The pandemic has never stopped Budapest from being a notable venue for food-lovers and even the prestigious Michelin inspectors.
This time Essência Restaurant and SALT Budapest join Babel Budapest, Borkonyha, Costes, Costes Downtown and Stand Restaurant as holders of one Michelin star.
The team of the most recognised and feared Michelin Guide also recommends six additional restaurants in Budapest.
SALTy Szatmár and the Essência of the Portuguese-Hungarian flavours
SALT Budapest represents the vibrant palette of the northern Szatmár region. You can find this sophisticated restaurant in downtown Hotel Rum.
Owned and run by a Hungarian-Portuguese couple, Essência Restaurant – Tiago & Éva combines the best of the best of both cuisines.
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The location may be familiar for experienced foodies.
The other Michelin star restaurant on Sas street is Borkonyha, which has held a star for its flavoursome contemporary Hungarian cuisine since 2014.
Consistent and unique
Ten years ago, the currently closed Costes was the first restaurant in Hungary to earn the coveted Michelin star, and its sister restaurant Costes Downtown later achieved that standard too. 2016 was a big year for them, and they’ve kept their stars ever since.
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Matches made in heaven: Bocuse d’Or-winning chef and timeless flavours
The Essência is not the only top restaurant under the ownership of a successful couple. Tamás Széll Bocuse d’Or-winning chef, and Szabina Szulló, the former executive chef of Onyx Restaurant, opened Stand in 2018 and earned their Michelin star only a year later.
This talented culinary couple worked together at Onyx; Szabina was Tamás’ mentor and is now his life and work partner.
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2019 was an exciting time for Babel Restaurant too. Inspired by magical Transylvanian culinary traditions and vibrant Hungarian flavours, head chef István Veres creates natural yet mind-blowing fine-dining fantasies. He uses nettle, hay and other time-honoured ingredients reminding him of his childhood.
This unique concept brought well-deserved honour to the restaurant.
Six new flavoursome Michelin recommendations
Budapest also gained six new recommendations:
A little side note: where the Michelin Guide seems to strongly focus on Budapest, it’s worth visiting more countryside restaurants as many talented chefs are out there. We hope these less noted places will get more recognition pretty soon.