Cafe Vian Gozsdu Udvar — Restaurant in Budapest

Prepare to be whisked away on a culinary adventure as I share my memorable experience at Café Vian in Budapest!

Picture this: It was a balmy Friday night, and I’ve just landed in Budapest for the first time ever. My taste buds were yearning for a taste of Hungary. As a solo explorer during this business trip, I walk down a few street from the hotel and by accident, I landed in the wild Corredor of this historic alleyway, where nightclubs pubs, strip clubs and restaurants, all collide in one place…

Looking for a good place to eat, and people watch, I set foot in Café Vian, ready to indulge in their tantalizing offerings.

The moment I entered, I was greeted by an enchanting ambiance that effortlessly blended the perfected atmosphere that beckoned diners to unwind and savor every moment. The soft glow of the lighting and the hums of conversations created a perfect backdrop for what was to come.

My culinary journey began with a bold choice: the Hungarian chicken paprikash with dumplings. As the dish arrived, the tantalizing aroma filled the air, igniting my senses. The tender chicken, bathed in a rich and flavorful paprika-infused sauce, was a true homage to Hungarian cuisine. Accompanied by pillowy dumplings that melted in my mouth, it was a symphony of flavors that left me craving more.

To complement this feast, I opted for a pint of cold local beer, a refreshing companion that elevated the experience. The combination of the hearty chicken paprikash and the crisp, golden beer was a match made in culinary heaven…. or something like that.

Café Vian, with its illustrious 23-year history, is a solid dining destination in Budapest and I recommend it to you.

Their dedication to providing an exceptional experience is evident in every aspect of their service. From their diverse menu, catering to both Hungarian classics and French delicacies, to the attentiveness of the friendly staff.

For me personally, a huge plus to this restaurant is that Café Vian offers more than just a good dining experience; it's a great place for observation and connection. As I sat there, basking in the inviting ambiance, I couldn't help but immerse myself in the delightful art of people-watching. It was a spectacle of diverse characters, each with their own stories, converging in this vibrant setting. Café Vian truly provides the ideal backdrop for creating memories and enjoying the company of friends.

So, whether you find yourself yearning for an exceptional cup of coffee, a sumptuous meal, or a slice of indulgent homemade dessert, Café Vian is the answer to...

We phoned up and booked a table for 11.15pm as it says the premises is open till 1am. We arrived and there was a poster on the door saying we serve food everyday until 12am. We were sat down and greeted by a young ish waitress who didn’t seem happy to be there whatsoever and made us feel like a burden. We sat in the corner at the front of the restaurant outside. It took around 15 minutes to take our order despite telling us we had to order and eat within an hour (she didn’t explain why and we were confused). The drinks arrived at 11.35. They were nice. I had tried to order bolognaise only to be told they didn’t sell it, it was on the menu and I saw somebody else eating it in the restaurant. I can only presume the waitress didn’t want me to have it because it took too long and she wanted to go home.

The food arrived, I had tomato pasta and it was potentially the worst meal I have had in a long time and by far the worst in Budapest. It was covered in some cheese that can only be described as cheap and the sauce was the definition of watery. Aldi so far better jar sauces. Whilst we were eating, around 5 minutes in, the gormless looking waitress gave us our bill and asked cash or card and proceeded to hover the card machines around. 5 minutes later she came over and told us we had 10 minutes left. Let’s remember she hasn’t even asked if the food was okay and if we needed anything. With two minutes left the horrible waitress came over and held two fingers up in front of our faces and awkwardly grinned. We downed our drinks and left only to see that inside the restaurant, people had not left and we’re having desserts brought out to them. We had asked the waitress when we ordered the main if we could order a dessert at the same time to which she straight up told us no. We had specifically booked over the phone where they told us we could order up until midnight and so they knew this was our plan. Nonetheless, I wouldn’t have wanted to spend another penny in that place wasted on dessert. Not to mention, there is a service charge automatically added in to the bill which was salt in the wounds. I can only describe this experience as horrific and the worst dining experience...

It never bodes well when you have to look at the pictures on Google Maps to remember a place. It means that I've deliberately scrubbed it from memory. However, it's back ... and I have to admit to not enjoying it here at all.

This restaurant is as the end of a very long street of eateries. I can't recall why ... but this one called to us as it seemed to promise something different from all the others. And that it did. It offered cold food, a very long wait for everything and dreadful service.

You might be reading this thinking I'm one of those who make negative reviews. I can promise you I don't! But this restaurant takes the biscuit.

I wouldn't mind if the place was busy but it wasn't. It took over 65 mins between ordering the food and getting it. In this time the staff all but avoided coming near us. At one point our waitress (who I believe went on a break to avoid us) even prioritised putting candles on tables before coming to get a drinks order. And there were a lot of empty tables on which to put her candles.

When the food finally arrived it looked dry and overcooked. One meal looked so bad it came on a small metal plate I believe people used in the war. I wish I'd taken photos :(

Everything else was cold or luke warm.

The staff, of which there were 4 standing around, seemed completely indifferent to working there. In fact, the only one "working" was out waitress who went missing.

I really wouldn't rate the place. I hate writing negative reviews ... really ... I do. But when your sole job is to serve hot, fresh food and keep the customers plied with drink, and you can't do that ... I can't do anything else...