TOP 5 Budapest restaurants open on Christmas Day – PHOTOS

It is that time of the year again! Christmas in Budapest can be genuinely magical. The city is dressed in sparkling lights and cheerful decorations. Yet, what is in everyone’s mind is the sumptuous holiday feast at the end of the day. You may be thousands of miles away from your family, but it does not mean you cannot make this Christmas Eve a special one. But what to do if cooking is not your strongest suit? Or even the idea of waiting in the cashier line on the busiest days of the year exhausts you? Do not let your festive mood be overshadowed by long hours of preparation. Celebrate in style by booking a table with your friends or loved ones in a chic restaurant. Here, we have gathered you the top 5 Budapest restaurants open on Christmas Day.

Déryné Bistro 

Established in 1910, Deryne used to be the favourite gathering spot of Buda’s elite. Nowadays, it is often frequented by artists, professionals, movie stars, and even the Prime Minister himself. The chich interior oozes a Parisian charm while the melodic piano songs further elevate the mood. 

This classy cosmopolitan 2-floor brasserie awaits visitors with French and Hungarian culinary masterpieces. Their confit de canard is a truly sensational festive dish. The crispy duck leg is cooked to perfection and is accompanied with the sides of your choice. To finish the night with a sweet taste, we recommend you try the famous Hungarian cottage-cheese dumplings. 

Déryné shuts its doors at 2PM on the 24th; however, it is open all day on the 25th of December.  

21 Hungarian Restaurant 

If you wish to celebrate like the locals, visit 21 a classic Hungarian restaurant located in the picturesque Castle district. When you climbed up to the hill, you can take a panoramic walk around the Buda Castle first and admire the stunning vistas. Once you worked up your appetite, this cosy restaurants awaits you with a variety of traditional heartwarming dishes. They pride themselves on their delicious yet light creations which bring back the flavours of the “good old days”. 

Their Tokaj wine infused foie gras paté is guaranteed to tickle not only the aesthetic tastebuds but also the literal ones. It comes with savoury fruit chutney and freshly baked homemade brioche. As for dessert, you should not miss their heavenly melt-in-the-mouth chocolate fondant. 

The 21 restaurant is open both on the 24th and 25th December. 

New York Café

If you want to feel and dine like royalty, New York Café will wait you with a special Christmas and New Year’s Eve menu. This lavish restaurant is found in New York Palace, right in the city centre. As you step inside, you will be mesmerised by the immense beauty of this place: sparkling chandeliers, spectacular frescoes, marbled columns, and dazzling gold details everywhere you turn. 

Even though we cannot show you the actual pictures from their Christmas menu, you can get some ideas of their exclusive gourmet dishes by looking some images taken from their regular menu. This year, they have prepared two festive menus: one appealing to meat-lovers and another one for vegans/vegetarians. You should definitely try the veal tenderloin accompanied with fennel and anis flavoured carrots and the maple syrup flavoured walnut mousse. 

New York Café is open both on the 24th and 25th December.

Read also6 cafés with totally different vibes you need to visit in Budapest

ARZ Lebanese Restaurant 

Are you particularly fond of exotic flavours? Why not make this Christmas memorable by savouring classic international and authentic Libanese dishes? Located on the lively Danube Promenade, the restaurant will offer you a majestic view to the stunning Buda waterfront.  

ARZ will bring you a little piece of the Middle East with its special Christmas menu. They offer an array of savoury delicacies that are soothing in sight and appetising in taste such as stuffed wine leaves, hummus plates, grilled lamb skewer, colourful fattoush salad, or marinated lambchops. We are already hungry just by looking at that juicy plate of fried chicken liver drizzled with pomegranate sauce. Besides, the neatly arranged halloumi cheese also looks mouth-wateringly delicious.

You can either book their special Christmas dinner on the 24th or attend their festive brunch on the 25th of December (each costs approximately EUR 83).

La Fabbrica 

Pasta lovers rejoice! There is literally no occasion when you cannot have your favourite comfort food for dinner! Enjoy some Mediterranean flavours at La Fabbrica on Christmas Eve while sipping on the finest Tuscany wine. Located just a corner away from St. Stephen Basilica, this chic Italian restaurant offers six different types of pasta, some of which also comes in gluten-free version. We especially love their filet mignon accompanied with green peppercorn sauce and roasted potatoes. To put a perfect end to Christmas Eve, indulge yourself with a delicious espresso martini or an orange-flavoured chocolate cake. After all, we all know that holiday calories do not count! 

Even though their staff takes a well-deserved rest on the 24th, La Fabbrica waits you with a special Christmas menu on the 25th of December. 

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Source: Daily News Hungary