Words + Shutter: Henrieta Haniskova

Four Seasons Hotel, Budabest

An example of the beautiful architecture in Budapast

Budapest remains the undiscovered and completely understated pearl of central Europe. You will love exploring its boulevards, but as soon as you turn off of one, enjoy getting lost in a web of small streets with the smell of goulash in the air. Between tall Art Nouveau apartment buildings hiding large courtyards, their crumbling, once elegant décor giving away their proud past, 16th-century Turkish baths stand quietly unadvertised in side streets. Lavish coffeehouses seduce you to walk in and order your afternoon cup, and you might even stumble upon an abandoned synagogue.

But the modern face of Budapest is not hiding. The ruins of the grand Municipal Building were painstakingly renovated over the course of four years to become one of the finest hotels in Budapest. The Four Seasons Gresham Palace offers a fantastic view of Danube. Fine ironwork and Art Nouveau swirls in mosaic tiles decorate the lobby, their exuqisite café and a piano bar. The Executive chef of the excellent Pava restaurant prepares contemporary Italian cuisine at its finest. Enjoy risotto, pasta or filet mignon, accompanied by great wines from the carefully prepared menu.

An example of the beautiful architecture in Budapest.

For intimate dining, try Marquis de Salade. The entrance may be small, but walk down to their cave-like basement with colourful tapestries decorating the walls, claim a table and order from an overwhelming menu created by eight chefs from around the world including Russia, Hungary and the Caucasus Mountains. Your dinner will be an eclectic combination of earthy but interesting dishes perfect to complement a glass of Hungarian wine.

Imperial Budapest was famous for its coffeehouse culture and even today in this coffee-driven society, skipping a coffee and dessert in the afternoon is a mortal sin. Sit down and enjoy the grand and luxurious atmosphere at a marble table in lavish surroundings at the newly reopened Central Kavehaz, originally opened in 1887, with the best coffee in town and a typical Hungarian specialty—Chicken Paprikash—a chicken in cream sauce with paprika that melts in your mouth.

An evening view of one of the streets in Budapest.

An beautiful evening view in Budapest.

 
Across the street from the Opera House at the Muvesz Kavehaz, sample a piece of Dobos torte, a multi-layered cake with a thin caramel crust on top. Or take a stroll through the City Park, soak in thermal waters of the Szechenyi Baths, and ride on the100-year-old merry-go-round before retiring at the Gundel, Budapest’s most famous restaurant, founded in 1894, with a carefully groomed garden. The menu offers traditional dishes in a modern and innovative fashion but the highlight is the famous Gundel torte, a decadently rich chocolate layer cake.
 

Four Seasons Gresham Palace Hotel: Roosevelt Tér 5-6
Marquis de Salade: VI. Hajos u. 43
Central Kavehaz: V. Karolyi Mihaly u. 9
Muvesz Kavehaz: VI. Andrassy ut. 29
Gundel Restaurant: XIV. Állatkerti út 2