Gundel Cafe Patisserie Restaurant

Gundel is an absolute Budapest institution, and reservations are a must. From the moment we arrived, the service was impeccable—attentive, professional, and genuinely warm. The food was delicious from start to finish, with beautiful presentation that reflects the restaurant’s heritage and attention to detail. The four of us enjoyed an exceptional meal throughout, with each course thoughtfully prepared and perfectly executed. The restaurant itself is gorgeous, with an elegant ambiance that feels both historic and refined. Gundel truly lives up to its reputation as one of Budapest’s best and most iconic dining experiences.

This 130-year old gastronomic institution is THE place for traditional Hungarian dishes prepared at the highest level imaginable. My 2 grandmothers were Hungarian and Gundel’s chicken paprikash surpassed even their versions! It was so phenomenal I went back the next day to have it again, something I almost never do. The piano and gypsy violin music set the perfect ambiance. Service is impeccable. Wish to compliment my waiter, Gabor for his warmth, professionalism and great recommendations— he is great at what he does!

We ordered the Sunday family lunch at Gundel Café and absolutely loved it! The atmosphere was amazing, with live music that made the whole experience feel really special and the staff were warm and friendly. The Hungarian food was delicious and beautifully done, definitely felt like fine dining, but at the same time the dishes were simple and homely. This is the place to treat yoself!

Gundel Restaurant — Budapest’s Timeless Symphony of Hospitality and Culinary Art Stepping into Gundel is like entering a living museum of Hungarian gastronomy — one that has not merely survived more than a century, but refined the very meaning of fine dining over the course of 120 remarkable years. Once frequented by luminaries such as Madonna, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the world’s political elite, Gundel continues to honor its legacy while offering a deeply personal, unforgettable dining experience. From the moment we were greeted, the service set the tone — gracious, intuitive, and elegantly choreographed. The staff didn’t just serve; they hosted us, with the kind of genuine warmth that’s become increasingly rare even among Michelin-starred establishments. They asked where we were from, shared insights into the history of the dishes, and seemed truly invested in making our evening exceptional. And indeed, it was. We celebrated our honeymoon, and to our astonishment, the pianist began playing the Mendelssohn Wedding March — a gesture so intimate and perfectly timed that it turned the dinner into pure magic. The food? Simply world-class. Each plate was a masterpiece of balance and tradition — succulent meats, flawlessly cooked and plated with contemporary precision, and cocktails that rival those of the finest European bars. Every bite echoed heritage and mastery, from the velvety sauces to the impeccable texture of the Hungarian specialties reinvented for the modern palate. Gundel isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a love letter to Budapest’s soul, where history, hospitality, and haute cuisine unite. Dining here feels like stepping into a story you’ll want to relive again and again.

amazing I loved it here. it felt like going back in time with the live violin music and piano, very friendly musicians. the food was amazing, I got goulash, chicken paprikash and the strawberry cheese pancakes which were all great, would recommend all 3. they also gave pallete cleansers in between.

I would give this place 4 stars. It’s a very popular, recommended spot, but unfortunately the service and some of the food didn’t meet expectations. The pheasant was amazing — it was my first time trying it, and the meat was cooked perfectly. However, the foie gras was very disappointing. I love foie gras and have tried it in many places, but this was one of the saddest experiences I’ve had. On top of that, we often had to pour our own champagne because the waiter was slow to come and we had to repeatedly call for service. That said, the atmosphere, music, and the live violinist were beautiful and added a wonderful touch to the evening.

An outstanding lunch between visiting the museum. Old world elegance, the ambiance is part of the experience. Music was excellent. We ordered their multi-course meal, which was a lot of food. The food was delicious, everything well presented. Very popular, so reserve ahead.

I visited Gundel with my mother during our trip to Budapest, as I wanted to treat her to a special dinner. The restaurant’s strong reviews, elegant atmosphere, and reputation for great food made it an easy choice and it certainly lived up to expectations. From the moment we arrived, the service was outstanding. We were warmly welcomed and guided to our table, and throughout the evening the staff were attentive, friendly, and helpful with recommendations whenever we were unsure. The restaurant itself is beautiful and classy, creating the perfect setting for a memorable evening. I started with an Espresso Martini served in a cappuccino-style cup—a creative and delightful touch. For dinner, we chose the meal + starter/soup option. The staff kindly went above and beyond by serving us two bowls of soup rather than asking us to share one, which was a small but very thoughtful gesture. The goulash soup, in particular, was outstanding - tender meat and incredible flavor. Every dish we tried was excellent, and we truly enjoyed the whole dining experience. The only element I personally wasn’t fond of was the live band walking around the tables asking for money after playing. While some guests may enjoy it, I felt it was a bit out of place in such a refined setting. That said, our evening at Gundel was absolutely wonderful. Both the food and the service were exceptional, and I would happily return. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Budapest!