Bigfish Seafood Bistro — Restaurant in Budapest

I stayed in Budapest for 4 nights and every restaurant I chose didn't let me down at all. Actually I was saying that the food in this capital is amazing! I kept Bigfish Bistro for my last day and, boy, I totally regret it. To begin, I entered in an empty restaurant (only 2 tables at the time-630pm) where all the staff was behind the till and not at the main floor. One of them asked what I would like, I gave my name and another member of the staff came and showed me my table. He explained me that at the Bigfish there is no English menu (!), and all the guests must go to the bar and order both drinks and food (!!). I was surprised by that but I said let's give it a try. There only 4 starters to choose from and the 'wine list' was literally on A5 paper! A place with fresh fish and these prices, I expected it something way better. The choices were extremely poor. In a local pub I can find twice the menu. Even though my instinct told me to go elsewhere, I was so tired and hungry, that I said, let's give it a chance. I ordered on the till and the wine came as normal after 2 minutes and after one more minute they brought me the starter. I had just sat down and I already had my starter! I felt like I am on a rush for some reason. Since I want to be fair, the octopus was great. Looked like a big portion but it wasn't though. I had mussels for main, which was very average. I can find it anywhere really. The sauce was almost tasteless and unseasoned. I tried to eat a lot of bread too because I was really hungry. For the mains, nobody checked on me if the food is good or not which is the most standard thing to do. On the contrary, the staff (which by way the place was overstaffed for that dinner service) almost the whole time was behind the till and chatting with each-other and the chefs. There was a person who seemed like a supervisor (I hope not the manager!) but he barely moved for 50 minutes. After that another server came and cleared the table and asked me for dessert. By that time I had already made my mind and I wanted to leave as soon as possible. I asked for the bill. A young girl came to me and gave it to me and asked if everything is ok. I gave my feedback about starter and main, she was polite and apologised. By the way, and the first server was very polite with me. When I checked the bill, I saw a 15% service charge on top. I am managing hospitality establishments and I always tip the staff because I can feel their pain. I didn't say anything, even though it was completely ridiculous that I paid 15% service charge to a place where I personally had to ordered at the bar, no check backs for my food, no suggestions for wines, no actual menu on the table etc. I paid £60/66 euros for tow basic Riesling wine glasses, an octopus carpaccio and mussels (!!!) and I left, and believe it or not, I stopped to a fast food to have a sandwich because I was hungry! Overall, really bad experience and I hate myself that I left this one for last, because now I have a bitter taste in my mouth even though I had such a good time in Budapest the last 4 days. The only reason I put 2 stars instead of 1, is the starter I had and the politeness of the servers. This place could be much better with the right guidance. Really, really...

Big Fish Seafood is truly a gem for anyone who loves fresh and high-quality seafood. The concept is a wonderful mix between à la carte dining and the option to choose directly from the counter, where an impressive selection of the freshest fish and seafood is beautifully displayed. You can pick what catches your eye and have it prepared exactly the way you like — a unique experience that makes the meal both personal and exciting. The variety is outstanding, and every dish we tried spoke for itself in terms of flavor and quality. While the starters were not exactly my cup of tea — for me, the fish got a little bit lost in the preparation — I still found them very interesting and well worth trying. Of course, that’s just my personal perspective. The ambiance strikes a perfect balance between relaxed and elegant, making it ideal for both casual dining and a more refined evening out.

A special mention must go to the service, which was absolutely remarkable. The staff is attentive, genuinely friendly, and you can feel that they truly care about giving you the best possible time. Our waiter, Abel, deserves the highest praise: he recommended excellent wines that paired perfectly with our dishes, always greeted us with a warm smile, and even surprised us with a shot he suggested — a perfect finish that rounded off the dining experience beautifully.

Thank you, Abel, for making our evening so memorable! We will definitely return and highly recommend Big Fish Seafood to anyone...

Although I appreciate creativity in cuisine, I have a deep preference for authenticity, especially when it comes to preserving the true essence of the ingredients. I hold in high regard any dish that respects and maintains the original flavor, particularly when it comes to seafood. I've read some complaints about fish being "tasteless," but I believe that is how it should be—delicate and subtle. Any additional seasoning, such as salt, can easily be adjusted to one's preference at the table.

I ordered the octopus carpaccio, and just thinking about it brings a smile to my face—it was exquisite. I also indulged in two types of oysters, both impeccably shucked, clean, and fresh. For my main course, I opted for the sea bass. Dining alone, I hadn’t realized the size of the fish as it lay hidden beneath the ice. When it was brought to the table, I momentarily regretted my choice due to its sheer size. Fortunately, I have a hearty appetite and managed to finish it all with satisfaction.

I paired my seafood with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. While the wine was somewhat mediocre—perhaps due to my selection of a more affordable option—it still complemented the meal. Overall, it was a truly wonderful...