Judit has long admired Japanese culture too, and even though she spent time practicing a Buddhist discipline in Washington DC, “Japan was never an option,” she adds with a laugh, “Too much respect. Not enough knowledge.” It was Italy that truly felt like home: the food, the energy, the fashion, the music.

Now, on Bartók Béla Boulevard, Allegro Ristorante is a little slice of southern ease. Judit is not just the owner – she’s the calm center of the room. The kind of person who arrives, makes herself a drink behind the bar, and shifts the whole atmosphere simply by being present.

The food? Southern Italian in tone, collaborative in spirit. “We build the menu together,” she says. The pizzas are Neapolitan – thin, charred, and deceptively simple.

A pizzaiolo from Bari brings authenticity, but also a kind of laid-back confidence the team values. Porchetta is crispy, juicy, and “damn good,” says Judit with a grin.

The pistachio pesto gnocchi is fresh and silky. The pistachio tiramisu? A tribute to the Italian habit of turning leftovers into legend.

Even the wine list sparks debate – the good kind. “We always argue, then land on something better,” says Bianka, the manager, as she glides through the dining room. The dynamic is relaxed, but precise – like a good dinner party where everyone knows their role.

Most guests are locals, but more expats and travelers are finding Bartók Béla Boulevard, which is fast becoming a hub of food, art, and indie energy.

What’s next? Judit envisions something even looser: a space where people pop in for a cocktail, a bite, or a full meal – no booking needed, no expectations. Just a pause in the day to enjoy life, southern-style.

Allegro Ristorante & Bar 
1114 Budapest, Bartók Béla út 23.

Words by Zoltan Hevesi for Xpatloop.com