Onyx, located in downtown Budapest, obtained two Michelin Stars and became the first in Hungary to achieve this rare standard of success. Opened in 2007, the restaurant won its first Star in 2011.

"In the city's heart is this glitzy restaurant where you sit on gilt chairs, under sparkling chandeliers, surrounded by onyx adornments. Passionate, highly skilled cooking keeps classic Hungarian flavours to the fore but also has interesting modern twists. Dishes are precisely prepared and intensely flavoured."

Michael Ellis, International Director of Michelin guides comments: “Chef Ádám Mészáros is very much a ‘home grown’ talent who brings classic Hungarian dishes up to date. Onyx is a most elegant dining experience. On the plate there is refinement, maturity and every dish is bursting with originality“.
 

Ádám Mészáros, Chef of Onyx Restaurant, also pictured at top

In the Hungarian capital there are three other Michelin starred venues, Borkonyha, Costes Restaurant and Costes Downtown all enjoy one star each.

At the recent awards a Bib Gourmand was presented to Stand 25, and a Michelin Plate went to Olimpia. Not all expats might be familiar with Olimpia, so here's The Guide’s point of view, in a nutshell: 

Fresh, light cooking is unfussy at lunch and more complex in the evening; dinner is a surprise menu served at 7pm. The local area might be uninspiring but as you step over the threshold of this bright basement restaurant, all is forgotten.

Palágyi Eszter, Chef of Costes Restaurant

The Gude says Costes is a sophisticated restaurant with immaculately dressed tables, run by a confident, experienced service team.

The talented chef uses modern techniques and a deft touch to produce accomplished, innovative dishes with clear flavours. Most diners choose the 4-7 course set menus and their interesting wine pairings.

Szabina Szulló & Tamás Széll, Chefs of Stand25

The Guide’s point of view about Stand25 goes like this: In the heart of the striking downtown market hall is this new age bistro: a fusion of steel, neon, wood and slate.

Classic menus list fresh, rustic, well-executed dishes; the chefs' signatures - goulash and potato casserole - are mainstays. Half of the tables can be booked and half are set aside for walk-ins."

Ákos Sárközi, Chef of Borkonyha

'Wine Kitchen' (Borkonyha) is, yep you guessed it, a wine-orientated restaurant. Located close to the Basilica the fortnightly menu features well-executed dishes with an elaborate modern style and subtle Hungarian influences.
 

Tiago Sabarigo, Chef of Costes Downtown

This relatively new venue within the Prestige hotel is the more informal sister to Costes, and has chic bistro styling and a friendly atmosphere.

The Guide suggests you ask to be seated in one of the booths, and describes how the refined modern dishes follow the seasons and feature excellent texture and flavour combinations. Worth noting is that they offer a good value business lunch.

About The Guide:

Published in English, the Michelin Guide Main Cities of Europe is aimed primarily at business travellers who regularly journey throughout Europe.

It is also ideal for leisure guests wishing to discover Europe’s most romantic and culturally stimulating cities. Alongside written descriptions of every establishment, the guide features useful information including city maps.

More: Guide.Michelin.com/hu

MTI Photos: Kovács Tamás