Top 5+1 must-visit restaurants at Lake Balaton
It is easy to work up an appetite while visiting Lake Balaton from all the fun activities and swimming. However, you may not want to eat microwaved pancakes or other cheap snacks at the beach day after day… If you have a more sophisticated palate and are looking for recommendations on where to grab a bite around the lake, you have come to the right place.
As Pénzcentrum reported, the Hungarian gastronomy scene went through a major transformation in the last couple of years. From nostalgic retro foods to a wide variety of lángosh specialties and a mushrooming number of fine dining spots offering exquisite Hungarian dishes, the Balaton region is becoming a culinary force to be reckoned with. However, with the ever-growing inflation, restaurants are struggling hard to keep their businesses afloat, which you can read more about HERE. Nevertheless, there are still some pretty good restaurants out there, which are not threatened by the closures.
In this piece, we have gathered the top 5+1 restaurants at Lake Balaton. The first three restaurants are on the northern shore, while the other three are located on the southern shore of the lake. Therefore, everyone can find a restaurant within easy reach.
1 Kandalló Csopak (Csopak)
This restaurant is operated by the same owner as Kandalló restaurant in Budapest. If you crave a juicy hamburger and want to refresh with a glass of unique craft beer by the beach, this is the perfect spot for you. The pub gives off a classic American vibe but with a Hungarian twist. The prices are about the same as in their Budapest restaurant. A burger with fries and coleslaw costs more or less HUF 4,590 (EUR 12.5).
2 Vánkos Guesthouse and Bistro (Badacsonyörs)
Vánkos operates both as a guesthouse and a bistro; therefore, it’s an excellent choice if you want to spend the night at the lake. The bistro offers a wide variety of brunch meals, typical Hungarian breakfast and many other dishes. There are plenty of lunch and dinner options too. You can try the mangalica sausage for HUF 3,650 (EUR 10), or if you are looking for something lighter go for the charcoal-roasted trout priced at HUF 5,650 (EUR 15.5).
3 Tihanyi Vinarius (Tihany)
Who doesn’t like sipping on a glass of wine in a balmy summer night? Tihanyi Vinarius, the 200-year-old wine cellar awaits wine lovers with stunning vistas and the finest produce in the entire region. There are more than 60 styles available to savour. The menu consists of classic Hungarian dishes, for example, beef cheeks in red wine sauce or Bakony-style betyár (outlaw) soup. The prices range from HUF 2,990 (EUR 8) to HUF 6,990 (EUR 19).
4 Egy Csipet Nádas (Siófok-Töreki)
This cosy restaurant is located next to a forest. The menu is always changing, as there is a gastronomical theme for each week. However, there is a permanent menu as well, consisting of Italian dishes. A pizza is around HUF 4,000 (EUR 11), while BBQ plates with a side dish are approximately HUF 6,450 (EUR 17.5) each.
5 Kedvesem Bistro (Balatonlelle)
This bistro offers authentic Hungarian dishes and other specialties. You can try the country’s beloved meat soup for HUF 1,790 (EUR 5) or a true classic, Wiener Schnitzel with potato salad, for HUF 4,290 (EUR 12). The menu is pretty expansive, so surely everyone can find something to their liking.
5+1 Lokal47 Small plate restaurant and wine bar (Kéthely)
The last venue on the list is a very special restaurant near Lake Balaton. Lokal47 was included in the Michelin Guide last year. Their menu is based on the so-called small plate concept. The restaurant only uses the finest zero-kilometre ingredients and the small dishes are accompanied by delicious local wine. The highlights of the menu are the roast wild boar with homemade mayonnaise and summer salad for HUF 3,800 (EUR 10) and the warthog roe with beetroot and goat cheese for HUF 2,800 (EUR 8).
