these
dishes to Balatonakali beach. As well as pulled pork, they offer chicken
sandwiches prepared in a smoker, corndogs (sausage in breadcrumbs), churros,
Boston fried beans and Mexican grilled corn, while the wine selection honours
local wineries. All in all, ideal if you crave a change from the holy
trinity of hot dogs, hake and lángos.
2/6
Figula Borkert
At the top of Balatonfüred – above the Reformed Church and the Red Church – the view at the Figula Borkert speaks for itself, as do the sensational Figula wines. in addition to the excellent Olaszrizlings, the elegant, cool-toned Kékfrankos and Cabernet Sauvignon, the Bella Róza rosé is also worth tasting. Fine accompaniments include dips, cheeses and antipasti by Zsolt Martonosi, owner of Villa Delikát in ’Füred.
3/6
Manufaktúra
This barbecue terrace was opened
by three chefs and friends, Csaba Kállai, Imre Szöllősi and Lajos Putz, in
Balatonfüred, as they felt that the town lacked a place where street food was
prepared in a smoker. Each of their sandwiches has a small twist: the beef version
is first home-smoked before sour cherries are added, the pulled pork comes with
soured mulberry, while the Asian-flavoured one is cooked with kimchi marinated
over three to four weeks. Of course, they also offer salads with the smoked
toppings, the smoked-bean ragout served with ribs enticing plenty of repeat
custom.
4/6
Mérce Szigliget
The story of Mérce Szigliget is a familiar one – the
owners of the Kikötő restaurant lured Balázs Sótér, Hungarian bartender at a
popular Tenerife drinkery, to Balaton, and the result is a cocktail spot with a
Mediterranean atmosphere but without the maritime clichés. The speciality here
is gin, whose range covers almost the whole world, from Belgium to India, and
Ireland to Japan. It’s also used as the base for Sótér’s house special, the
gin-based Berries & Bubbles, not available elsewhere, and definitely worth
trying. Spanish tapas may accompany.
5/6
Primero Breakfast & Wine Terrace
The owners of Primero, Kati and Zoli, fell in love
with Balaton after a holiday here. They bought a house on Rendesi-hegy, on the
vineyards above Balatonrendes, and designed a breakfast and wine terrace with
an amazing panorama, which they run with their sons, Bence and Gergő. It’s not so much a traditional restaurant, more an Italian family-owned business, where you can start the day with hearty
breakfasts, egg dishes, sandwiches, delicious greens and regular smoothies.
From noon, street-food dishes are also available with and without meat, prepared
with locally sourced, fresh ingredients. The terrace is also a great choice if
you just want to sip a decent wine while watching the sunset. You can taste
Katalin’s self-made Olaszrizling, rosé or barrel-matured Hárslevelű and pick up
quality products from the delicatessen such as coffee, granola and ingredients for
a tasty cold plate.
6/6
Tihanyi Gastrokert
In the garden of the former Legendás
Ház in Tihany you will find four venues: you can start the day specialty
coffees, sandwiches or cakes at the Kaffeine Espresso Bar, or a delicious pastry
from the DERCE bakery in Veszprém. For a hearty lunch or dinner, it’s worth
queuing at Che Che Burger, where burgers are made from pure meat, with
fish and gluten-free alternatives. At Anjuna Ice Pops, you can order
the revered fruit and creamy ice cream made from vegetable milk and exclusively
from natural ingredients, while for a spritzer to beat the heat, head to Mörk Pincészet for the refreshing light whites of the
Balatonfüred-Csopaki wine region.
