According to the dbo opinion after 20th August every place is closed at Balaton. We took a quick look at a couple of well-known restaurants to prove this idea wrong. It turned out we were right: you won't starve to death if you follow our list.
1/12
Kistücsök, Balatonszemes
It's not a big surprise that the top restaurant of Lake Balaton is open all year long. The owner, Balázs Csapody says, he would not be able to provide professional service if he fired everyone at the end of the summer and he had to find new employees in spring. Thanks to this philosophy you get to taste the delicious dishes of Kistücsök in the winter as well, since it is open from 11 AM until 11 PM every day of the year. Anno Taverna in Balatonszárszó has built up a good reputation in the past few years; however it is not in the same league as Kistücsök. Anno Taverna is open from 25th August until 1st May between 11 AM and 10 PM every day, except for Mondays.
2/12
Kővirág étterem, Köveskál
One of the most famous restaurants of Káli-medence, Kővirág is closed from December until March. They still work on the weekends until the end of November though: the restaurant is open on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 11 AM and 10 PM. Booking a table might be a good idea. If you're in Köveskál and there are no free tables left in Kővirág, neither in Káli Art Inn, the recently opened Miakő could be a good alternative, which is expected to stay open almost all year long. The owner is planning only a short break in February.
3/12
Karolina Kávéház, Balatonfüred
There are many things to do in Balatonfüred during winter. You can always drink a coffee or grab a bite in North Shore's well-known confectionery, Karolina. It opens at 8 in the morning every day and closes at 9 PM. The only exception is Saturday, when Karolina is open until midnight.
4/12
Mala Garden Étterem, Siófok
Mala Garden knows nothing about winter, because the cold weather never reaches the shores of Bali. After all, the flavours and the food of Mala Garden come from the Indonesian region. You don't have to be a guest of this hotel in Siófok to try this special kind of cuisine from the Far East, and if your stomach is not used to this food, you'll find traditional dishes as well. Mala Garden is open every day out of season as well between 11 AM and 10.30 PM. They only close for Christmas, but who would blame them?
5/12
Carpaccio Étterem, Alsóörs
The athlete-chef Zsolt Kárpáti goes against trends both in the kitchen and regarding the opening hours. Most of the places shut down at the end of September, but Carpaccio is open all year long, and it awaits the guests from noon until 9 PM. The only exceptions are Friday and Saturday, because the place closes at 10 PM on those days.
6/12
Paprika Csárda, Zamárdi
You would have no luck finding the beloved Mauro Ristorante in Zamárdi, during winter, beacuse it is closed at that time of the year. It will only be reopened on 14th April. Paprika Csárda in Zamárdi's center could be a good replacement though: it is open all year long from 10 AM until 10 PM. On Friday and Saturday it stays open for one more hour.
Paprika Csárda
Address: 8621 Zamárdi, 1 Honvéd Street
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7/12
Jóbarát vendéglő, Keszthely
Jóbarát Vendéglő is definitely open, should you be starving in Keszthely. Only a few minutes away from the city center, close to the roundabout which leads to Gyenesdiás, Jóbarát is open every day from 11 AM until 10 PM.
8/12
Chateau Visz, Visz-Berencsepuszta
Chateau Visz Gourmet is the only fine dining restaurant of Balaton, which offers nothing but degustation menus. Located in the luxury hotel Chateau Visz, it is open all year long. Between 1st September and 31st May, the restaurant is open from Wednesday until Sunday. It is only open between 12 PM-2 PM and 7 PM-10 PM.
9/12
Gyulakeszi Autóspihenő, Gyulakeszi
The place at Gyulakeszi's car rest doesn't have a proper name, but as the board suggests on the top of it: "open all year long". As you arrive from Tapolca, you'll easily bump into this street food spot. Actually, it is one of the best in this category at Balaton.
10/12
Chianti Étterem, Veszprém
Baricska Csárda in Balatonfüred made quite an impressive debut this summer, but it is closed during winter just like many other places. The crew, which runs Baricska has another restaurant in Veszprém, and Chianti awaits you all the time. You'll find Italian cuisine here from 11.30 AM until 11 PM every day. Except for Friday and Saturday, because then it is open until midnight.
11/12
Pub-Lik, Balatonföldvár
The core of the nightlife in Balatonföldvár doesn't shut down when there are no tourists anymore. Starting from 16th September Pub-Lik is open from noon until midnight every day.
