Fakanál Étterem — Restaurant in Budapest

Our first journey from Berlin, Germany through Eastern European countries to Hungary was a masterpiece in motion—an unforgettable tapestry of shifting landscapes, rich cuisines, and lively encounters with people from every walk of life. Travel far, meet people, and listen to the countless beautiful stories waiting for you in Budapest, Hungary. Food, culinary traditions, and local markets offer a window into a nation’s culture—shaped by history, hardship, and joy, distilled into humble, flavorful forms. The Central Market is the perfect first stop to meet locals and soak in everyday life. At Fakanel Etterem, we discovered hearty Hungarian dishes, simple yet soul-warming, served with genuine hospitality. The most meaningful moments often arrive unannounced. You don’t know what’s on the menu; you point, you hope, and you trust the experience. Sitting by the window, surrounded by a language you don’t understand, you feel strangely calm. Your heart quietly opens to the unknown. For once, no one expects anything from you. You are invisible, unburdened. And sometimes, the deepest peace is found in being unknown.

Are we defined by how we use our time—or by what time quietly does to us? Goodbye, my favorite strangers. Thank you for leaving me with a memory that will...

The food was neither good nor bad, but considering the price, I definitely think there are better options available.

The girl at the entrance was friendly, but the waiter who helped with the food in the dining area was rude and indifferent.

The violinist was technically skilled, and the ambiance was nice, but when interacting with each table, he deliberately skipped ours and went to the next one. He only came to our table as we were almost finished with our meal. When we tried to explain that we were about to leave, he turned away before we could even finish apologizing. This made me feel that he should be ashamed of himself—his music seemed to be solely for tips. As a violinist, I found his performance rather tacky, as it was clearly just a ploy for money.

When it came time to pay, I noticed an automatic service charge of around 5-6 euros. Honestly, if the service had been good, I would have happily tipped 15%, but since we ordered everything ourselves and considering the violinist’s attitude, it felt completely unjustified.

To sum up: a friendly host, mediocre food, prices that don’t match the quality, unjustified overcharged mandatory service fee, and a rude violinist left me with a rather negative impression of restaurant, and unfortunately, of...

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three traditional Hungarian dishes purchased at Vásárliget KFT (in Central Market Hall, Budapest): Galuska (1 Adag) – 1,000 HUF • Description: Galuska is a type of Hungarian dumpling or noodle, often served as a side dish. It’s similar to German spaetzle—soft, small, and tender dough pieces boiled and sometimes sautéed with butter. Sertéspörkölt (1 Adag) – 3,500 HUF • Description: Sertéspörkölt is pork stew, one of Hungary’s most iconic dishes. It features tender pork cooked slowly with onions, paprika, and other spices, creating a rich and flavorful sauce. It’s often served with galuska or bread to soak up the sauce. Töltött Káposzta (1 Adag) – 3,500 HUF • Description: Töltött Káposzta is stuffed cabbage rolls. Cabbage leaves are filled with a mixture of minced pork, rice, and spices, then cooked in a tomato-paprika sauce. It’s typically served with sour cream for a creamy, tangy finish.

Total: 8,000 HUF (around 22.86 EUR at 350 HUF/EUR exchange rate).

These dishes are hearty, flavorful, and deeply tied to Hungary’s culinary traditions—perfect for a local...