One of my first memories of life in Budapest is being berated for not liking fish soup, more precisely the Hungarian version of it, the much loved ‘halászlé’, literally fisherman’s broth. The reason for that, I slowly discovered, was the fish itself: Hungary being a landlocked country, all typical dishes are made from sweet water fish, which I don’t much fancy. Salt water fish, as I discovered while studying in Finland, is another matter altogether, and I kept dreaming in vain of fresh salmon for years.
All that changed when The Big Fish, Budapest’s first sea food bistro, as per their own description, opened on Andrássy street: their philosophy is to bring salt water fish as fresh as possible to Hungary, which is of course no mean feat. As a result, their offer varies slightly from day to day, depending on the latest imported catch, though I am happy to report that salmon is always available. You order at the bar, upon having inspected the fish of your choice, and various side dishes are available to go with it, plus of course wines, with an obvious focus on whites, which go better with most fish.
They also opted for French vibes: their fish soup is essentially a bouillabaisse and the waiters come clad in Breton stripes. It’s not over the top, though, and the atmosphere feels authentic. Every now and then, while tasting my salmon and sipping a Chardonnay, the metallic rumble of Andrássy boulevard sounds almost like the sea.
Explore cities like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Budapest guide.
"Lion's Locker" in Budapest is a cute family-run cafe where I can stay all day. The staff is all wonderful - and they know how to make almond milk foam!
By
"Arán Bakery Budapest" fuels my dreams with sourdough bread like my grandmother made it and delicious cinnamon rolls...
By
"Sport Bisztró" in Budapest is a pleasantly familiar, well-oiled haunt that sticks to the proverb 'healthy mind in a healthy body!' Great sports bar, too.
By
"Nos a Hely" is a pop-up vintage shop in Hungary - they have a carefully curated selection of vintage porcelain and other local items. Great for gifts!
By
"Pogány-torony", or Pagan Tower, in Budapest, is one of the city's strangest buildings, with a Gothic folk-tale-meets-Tolkien charm...
By
"Szeráj Turkish Restaurant" in Budapest, but that's not all! This place is the great leveler: here you can meet anyone, from hungry students to TV stars...
By
"Kéhli" Restaurant in Budapest not only has excellent food and gypsy bands -- the best thing about it is that you get a taste of life in the golden age...
By
The Japanese garden hidden in a leafy corner of Zugló. It was created in 1928 by Márton Varga and followed Japanese principles as much as possible...
By
The Garden at Brody House is a hidden spot with rich history, serving amazing Turkish cuisine in a cozy courtyard. Good luck choosing!
By
Kieselback Gallery showcases Hungary’s greatest art, from classics to modern works. Free entry, quiet rooms, and nearby cafés make a very special place.
By
Rengeteg is a cozy dreamworld with very old, strange furniture, tons of teddy bears, and calm French music in the background — be warned it may take a while!
By
Flippermúzeum in Budapest is a pinball museum, but museum might be the wrong word here - you can play with every exhibit, and it's fun for everyone!
By
0 Insider Tips from Locals
Authentic Stories
Escape the Crowds
Full Access to our Budapest Blog & App!
✓ 0 Hidden Gems only Locals know
✓ Full Access to the Budapest City Blog & App!