You have nothing to lose but….your waistline!
Looking forward to some of those lazy weekend afternoons? Have a sweet tooth? Yep, if you’re mad about all those rich, tasty, glossy, gooey, cocoa-based sweet temptations, now you can feed both your body and your eyes.
The Dream of a Chocaholic
The phrase ’eye-candy’ will come to mean something even more wonderful when you check out some of Hungary’s favorite chocolate havens. They’re for families, for couples, for friends and even for hanging out on your own. Here are some of the best places we know to get a fix for that chocolate addiction:
Chocolate Museum, Budapest
This Willy Wonka dreamland has been the temple of hard-core chocolate fans since 2008. You can even take amazing “Chocolate Tours,” ranging from the sophisticated to the real royal treats. Don’t miss this chocolate connoisseur’s favorite place
Where? 1162 Budapest, Bekecs street 22.
Mobile: +36 30 822 1881
Opening hours (Appointment should be booked for the chocolate tours):
Mon-Fri: 8.00 – 17.00
Sat-Sun: 9.30 – 19.00
Dobos Chocolate – Gastro and Beverage Museum, Szentendre
This aromatic venue is named after the famous Hungarian confectioner and inventor of the beloved Dobos tart, József Dobos C. The museum introduces the master’s chocolate artwork and also presents other delicious masterpieces. Appointments should be booked in advance.
Where? Szentendre Nosztalgia Ház, Bogdányi u. 2.
Appointment booking: +36 26 311 660
Mad about Marzipan
Marzipan is a sweet confection that dates back to the Middle Ages, but it was brought to Europe in the 13rd Century. According to myth, the little daughter of Badrutt Mark, a local confectioner, made the first marzipan by accident around 1400 in Venice; even if not true, it’s still a sweet little story. Anyway, by that time marzipan was already the favourite of all sweet-loving European nations.
Now you can see the art of this almond-based treat at:
Szamos Marzipan Museum and Confectionery, Szentendre
The workshops and knowledge of two legendary pastry geniuses – Matyas Szamos and Karoly Szabo- run through the years of Hungarian confectionery. On the 1st floor of the Marzipan Museum, visitors will find a bounty of rich exhibition material; on the ground floor, you can even buy some of their mouth-watering pastries.
Where? 2000 Szentendre, Dumtsa Jenő street 14.
Phone: +36 26 311-931
Opening hours:
In winter: 9.00-18.00
In summer: 9.00-19.00
Kopcsik Marcipánia, Eger
You simply cannot afford to miss this spectacular marzipan exhibition, which includes a baroque room made completely of delicious marzipan! Plus, of course, you’ll find all manner of creatures sculpted out of this special sugar-based sweet paste. What more you can ask for?! All the amazing pieces were created by two-time Guinness World Record confectioner Lajos Kopcsik and his students. Mr. Kopcsik earned two prestigious Guinness awards for his 3.5-square-meter big wall picture made of sugar; he also won 10 gold medals at the Berlin Patisserie competition.
Where? 3300 Eger, Harangöntő street 4.
Phone: +36 36 412-626
Opening hours:
Mon-Sun: 10.00-18.00
For group visit you should book an appointment in advance.
Photo sources: panoramio.hu, csokolade-muzeum.hu, Wikimedia Commons