Taste 100-year-old cakes at the charming Szalay Confectionery at Lake Balaton

Visitors to the Szalay Confectionery in Balatonlelle can try the iconic flavours of times gone past. The freshly opened confectioner’s shop dusted off 150-year-old recipes to transport guests back to pre-war Hungary in a truly unique atmosphere.

The Szalay Confectionery in Balatonlelle opened its gates recently in a festive ceremony in the presence of József Attila Móring, Member of Parliament, Gábor Veigl, CEO of Balaton Shipping Company, and Péter Kovács, author of a book about the Szalay family and guardian of the family’s heritage, Sonline.hu and turizmus.com report.

Photo: Móring József Attila / Facebook

Long-forgotten recipes brought to life once more

In recent years, Balatonlelle has shown great interest in the heritage of the Szalay family, for example, the Szalay Days were held for the fourth time this year in May. As Péter Kovács pointed out, the family played an important role in the development of the town. The Szalays owned several properties in the town and were actively involved in the life of Balatonlelle and its revitalisation at the time – therefore, their legacy is of great significance for the town.

The employees of the newly opened Szalay Confectionery set out to cherish and carry on the rich legacy of the family. “Our aim is to provide quality catering and to preserve the culture, traditions and spa town atmosphere of our town. The life of the Szalay family is a piece of the history of Balatonlelle, which is important for the people living here,” the team wrote in a recent Facebook post.

: Photo: Szalay Cukrászda / Instagram

: Photo: Szalay Cukrászda / Instagram

Csaba Nagy, owner of the confectionery, commented apropos of the opening:

“As a local patriot, I was happy to join the initiative of the mayor’s office [to keep the family’s heritage alive] four years ago and the first cakes based on the Szalay family’s recipes were made in the display bakery of the Kedvesem Bistro also run by our family. Seeing the success of the pastries and having deepened the history of the Szalay family, we decided that we would like to evoke the atmosphere of the beginning of the previous century even more here in Balatonlelle in a traditional, historical confectionery and offer specialties made according to traditional recipes all year round.”

The recipes that the Szalay Confectionery uses have only recently been found in the cellar of the Szalay mansion, and along with the pots, pans, and other kitchen utensils saved from decay are important historical relics for Balatonlelle.

Photo: Móring József Attila / Facebook

Szalay Confectionery evokes a time of peace in Hungarian history

Cakes made with unique recipes and a turn-of-the-century atmosphere await you at the Móló promenade boat station in Balatonlelle. The recipes dating back to the so-called “Happy Times of Peace” in Hungary, that is the period between the late 1800s and the early 1900s, highlight the country’s unique confectionery culture in the era.

: Photo: Szalay Cukrászda / Instagram

: Photo: Szalay Cukrászda / Instagram

Moreover, it is not only the delicious pastries that commemorate the family, as the building and interior design also evoke the turn of the century. Pictures from the period hanging on the walls give an insight into the life and history of the Szalay family.

At the same time, modernity is not absent from the menu: the confectionery staff have been careful to offer unchanged family recipes that are still relevant to modern tastes. The interior is also clean and contemporary, with a beautiful view of Lake Balaton. And the Szalay Confectionery has also thought of those with food sensitivities or intolerances: everyone can find their new favourite cake in their special all-free selection.

Traditional and special cakes, handcrafted ice creams, and breakfasts every day: Szalay Confectionery is sure to offer its guests a unique experience at Lake Balaton.