Top Christmas offers in Budapest: Festive menus and takeaway feasts from the city’s best restaurants
This December, Budapest’s dining scene is once again filled with festive sparkle. Restaurants across the city are preparing creative Christmas menus, reimagined classics, and holiday dishes available for home delivery. From the fresh flavours of modern bistro cuisine to traditional Hungarian favourites, this year’s festive selection is united by quality, care, and the magic of Christmas. Our roundup highlights some of the most outstanding menus of the season—perfect for adding festive cheer to your table, whether you dine out or celebrate at home.
Christmas menus for dining in
GRUMPY: Seasonal classics with a modern twist
The all-day brunch hotspot GRUMPY is serving a festive menu that blends traditional seasonal dishes with contemporary bistro flair. Available between 15 and 28 December, the selection is designed to impress from the very first course. Duck rillettes with crusty sourdough and French cornichons offer a perfect start, followed by classics such as beef tartare or a silky goose liver mousse served with brioche.
Among the mains, diners will find a light salmon steak with champagne sauce and baby spinach, as well as oven-roasted duck leg with red cabbage—an indispensable festive staple. Another highlight is the breaded carp fillet with homemade French salad, a beloved Christmas dish in many Hungarian households. For dessert, the traditional poppy seed bread pudding with vanilla custard brings nostalgic comfort, while “My Mum’s Gerbeaud Cake”, a family recipe by owner Szilvia Ispán, is a treat for lovers of homemade flavours. The menu is complemented by carefully selected wines, including Ipacs-Szabó Nászút Helyett and Cabernet Franc, and Arthur Metz Crémant Cuvée 1904 Brut NV.
Prices:
- Duck rillettes with French cornichons and sourdough – 2,950 HUF
- Beef tartare – 3,950 HUF
- Goose liver mousse with brioche and red onion chutney – 4,550 HUF
- Salmon steak with champagne sauce, steamed baby spinach, and pumpkin gratin – 5,650 HUF
- Oven-roasted duck leg with red cabbage and mashed potatoes – 4,550 HUF
- Breaded carp fillet with homemade French salad – 3,750 HUF
- Poppy seed bread pudding with vanilla custard – 1,950 HUF
- “Mum’s Gerbeaud Cake” – 1,250 HUF
Zazie Bistro & Bar: A modern take on festive flavours
The Michelin-recommended Zazie Bistro & Bar offers a December chef’s menu that is fresh, creative, and exciting, showcasing both the richness of winter flavours and the playfulness of contemporary bistro cuisine. Chef Tamás Endrész-Nagy presents a pumpkin and beluga lentil salad with green apple and pumpkin seed pesto as a rich yet refreshing starter, while the salmon tartare with avocado cream, nori rice crisp, and yuzu evokes a clean, Japanese-inspired taste profile.
The festive selection includes two distinctive soups: a classic Christmas catfish fisherman’s soup and a creamy carrot soup served with honey-roasted carrot and sushi ginger for a modern winter twist. Among the mains, the confit duck leg with cabbage and potato noodles highlights an elegant reinterpretation of Hungarian cuisine, while the barley-stuffed cabbage with Mangalica bacon elevates holiday tradition to a premium level. Vegetarian guests can enjoy sweet potato cannelloni with sage brown butter. The dessert options include a classic Gerbeaud cake and a modernised Black Forest interpretation.
Spago Budapest: Luxury meets tradition
Michelin-recommended Spago Budapest once again celebrates Christmas with a luxurious yet tradition-inspired experience. On 24 December, guests are invited to an exclusive five-course Christmas dinner crafted by Executive Chef István Szántó from the season’s finest ingredients. The evening opens with an elegant welcome drink, followed by a refined duck liver trio and a rich Mediterranean-style fish soup, preparing the palate for one of the menu’s highlights: butter-seared lamb loin. The festive journey concludes with a pine honey and chestnut Christmas log, offering a beautifully seasonal finale.
Festive takeaway options
Gléda Vendéglő: Homestyle comfort for Christmas at home
Led by chef János Deli, the Buda-based Gléda Vendéglő once again offers a comforting festive takeaway menu for those wishing to enjoy a homely Christmas dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. The selection includes catfish fisherman’s soup—optionally available with assorted fish specialities—and confit duck leg served with orange-flavoured lentil stew, a refreshing alternative for the festive table.
Naturally, Gléda’s famous stuffed cabbage also makes an appearance, a long-time favourite among guests. Classic walnut and poppy seed bejgli complete the dessert selection, both prepared to the restaurant’s signature standard. Orders can be collected on 23 December, ensuring everything arrives fresh and ready for the holiday meal.
Spago Budapest: The legendary takeaway turkey feast
For those celebrating at home, Michelin-recommended Spago Budapest is once again offering its iconic takeaway turkey feast, curated by Executive Chef István Szántó. Designed to serve 8–10 people, the centrepiece is a whole roasted Norfolk bronze turkey, accompanied by creamy ratte potato purée, bacon-braised vegetables, apple and mulled wine red cabbage, and a classic herb stuffing. Mandarin cranberry sauce and roasted turkey gravy complete the rich, harmonious flavour profile.
The feast is available to order for collection between 23 and 26 December, making it the perfect choice for anyone planning a family gathering and wishing to enjoy Spago’s exceptional quality at home—without compromise.