Bontxo Tapas Bar & Restaurant — Restaurant in Budapest

It’s been a while since I have been so disappointed with a dining experience in Budapest and was on a receiving end of passive aggressive behavior from staff (of a Spanish restaurant of all places)!

We had a table reserved earlier on the day (probably the fact that they had tables available on a Saturday evening was a sign that it’s doomed to be a disaster) and when we started to arrive, the reservation was not found at first (the restaurant was empty) and then when more people started to come, the greeting was lackluster at best. Definitely not what you expect when you visit a Spanish restaurant.

The design of the place is fine, nothing notable, we did have to create a makeshift lamp shade out of a paper towel so our group wouldn’t be blinded by a interrogation-style lightbulb shining in our faces.

The order process started off polite, we were offered water but went downhill from that. I wanted to order a glass white wine, the one I wanted wasn’t available but the waitress said the rest were so I picked the next one (on the same white wine page). When the drink arrived, I was given red wine. I checked first if it was my mistake but my version was corroborated by people around me so I asked to bring my actual order and the waitress started to argue saying that the red wine was definitely what I ordered (which I wouldn’t do ever in my life). Just a tip, please write down the order if it might be an issue for you to remember, it looks more professional and you don’t have to argue with your customers). Then the red wine was also offered around the table by the waitress asking if anyone wanted to take it - so bizarre, but finally the wine was taken away. Another lady brought my actual glass of white wine with such an attitude, which shouldn’t really be the case when it wasn’t my mess up in the first place.

Usually in tapas places, it’s polite to ask how you want the dishes to be brought out - all together or as they are prepared. This was not asked and we ended up in a situation where half of the table got their dishes, half didn’t. One of the orders was also forgotten so we had to remind the waitress about it after all of us almost finished (once again, consider the write down method).

The food itself was okay, I honestly don’t have much to say about it because I was distracted with the overall experience around. I got mushrooms with garlic and olives - the olives were fine, a bit watery; and the mushrooms were okay. Overall consensus around the table was that the food wasn’t good but also wasn’t bad.

The dishes were not taken away, I think only a few plates were taken by another lady from the kitchen, so we decided not to stay longer than necessary and wanted to pay the bill and leave. No one came to our table upstairs to ask if we want to pay so we had to go down and cramp into a tiny space only to be told they can’t split their bill into more than 3 (I think) ways, essentially the six of us can’t pay only for what we ordered. I get that the restaurant software is different but there are better ways to go about it rather than being borderline rude to your customers because your system can’t accommodate our needs. This is 2024, I think splitting the bill and finding a workaround to your system limitation is the least you can do to stay afloat in a competitive restaurant business (you can also use a calculator and use the bank card terminal as you please, it’s usually not restricted to what your system says). Or you can just be nice about it :)

If you want to give it a go, you can try your luck, maybe the staff will be in a better mood and equipped with a notepad to write down your order! I definitely don’t recommend to visit this place, there are far too many tapas bars with nicer staff around for me to go...

We celebrated a birthday last weekend and it turned out very badly.

We reserved a table in advance then more people joined us than expected. We got a table upstairs which was completely empty (for example they reserved a huge round table only as 'service table') so we didn't take tables from anyone. They were making faces because they had to clean a table and had to pull together 2 tables. One of us were leaving earlier and they asked her several times if she is leaving yet as then we don't have to move. The lady with glasses and very dark hair historically came up asking us 'How many other people will be joining? I have to know it NOW'. Everyone was eating and drinking so we didn't sit without ordering anything. The people joining us were stopped upon entering and they asked everyone of them if they will be the last one joining, right? with a very rude attitude.

The worst part was when around 21:30 the lady came up with the surprise cake still in its box which we took in the afternoon (after discussing it in an email with the restaurant beforehand) so the birthday girl don't see it and we discussed how we would like it to be served (after everyone ate). She took the cake up in its box and asked 'So we have a cake here. What should we do with it? Do you want to eat it here or take it home?' . Everybody was so shocked because the situation was clear that we wanted to surprise the birthday girl and she ruined it completely in a way that nobody has seen before. Then she showed how to slice it and basically dropped the knife to the celebrated hands saying 'So you slice it now'.

The payment was another issue as the lady was supposed to finish 15 minutes earlier (this was at 22:50 and the place closes at 23:00 and they still had other guests) and she started creating drama again.

Otherwise, the food was mediocre at best. I received my calamari romana which was 4 frozen rings on a salad with a quarter of lemon. The tomato toast was tasteless and dry. The Negroni we ordered was such a tiny amount...next time we asked double but there was not a big difference between the 2 portion sizes.

So if you can...avoid this places as much as you can. There are much nicer placer in Budapest for Spanish food/tapas: Padrón, Arcitecto Pitpit,...

Nestled on a tranquil side street in Budapest, this tapas bar is a true hidden gem that oozes relaxed vibes from the moment you arrive there. Our recent dining experience at this charming establishment left me thoroughly impressed with its exceptional service, delectable menu, and delightful recommendations.

From the moment we arrived, the staff greeted us with warm smiles and attentive hospitality. Their genuine passion for the culinary arts was evident as they took the time to explain each dish on the menu in great detail, ensuring that we were well-informed about the flavors and ingredients. The staff's dedication to providing an exceptional dining experience added an extra layer of enjoyment to our visit.

Now, let's talk about the food – a true culinary masterpiece. The menu boasted an array of tantalizing options, each expertly crafted and bursting with fresh flavors. The chilli shrimp dish was an absolute showstopper, perfectly balancing the spice with a tantalizing tang that left us craving more. The mussels were also exceptional, cooked to perfection and accompanied by a heavenly sauce that had us licking our fingers in delight.

Beyond the standout dishes, every tapa we sampled was a testament to the chef's skill and creativity. Each bite transported us to a world of gastronomic bliss, with an impressive variety of flavors and textures. Whether we indulged in the melt-in-your-mouth pork tenderloin, the rich and creamy patatas bravas, or the delightful bite-sized croquettes, we were met with nothing but pure culinary delight.

With its relaxed vibe, impeccable service, and a menu that showcases the finest flavors, it exceeded our expectations on every level. Whether you're a food enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable dining experience, this hidden gem is bound to leave you...