The MICHELIN Guide Hungary 2024 Is Out!

Two Michelin Stars

Michelin Stars are awarded to restaurants offering outstanding cooking, taking into account five universal criteria: the quality of the ingredients; the harmony of flavours; the mastery of techniques; the personality of the chef as expressed through their cuisine; and, just as importantly, consistency both across the entire menu and over time.

Platán Gourmet in Tata and Stand in Budapest both retain their Two Michelin Star status for 2024.

One Michelin Star

Pajta in Őriszentpéter, already part of the Hungarian selection, is promoted to One Michelin Star. Its name means ‘barn’, which is where it all began for Flóra and Ferenc Kvasznicza – in the small barn beside the glass-fronted restaurant. The whole complex has a natural feel, from the beautiful meadow to the two-storey, nature-inspired forest lodges 1km down the road (they arrange transportation).

Menus change with the seasons and perfectly reflect the area, championing produce from Őrség in historical Hungarian dishes. Fermenting and pickling are a feature, adding a welcome punch to the flavour-packed creations. Favourite dishes of the Michelin Inspectors included the polenta with mangalitsa bacon, cottage cheese and wild garlic; the tortellini with mushroom tea and pecorino; and the black apple salad pre-dessert.

Pajta joins the seven restaurants awarded One Star in the 2023 Guide, who all retain their distinction: Babel, Borkonyha Winekitchen, essência, Rumour and Salt in Budapest, and 42 in Esztergom.

Bib Gourmands

The Bib Gourmand award highlights restaurants which offer good quality food at a great price. For 2024, one restaurant is promoted from the main selection, while four new restaurants join The Guide directly with a Bib Gourmand.

Part of the Platán complex in Tata – which also includes a hotel and spa – the charming Platán Bisztró sits within the same historic castle outbuilding as Two Michelin Starred Platán Gourmet. Inside has a pleasingly relaxed style, while in summer guests can dine on a charming stepped terrace which borders the lake. The concise menu sees robust Hungarian dishes given a refined bistro-style makeover while still staying true to their roots. The Michelin Inspectors’ favourite dishes included the duck with Jerusalem artichoke and sesame bread, and the picture-perfect lemon bergamot tart with homemade ice cream.

Set within Budapest’s former Goldberger textile factory, Goli refers to the nickname the locals gave to this historic building. It’s a small place with a simple terrace and a colourful, cramped interior, but it’s gloriously friendly – and positive vibes simply pour out of the kitchen. Guests can sit at the counter to talk with the chefs, who are eager to guide them through the menu of fresh, tasty Middle Eastern favourites. The Michelin Inspectors complimented the vibrant salads, the green beans with chilli and lemon, and the charred entrecôte with tahini. Deliciously fruity soft drinks and cocktails enhanced their experience.

A heartening success story, Iszkor sits in the small village of Mályinka in the Bükk Mountains. A former pub, it’s now a cosy neighbourhood restaurant run by Adam and Luca, which is located in Adam’s home village. The generously proportioned, country-style dishes change with the seasons and use every part of the ingredient; the Michelin Inspectors loved the mangalitsa terrine with courgettes and lettuce from the garden. Iszkor couldn’t be a bigger part of the community: they use produce grown by the locals, in turn helping them make a living; they bring the community together by hosting events; and they even have their own ice cream parlour.

The experienced team excel at looking after their diners at N28 Wine and Kitchen in Budapest and, even on their first visit, guests will be greeted as if they’re regulars, which immediately sets a cheerful tone. The surroundings might be modern, but there’s a traditional element to the menu, which looks to the Hungarian larder for its base. Expect seasonally changing dishes, with the Michelin Inspectors’ favourites including a tasty vichyssoise soup, juicy wild boar and a delicious poppy seed cake. 95% of the wines are Hungarian.

If you’re in eastern Hungary, it’s worth heading over to the ultra-modern Újváros Bisztró in Szarvas, which sits on the banks of the Holt-Körös River. It's accessed via steps that lead to the river path, where there’s also a charming terrace with views of Bolza Castle. The menu showcases refined Hungarian dishes presented in a modern style, with catfish a feature, as well as steaks from Hungary, Uruguay and Australia (Wagyu). The Michelin Inspectors were fans of the catfish stew with cottage cheese pasta and roasted bacon, as well as the rigo janos for dessert.

These join the six restaurants that retain their Bib Gourmand awards from last year: Anyukám Mondta, Encs; Casa Christa, Balatonszőlős; Kistücsok, Balatonszemes; Macok, Eger; Morzsa, Pécs; and Sparhelt, Balatonfüred.

Green Stars

The Michelin Green Star highlights restaurants within The MICHELIN Guide selections which are at the forefront of the industry when it comes to their practices regarding sustainable gastronomy. These restaurants offer dining experiences that combine culinary excellence with outstanding eco-friendly commitments and are a source of inspiration both for keen foodies and the hospitality industry as a whole.

This year's recipients are:
Graefl Major Kétútköz, Poroszló
Natura Hill, Zebegény - New Distinction
Onyx Mühely, Budapest
Salt, Budapest
Villa Kabala, Szigliget

Hungary’s new Green Star for 2024 is the sustainably led Natura Hill. Here, the kitchen follows a natural, ‘slow food’ ethos, with ingredients from their nearby farm and the local area underpinning the cooking, and menus evolving twice a day as new produce arrives. The resulting dishes are fresh, unfussy and vibrantly flavoured – delivered via a ‘Spontaneous Bistro Lunch’ in the middle of the day and in a tasting menu format in the evening. The Michelin Inspectors really felt the spirit of the Green Star in the delicious green bean soup and the millet with apricots.

And that’s not all Natura Hill has to offer: the two-hectare estate high up on a hill affords breathtaking Danube Bend views, which become all the more special at sunset. An overnight stay in one of their bedrooms is a must, with the holistic experience including a sauna and wellness centre.

Main Selection

57 restaurants feature in the main selection this year, with 10 joining the selection for the first time:

Alelí, Budapest
Bilanx, Budapest
Cut & Barrel, Budapest
Füge, Biatorbágy
KOLLÁZS, Budapest
SHO TIHANY, Tihany
Szaletly, Budapest
Teyföl, Szentendre
VIRTU, Budapest
Zazie Bistro, Budapest

Special Awards

While The MICHELIN Guide’s culinary distinctions are awarded to a restaurant as a whole, the Michelin Special Awards are given to outstanding individuals and teams who, thanks to their infinite passion and considerable skills, can make a restaurant experience unforgettable.

This year's winners are:

Opening of the Year Award – Ádám Pohner (at restaurant Iszkor in Mályinka), for his great value Hungarian dishes which are prepared with love and care and are generous in both flavour and spirit. In such a short space of time, he and his partner Luca have gained the hearts of the local community, bringing them together in many different ways. Firstly, they have created a sustainable mini ecosystem, with the locals supporting them by supplying produce, which in turn helps the villagers make a living themselves. Secondly, they have given the community a place to meet, with open-air cinema screenings, live music events and a Christmas Fair all on the annual agenda.

Young Chef Award – Levente Lendvai (at restaurant VIRTU in Budapest), for his pleasing mix of modern and classically based dishes. At just 27 years old, Levente already has a true understanding of flavours, balance and the care required to serve something special to every guest. Quality is a watchword here and his skilled techniques and judicious seasoning result in flavour-packed dishes that are a joy to eat. Hungarian flavours are to the fore in dishes like a lightly smoked fillet of catfish with plump river prawns, served in creamy buttermilk sauce and cut with a vibrant herb oil.

Service Award – Ivett Lisztes and the Team at N28 Wine and Kitchen in Budapest, for their outstanding welcome. From the moment guests step through the door they are treated as regulars, with an extremely warm and genuine welcome that brings a smile to everyone’s faces and sets the tone for proceedings. The core members of the team come from the former Bock Bisztró and their experience shines through and permeates into the newer recruits. Service remains professional at all times, but also comes with an infectious sense of humour, and guests can’t help but leave here feeling happy.

Sommelier Award – Mátyás Székely (at restaurant 42 in Esztergom) for his impressively curated wine cellar that oenophiles will love. Having started at restaurant 42 in March 2024, Mátyás has revamped the wine offering and made it his own. He has a strong knowledge of his subject and, when he feels a particular wine would match a dish, gently encourages guests to select the best pairing. He asks the right questions, listens carefully to diners’ responses, and is gentle and endearing in his approach. He also presents the options with passion and clarity, making even the less-experienced feel at home.

Congratulations to all those selected as part of this year's MICHELIN Guide Hungary!

Hero Image: Natura Hill, Zebegény (© Balkányi László)