These are officially the best restaurants in Hungary
On 22 May, the highly anticipated Audi – Dining Guide Restaurant of the Year Award ceremony – considered one of the most prestigious recognitions in Hungarian gastronomy – took place at Várkert Bazár. Hungary’s oldest gastronomic platform evaluates hundreds of restaurants every year, determining the final ranking based on rigorous criteria.
While the Michelin star serves as an international symbol of culinary excellence, the Dining Guide Award is another significant accolade honouring members of the Hungarian restaurant scene. The event not only gathers representatives from the best local restaurants but it also operates as a gastronomic festival. During the show, the country’s finest chefs prepare exquisite delicacies for the attendees, reports Helló Magyar.
Restaurants of the year
The Audi-Dining Guide Restaurant of the Year Award went to the recently two Michelin Star-awarded Platán Gourmet Restaurant in Tata. The Platán formation, which opened in 2021, represents a unique culinary concept based on an innovative take on food and drinks preparation. The restaurant’s 12-course tasting menus feature a diverse range of ingredients, clearly reflecting the chef’s strong and distinctive fusion approach, said the jury in praise.
This year, the testers paid greater attention to alternative dining venues, of which Il Baffo by Avalon in Miskolc was named the best in 2023. Málna The Pastry Shop won the Confectionery of the Year Award, while the title of Innovative Kitchen of the Year went to the 42 Restaurant. The beautiful, orangery-style Casa Christa Restaurant in Balatonszőlős received the Lovable Restaurant of the Year Award. Last but not least, the newly-introduced Hotel of the Year Award was taken by the Matild Palace Luxury Collection Hotel in Budapest.
The Botaniq Castle of Tura – Clarisse fine dining restaurant scooped the gong of the Wine Selection of the Year Award. The Budapest-based Stand and the Mihályi Patisserie in Vác retained their titles as members of the Dining Guide Best of the Best. They both continue to represent outstanding quality in Hungary’s gastronomic scene.
Prestige and expertise
The Dining Guide Restaurant Guide has been giving away the coveted Restaurant of the Year and TOP10 Restaurant awards since 2005. This year, the reviewers visited a larger number of restaurants than usual. This was due to the increased opening, closing and conceptual changes concerning Hungarian dining establishments. Over the past 20 years, the Dining Guide’s testing methodology has continuously evolved. By today, their vision, expertise and activities undeniably meet the standards of the European restaurant guides.
Once again this year, Fausto Arrighi, the legendary former director of the Michelin Guide, assisted in the final testing process. The Italian expert has been contributing as a consultant for the Restaurant Guide for the past seven years.
Source: Helló Magyar