ICE, ICE, ICECREAM BABY

Everybody loves icecream. And nothing seems to be a better thing to do in a new city than tasting amazing icecream while strolling down the streets and looking at shop windows. 

Gelarto Rosa

If you are in Budapest, these are the icecream places that you should definitely try.

Most of them offer delicious hand crafted or home made, while some just "simply" amazing Italian icecream. 

Soooo, ready for the list? Here it is! 

(Forest fruit cup - Facebook)

AUGUSZT CONFECTIONERY

This amazing confectionery was established in 1870 and today they have 3 shops throughout Budapest. Their most popular flavours are vanilla, rice, poppy seed and cottage cheese! Obviously as a confectionery, they also sell delicious cakes as well, and you can also have lunch in their Midtown shop. 

Don't forget to check them out at the following address:

14-16 Kossuth Lajos Street in District 5, 

the shop is located between the Elisabeth bridge and Astoria. 

Opening hours:
Monday - Friday: 9 am - 9 pm
Saturday: 11 am - 6 pm

http://www.auguszt.hu/en
www.facebook.com/augusztcukraszda

(Auguszt Confectionery - downtown location - Bogart-photo)

www.levendulafagylaltozo.hu

LEVENDULA - LAVENDER HANDCRAFTED ICECREAM

This company now offers 5 franchise shops, 4 of them are in Budapest and one is in Szentendre. 

In the wintertime they have chocolate truffels, while in the summertime they sell icecream.

As the name suggests, one of the main ingredients of their delicious goods is lavender. 

They also offer both lactose and sugar free icecream in their stores. 

All together they have 80 different flavours (for example camembert cheese, chianti red wine, ginger ale), and some of them come in a really interesting colour. 

This is where you can bump into one of their stores:

• 25 Rákóczi Street (Next to Uránia Movie Theater) in District 8
• 21 Szent István krt. in District 5
• 6 Vámház krt. in Distrct 5 (Accross the street from the Big Markethall)
• Behind Mammut shopping Center in Buda
• 8 Fő tér in Szentendre (about 30 kms north from Budapest)

Opening hours:

Usually between 11 am - 10 pm, but please check each location!

http://levendulafagylaltozo.hu/

www.facebook.com/Levendula.Fagylaltozo

www.fragolafagylaltozo.hu

FRAGOLA

Fragola has been spreading like crazy  in Budapest, it is actually getting hard to keep track of where they are opening their latest store. But wherever you see these cute drawings, you can suspect that you will be seduced within minutes.

According to their description, their icecream is original hand crafted icecream that is coming all the way from Italy to your cones. 

Beside icecream, they also sell sandwiches, soups, pizzas, salads, and other sweets - however the selections are not the same in every store.

You can find them at the following addresses, but as I mentioned, they are opening new branches all the time, so it is worth checking their website and Facebook page.

7 Csévi Street in District 2

7 Nagymező Street in District 6

3/A Károly krt. in District 7

37 Katona József Street in District 13

They've just opened Fragola Beach at Római Part in District 3, where you can get your icecream from this cute Italian icecream truck:

Cute Italian icecream truck - Facebook

http://www.fragolafagylaltozo.hu/

https://www.facebook.com/fragola.fagylaltozo

Nándori icecream - nandori.hu

NÁNDORI CONFECTIONERY

Nándori was established in 1957 and is located in the pedestrian street called Ráday in District 9. This is the street, where you can find many great restaurants as well. Once you are finished with your lunch or dinner in one of these restaurants, keep some more room for dessert! It is a must to try. Simply delicious! Of course they have cakes as well! 

Address:

53 Ráday Street in District 9

Opening hours:

Monday - Saturday: 7:30 am - 7:00 pm

Sunday: closed

http://www.nandori.hu/cukraszda.php

https://www.facebook.com/nandoricukraszda

Icecream sundae - Gerbeaud.hu

GERBEAUD CONFECTIONERY

It's probably not a big surprise that one of the most famous Hungarian confectionery has one of the best icecream in Budapest. Gerbeaud also has its own cake named after him, you can read more about it in the list of food that I recommend you to try if you are visiting Hungary. 

The Gerbeaud Bistro and Confectionery is a prestigious place to visit in Budapest, it was established in 1858 and is located in the very center of the city.

Address:

7-8 Vörösmarty Square in District 5

Cafe opening hours:

Mo - Su: 08.30 am - 9 pm

Bistro opening hours: 

Monday - Sunday 12-22

http://www.gerbeaud.hu/en

Rose shaped icecream - Facebook photo

GELARTO ROSA

Gelarto Rosa is not only hand crafted, but the icecream there is actually served in a rose shape. Not only kids but adults love it as well. 
The owners also admit that they can't create the same icecream twice, so don't be surprised if one flavour doesn't taste the same the next time when you stand in the 30 minutes line that is usually queuing in front of the place.

You should try their basil lemon and pistacchio flavours.

Address:

3 Szent István tér in District 5

Opening hours:

Monday - Friday: 10 am - 10 pm

https://www.facebook.com/GelartoRosa

ladelizia.hu

LA DELIZIA COOKIE MANUFACTURER

Originally a cookie place, they make delicious cookies, also gluten and sugar free ones, and in the summertime they offer amazing icecream. 

They have basil strawberry, Madagascar vanilla, and many more great flavours.

You can taste all the flavours before buying.

Address:

13 Jókai Street in District 6

http://www.ladelizia.hu/eng/

https://www.facebook.com/ladelizia.budapest

ARTIGIANI GELATI

This place is completely out of the main tourist attractions, but if you are really after the good stuff, it's worth the trip. The shop is within a couple of minutes walking from Széll Kálmán square, the exact address is 8 Csaba Street in District 12, and this is what you can choose from. Quite convincing, right? :)

If you've found this post useful, please join our Facebook page and also don't forget to like it and share with your friends! :)

Missing something from the list? Tell us in your comment!

BEST FOOD BARGAIN IN BUDAPEST

You can taste before buying

Finding a delicious meal in a foreign country that suits your taste can be a tricky thing, especially when you don't know what to expect from a certain  nation's eating habits. I hope you have already checked out MY LIST OF FOOD about what you should definitely try while you are in Hungary.

Things can get even trickier if you are visiting Budapest as there are just so many restaurants that you can and should visit, and no matter what your plans are, there is one street in Budapest that you will visit for sure. It is called Váci Street, which is the most famous pedestrian and shopping street of Budapest. This is the street that all guidebooks recommend you to visit, as this is the street where you will not only find all the souvenir and other antique shops, but there are also plenty cafés and restaurants offering you traditional Hungarian and international dishes. And now, I will tell you where you can eat for the best price in Váci Street.

Entrance of the Corso Gourmet

The Corso Gourmet Restaurant is located on the second floor at 54 Váci Street in District 5. The restaurant belongs to a Hungarian grocery store chain called CBA. You can find CBA grocery stores throughout the country, they are one of the biggest chains in Hungary. However, they operate several smaller self-serviced restaurants in some of  their CBA PRIMA stores, to my knowldeg there is only one Corso Gourmet Restaurant in the country. At the moment I really think that they offer the widest selection of food for the best price in Budapest. 

Their interior design reminds me of a 5 star hotel's buffet. It is a self-serviced restaurant, you can choose from different soups, main dishes and desserts. 

You need to get your tray at  the front then you can start putting all the delicious food on it. All dishes can be seen through the glass and if you have any questions the staff is extremely helpful. Everything is being made fresh as they have a huge kitchen in the background.

If you would like to make your food warmer, you can simply use the microwave that is available for everybody. 

Best bargain in town

Food prices are just great. You can get main dishes with sides for about 1200 HUF (ca. 4 EUR) but that's not all. Corso Gourmet offers daily menus for a real bargain until 5 pm. And the best part is that they offer it not only on weekdays but 7 days a week! Their 2 course meal cost 799 HUF (less than 3 EUR) and the 3 course meal is 990 HUF (ca. 3,30 EUR). You can usually pick from one soup and two main dishes. 

Aaaand, here comes the best part:

Between 5 pm and 9 pm you can pick from any soups, any main dishes and any desserts for 1200 HUF (4 EUR). 

They also offer a wide selection of wine, you can mix your own drinks from fresh fruit syrup and club soda, they even have a fröccs vending machine, and you can also taste palinka!

We had a three course meal each, so all these food with drinks and pickles cost 3080 HUF (10 EUR)

Seating is spacious and comfortable. They also organize wine tasting dinners, and have a lot of special events. Food is amazingly delicious, the portions are absolutely satisfying, the staff is kind, so it is really a must try experience!

Useful information:

Address: 54 Váci Street in District 5

Opening hours: 11 am - 9 pm

Website: http://www.corsogourmet.hu/en/

Facebook: http://goo.gl/o69WBT

Please take a look at the pictures I took while we were there. Enjoy the food, the atmosphere and the great prices!

Spacious interior

Cool and comfortable seating area

Amazing wine selection

Spotlessly clean restrooms

Let's not forget, underneath it is a CBA store as well! :)

If you've found this post useful, please join our Facebook page and also don't forget to like it and share with your friends! :)

IN THIS SURGERY ROOM EVERYTHING IS EDIBLE

Are you stressed, exhausted, have mental problems? They can help! 

How about drinking a shot from a doctor's needle as an appetizer? Then you should eat the food that comes out from the surgery room. If you wish, you can sit in a wheelchair while eating, and feel free to use the lab if you need to go to the restroom. 

Confused? Don't be! I'm only talking about the latest and probably one of the craziest restaurants that has opened recently near the Blahaz Lujza square in Budapest. It is called Rendelő in Hungarian, which can be translated as the doctor's office or a clinic.

Upstairs interior

If you've ever wondered, what a real socialist doctor's office must have looked like, then you've found it. Everywhere you look, you will see surgical lamps, wheelchairs, infusion holders and all other medical equipments that otherwise could only be seen at the doctor's.

The brain and its parts as wallpaper

Just like at the doctor's

But let's keep in mind that it is actually a restaurant and a bar, so let me tell you a bit about the food as well.

They serve Hungarian and international food, and they also have fish & chips! It's worth stopping by on a weekday, as they offer lunch menus between noon and 5 pm. You can get a two course meal for 890 FUF, while a 3 course meal cost 1090 HUF. Very good food for very good price.

A three course meal cost 1090 HUF (ca. 3,50 EUR)

If you are around some other time, you can try their pastas for an average price of 1700 HUF or main dishes for about 2000 HUF.

The staff is very kind, they speak English, and it is just something that you can not miss if you are in Budapest!

Streetview, just a couple of steps away from Blaha Lujza square

Contact details:

Rendelő resto & bar

1085 Budapest, 8 Somogyi Béla Street

Opening hours: Monday - Wednesday: 11:00-24:00, Thursday - Saturday: 11:00-01:00, Sunday: 12:00-22:00

TOP RESTAURANTS OUTSIDE BUDAPEST: WESTERN-HUNGARY

Think outside of Budapest! Are you heading towards the western part of Hungary, especially Lake Balaton? Then these are the restaurants that you should definitely try on your way! All of them are listed among the top restaurants in Hungary. We've had the chance to try most of them, so we can give you first-hand recommendation about these really amazing places.

BALATONSZEMES

Appetizer: duck liver with peach compote

KISTÜCSÖK RESTAURANT 

Kistücsök Restaurant is located in Balatonszemes at Lake Balaton, about 130 kms away from Budapest, you can easily get there by train or by car. 

They have been around for over 20 years and have become one of the top restaurants in Hungary. 

As the area is rich in many raw materials, the owner of Kistücsök puts great emphasis on using these ingredients in their meals. Also, they offer a wide variety of wines from the best winemakers of the area.

They have a sunny outside area, where you should sit in the Summertime, this way you can not only enjoy the food and wine but also the nice breeze that comes from Lake Balaton. 

After your nice lunch or dinner, don't forget to take a walk at the lake, which is within 5 minutes walk from the restaurant.

Opening hours: Everyday between 11 am - 11 pm

Also, find them on Facebook and Foursquare.  

Exact address: 8636 Balatonszemes, 25 Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Street
Get the Kistücsök feeling by watching their introduction video.

SZÉKESFEHÉRVÁR

67 RESTAURANT & BISTRO 

67 Restaurant & Bistro is located in Székesfehérvár, which is about 70kms away from Budapest, on the way to Lake Balaton. The owners of the restaurant were all born in 1967, so they simply named their place 67. 

Unfortunately their website is only in Hungarian, but the pictures of their meals should be enough to convince you to take the trip! 

Not to mention that they are among the TOP 10 countryside restaurants of Hungary. 

For more mouthwatering pictures please find them on Facebook and Foursquare!

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday between 11:30 am  - 11:30 pm 

Exact address: 8000 Székesfehérvár, 1-3 Jókai Street

KÖVESKÁL

cottage style open-air bar for bikers and walkers

KERÉKBÁR

If you are in the Uplands of  Lake Balaton, we suggest to stop in Köveskál. There are two places that you should visit. But first of all, you should arrive very hungry, as your first place to visit should be the KerékBár which is an open-air place mainly for bikers, but obviously it is ok to simply walk in there. 

We recommend to take a minute (or more) to look around, as the view is really stunning from here. Also, if you haven't tried fröccs (white wine or rose mixed with club soda) yet, it's the perfect time for it along with a slice of bread with fat and red onion! Yes, this is what you should eat as an appetizer once you are there. We guarantee that you will love it!

homemade bread with fat and red onion

Exact address: 

KerékBár
8281 Köveskál, Kővágóörsi út. 10.

Now you can head to one of the best restaurants in Hungary which is located in about 5 minutes walking distance.

KŐVIRÁG RESTAURANT

Another country-style restaurant that offers traditional Hungarian and international dishes. They have a really beautiful interior design, buti n the summertime we recommend to sit outside. It really feels like you were soemhere else in a Mediterranean countryside. The dishes are amazingly delicious, the staff is kind and the environment is simply stunning. 

we had fish served on salad

Unfortunately their website and Facebook pages are unavailable in English, but believe me, it is worth giving them a chance.

Exact address:

8274 Köveskál, 9/A Fő út