Budapest’s legendary Apostolok restaurant has reopened: savour the pinnacle of Hungarian cuisine with live music

For 122 years, the Apostolok restaurant has stood as a celebrated bastion of traditional Hungarian gastronomy near Ferenciek Square, close to the foot of the Elisabeth Bridge and alongside the popular Váci Street frequented by tourists. Its recent restoration has now been completed, and the restaurant has once again opened its doors.

Apostolok restaurant’s rich history

One of Budapest’s oldest dining establishments, located on Kígyó Street and operating since 1903, has reopened following renovation, reports MTI. At the dawn of the 20th century, in 1902–1903, János Förster established the Apostolok beer tavern in a building constructed in 1894, which today enjoys protected heritage status. Even in its earliest days, the pub stood out for its distinctive features: dimly lit booths, alcoves adorned with carved apostle heads, and a house policy emphasising sobriety and quietness.

The tavern quickly became a popular haunt, thanks to an exclusive agreement with the Pilsen brewery. It was the only place in the entire country where patrons could sample special beers such as Löwenbräu and the renowned Saint Benno ale.

Its golden age arrived during the Horthy era of the 1920s and 1930s. The celebrated writer Gyula Krúdy was a regular, capturing the establishment’s singular atmosphere in his works. He remarked that even those who did not typically drink beer were tempted by the tavern’s unique ambiance.