Looking for something special and unique, possibly characteristically Hungarian, to surprise your friends and family? Perhaps surprise them with a fun experience? Here is a list of places you can visit to find just that!
Stühmer chocolate
Originally founded by a German immigrant to Hungary in the late 19th century, after a few changes in ownership, Stühmer chocolate remains one of the most iconic Hungarian chocolate manufacturers that was popular all over Europe in the 20th century. Apart from the exquisite taste of the sweets, Stühmer chocolate is made special by its wrapping which is always beautifully decorated and extravagant.
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Stühmer Premium Chocolate 🇭🇺 (@stuhmer_chocolate) által megosztott bejegyzés
Zsolnay Porcelain
A place to go to for a luxury porcelain gift is Zsolnay porcelain, another big traditional porcelain manufacturer in Hungary. Zsolnay has been manufacturing high-quality porcelain since the mid-nineteenth century and is the symbol of the city of Pécs, where the porcelain is produced. The company has worked with many famed artists such as Victor Vasarely and József Rippl-Rónai, hence giving Zsolnay porcelain a special design.
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ZSOLNAY – since 1853 (@zsolnayofficial) által megosztott bejegyzés
Hollóházi Porcelain
Hollóházi is also an excellent place to get premium quality porcelain tea sets and other ornaments. The factory has been functioning since the mid-seventeenth century, and is therefore another great symbol of Hungarian tradition.
However, while it conserves tradition, Hollóházi Porcelain also uses recyclable materials during production, hence, adopting a new value, sustainability.
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Hollóházi Porcelán (@hollohaziporcelan) által megosztott bejegyzés
Herendi porcelain
If you are looking for a very special and elegant gift, then Herendi Porcelain is a good place to go. Founded in the early 19th century, Herendi Porcelain has been producing the finest porcelain wares from jewelry to tea sets to decorative ornaments and statues.
A custom-made tea set was also ordered by Queen Victoria from Herend in 1851, to be exhibited in the first world exposition in the same year in London. The butterfly design created for the Queen at the time is still available and tea sets with the decoration can be purchased.
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Herend Porcelain Manufactory (@herendporcelain) által megosztott bejegyzés
Vass cipő – Vass Shoes
Vass Shoes was founded in Budapest in 1978, by Laszló Vass. Ever since then, Vass shoes are made in their Budapest workshop by hand, hence, providing its customers with the best quality leather shoes.
Customers may purchase ready-to-wear shoes that are available in the shop in the 5th district, however, they also take orders for custom-made shoes, tailored specifically to the wearer’s feet. A pair of shoes from Vass Shoes is definitely a life-long and special gift.
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Vass Shoes Budapest (@vass_shoes) által megosztott bejegyzés
Bortársaság
Bortársaság founded by a group of inspired Hungarians is the place to go if you are looking for quality wine. They offer the best quality Hungarian wines from different wineries, from regions such as the Tokaj (UNESCO world heritage site), Villány, and Szekszárd. However, you will also find international wines such as Clicquot, Antinori, and Torres.
Pipacs Pékség
The story of the Pipacs Pékség bakery is a very inspiring success story – two friends decided after finishing their university degrees decided, rather than pursue office jobs, that they would move to France to learn the art of baking French sourdough bread.
A few years later they returned to Hungary and founded Pipacs, which has been supplying Budapest with high-quality French bread and other pastries that are handmade in their shop in the 3rd district. However, customers may also purchase premium quality ingredients such as flour, jams, but also wine, which can serve as a perfect gift to a special someone or a good friend.
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Pipacs Pékség Budapest Bakery (@pipacspekseg) által megosztott bejegyzés
Budapest Retro Élményközpont
Budapest Retro centre is a good place to go to if you would like to surprise your friends and family with a fun and educational experience. Here you have the opportunity to go on a small time travel and discover cold war Hungary, as it was part of the Soviet sphere of influence.
Visitors can have a look at household objects and toys from the era, as well as sit in an old Lada police car.
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Budapest Retro Élményközpont (@retromuzeum) által megosztott bejegyzés
Culinaria Italia
Located in Mammut I, Culinaria Italia is a perfect place to go for gifts. Here you will find beautifully wrapped and prepared packages of Italian delicacies, however, it is also possible to have a package custom-made for you.
The shop almost always has fresh panettone in different sizes too, which is always a good idea.
Tisza cipő
Making shoes since the early 1940s, and officially branded “Tisza Shoes” in 1971, Tisza Shoes is definitely the place to go to for authentic Hungarian street wear, and also, if you are looking for a stylish, yet practical gift.
Akademia Italia cooking school
Perhaps not a traditional Hungarian experience, but taking a cooking class in the lower level of Akademia Italia restaurant is always a fun and special experience, especially to celebrate a special occasion.
Akademia Italia is located very centrally, directly next to St. Stephen’s Basilica. You have the opportunity to book the entire lower level just for yourselves, where you can learn how to make an Italian dish of your choice from one of the restaurant’s qualified chefs.
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Akademia Italia Budapest (@akademiaitalia) által megosztott bejegyzés