Kacsa Étterem — Restaurant in Budapest

This review is not about the food but rather the unacceptable behavior of the restaurant staff. For a specialized “duck” restaurant, the duck dishes were indeed excellent. However, the experience was overshadowed by their attitude and lack of professionalism. At the end of our meal, we were presented with a bill exceeding HUF 90,000 (approximately $225) for five people. For that price, I can enjoy better food and superior service in California. Hidden within the bill was a HUF 10,000 service charge, which could easily be missed if you don't read Hungarian. To make matters worse, they informed us that their card payment system wasn’t working, and it was cash-only payment, leaving us unable to pay with a credit card. Like most travelers in Budapest, we hadn’t been carrying large amounts of cash, as every other establishment we visited accepted credit cards. When I asked why this wasn’t mentioned when we arrived, the woman who brought the bill (not our server) simply shrugged. I asked for the nearest ATM, and her dismissive response was, “I have no idea.” Instead of offering a solution, she suggested we just wait and see if the card system started working again. Her arrogance forced my husband and son to search for a nearby ATM, a twelve-minute round trip, while the rest of us waited awkwardly. During this time, the staff didn’t offer us so much as a coffee for the inconvenience. Since then, I’ve read the manager’s defensive and unprofessional responses to other negative reviews, and I regret not checking them beforehand. Had I known, we would have skipped this place entirely. We chose “Kacsa” as a special treat during a tough trip—we had been unwell with cold all week in Budapest. On our final night, we wanted to honor our tradition of eating duck at Christmas, which we had missed this year. We brought my 72-year-old mother, whose request to pack her untouched duck thigh with my son’s leftover stew was met with mockery from the waiter. Worse still, there were no other guests, and it was so quiet in the restaurant that we overheard derogatory comments from the kitchen, which made her feel humiliated. Thankfully, my son lightened the mood with humor, joking that if they thought we weren’t “classy” enough, they should wait until they saw us pay with an EBT card. We laughed, but the experience left a bitter taste. I can’t help but feel their refusal to allow card payments was retaliatory.

Thank you for your reply. After reading your dismissive and arrogant responses to other negative reviews, I didn’t expect anything different from you. I intentionally avoided mentioning in my review that I was born in Hungary because I suspected you might resort to personal attacks, and unfortunately, you have confirmed my suspicions. By focusing on my nationality rather than the issues raised, you’ve demonstrated that profiling your guests takes precedence over customer service.

As someone who was proud to bring my family back to Hungary after over 20 years, my disappointment with your restaurant was especially acute. Decades ago, it was common for certain businesses to take advantage of foreigners, as my husband experienced. However, during our recent stay in Budapest, I was pleased to see how much has changed—except, it seems, in places like yours.

Your comment about me “acting Californian” is puzzling, given that I was speaking Hungarian. My nationality is irrelevant here, and attempting to shift the focus away from your service shortcomings only highlights the lack of accountability. In a city where credit card payments are common, your failure to inform guests about the cash-only policy is a clear service gap, and your response to my concern was dismissive.

A professional reply would have taken responsibility, offered an apology, and reassured me that communication with future guests would improve. Instead, your defensiveness and unwillingness to address legitimate feedback risks further damaging...

From the moment we stepped into Kacsa Étterem, we were enveloped in an atmosphere of timeless charm and warm hospitality that made our evening extraordinary. Nestled in the heart of Budapest’s Buda side, this gem of a restaurant delivers an authentic Hungarian dining experience that’s nothing short of magical. With its elegant yet cozy decor, featuring antique clocks, paintings, and crisp white tablecloths, Kacsa feels like stepping into a cultured family’s dining room – quirky, sophisticated, and utterly welcoming.

The food was an absolute highlight, showcasing the best of Hungarian cuisine with a focus on their renowned duck dishes. The crispy roast duck with sour cherries was a standout, perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor, while the goulash soup and apple strudel were equally delightful, offering generous portions of rich, traditional fare. The menu is extensive, with options for every palate, including vegetarian and gluten-free dishes clearly marked for ease. Paired with an impressive selection of Hungarian wines, each dish was elevated to a new level of indulgence. The value is remarkable too – the three-course set menu is both affordable and satisfying, making fine dining accessible without compromising quality.

What truly set this evening apart was the live music from the talented violinist and pianist, who brought the restaurant to life with their heartfelt performances. Their ability to tailor songs to customers’ wishes was a personal touch that made us feel so special. When they played The Blue Danube and the stirring Csárdás, the melodies filled the room with an emotional resonance that gave us chills – it was as if the music was speaking directly to our hearts. The violinist even came to our table, engaging with us warmly and making the experience feel intimate and unforgettable. This wasn’t just background music; it was a soulful celebration of Hungarian culture that lifted our spirits and made us forget the world outside.

The service was impeccable, with staff who were not only professional but genuinely kind and attentive, offering thoughtful wine recommendations and ensuring every detail was perfect. Their smiles and warmth made us feel like honored guests in their home. Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner, a family gathering, or a solo treat, Kacsa Étterem delivers an experience that lingers long after the last note fades. We left with full hearts and happy memories, already looking forward to our next visit to this Budapest treasure. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a night of culinary delight and...

I booked this restaurant one month in advance via e-mail for our final night in Budapest because we wanted to end that part of the trip with some traditional food and music. We arrived two minutes early only to be "greeted" by one of the waiters with a snide remark that they will seat us, but they should not really have to because we phoned our reservation in and then arrived late! We were shocked by this "greeting". I said that we were early and that we booked a month ago via e-mail. His reaction indicated that he clearly thought that we were lying. I was dumbfounded beyond belief. My wife wanted to leave immediately, but I asked to see the reservation book. They dismissed this request and pressured us to be seated (while still acting like they were doing us a favor). Before I would order I demanded to see the reservation book.They reluctantly brought it, vaguely admitted I was correct, but in no way acknowledged their egregious error or apologized. It went VERY downhill from there. We did not order any food. They actually expected us to not only have dinner and enjoy it, but they acted like we should still be happy they saved a seat for us! Things became very heated, my wife walked out and at that point the couple at the table next to us said "We're sorry, we phoned in the reservation and arrived late". Even this did not get them to apologize to me in any way. Bottom line, I've had better service in Tibet and Siberia. But what is most telling in relation to their attitude about accommodating tourists is that they assume all tourist who book a table for two on the same evening are most-likely the same people. They must have ever asked the couple who arrived late their last name, gave them our table, no questions asked, and then assumed my wife and I were the couple who arrived late without EVER asking us our last name!!!! What restaurant does that? ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD? Finally, if you don't believe me, all you have to do is look at their responses to ANYONE who writes a negative review about their restaurant on TripAdvisor to get a real glimpse into their stance toward customer service. WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE IN...