NegroMangalica Bistro & Bar — Restaurant in Budapest

We came here for dinner based on the positive reviews and unfortunately left very disappointed.

The start was actually pretty good, with the mangalica cured meat platter being very tasty and the pearl onions and sourdough bread (I assume baked in house) offered a great vehicle for the ham slices. However, the gulyás soup was pretty bland and needed a lot of salt and some chili creme (Erős Pista).

But the real disappointment came with the main courses. We ordered the duck breast, the mangalica steak and the chicken paprikás. The duck: The meat was presumably cooked sous vide, which made it tender however, it was bland and the skin was left absolutely rubbery and not seared well at all. When I asked for it to be seared properly, it came back overcooked but with the skin still being inedible. Advice to the chef: start skin side down in a cold pan to get the skin crispy. The sides did not help either. The beetroot puree was very harsh and mustardy, overpowering the duck, and the cabbage part was just a big slab of grilled white cabbage (again, bland). The mangalica steak: The meat was supposed to be a chuck steak, but it was most likely from a cut that was half chuck and half loin, which made for a very dry end product. We could not finish it because half of it was like sawdust. And again, the meat was very under seasoned. The paprikás: The meat was tender, and the sauce was pretty good, although this one needed some salt as well. The only other complaint was the portion size, which was pretty small.

We did not order desserts due to the underwhelming mains.

The free pálinka at the end was a nice touch, although we noticed that these used to be full sized shots (4 cl) but got reduced to 1 cl by today. Still, it left a nice impression and tasted good.

Overall, this restaurant is what we Hungarians typically call a "tourist trap", promising Hungarian flavors but failing to deliver despite the not so cheap prices.

Not...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Thoughtful Flavors with a Few Hiccups

NegroMangalica Bistro & Bar offers a refined take on Hungarian cuisine in a cozy, well-composed setting. The vibe is modern yet inviting—an excellent balance between bistro elegance and local charm.

I started with the beef goulash, which was richly flavored and thoughtfully plated. The broth had a warm, layered depth that signaled careful preparation, though it could have benefited from being served hotter to unlock its full potential. The addition of crispy celery brought an unexpected but welcome crunch to each spoonful, playing nicely against the tenderness of the beef and vegetables. Served with a slice of fresh bread and a bold hot paprika paste, the dish offered a traditional experience with a delightful twist.

Unfortunately, the chicken paprikash—which followed—arrived noticeably cold. While the presentation was polished and visually appealing, the temperature significantly hindered the enjoyment of the dish. After a few bites, I had to set it aside. That said, the service here is worth noting: the waitress was genuinely apologetic, professional, and quick to respond. She offered a replacement (the duck dish, which was my second choice), but I declined, feeling the goulash had already delivered a fulfilling experience.

To their credit, the restaurant did not charge me for the chicken dish, and the team remained courteous and hospitable throughout my visit.

Overall, NegroMangalica Bistro & Bar shows promise with its nuanced flavors and excellent service. A few refinements in execution would elevate it from good to...

A completely disappointing experience. We received a card during a free tour that included a free 33cl beer, so we decided to visit the place. It was a mistake.

We were seated at the bar, and despite the place not being busy, it took 20 minutes for someone to come over. In the end, I had to call the waiter myself. When he finally arrived, he told us the free beer was only available until 7 PM (something that wasn’t mentioned anywhere on the card). He even said it was “a joke,” which we found completely disrespectful to customers.

When we tried to order some pickles, we were told it was mandatory to order more elaborate dishes, even though the card didn’t state this. I wouldn’t have minded ordering more, but the way they imposed it on us from the beginning was extremely rude.

The waiter’s attitude was arrogant, uninterested, and unprofessional, leaving a terrible impression. I would not recommend this place under any circumstances. There are plenty of better spots in Budapest where you’ll be treated with respect and honesty....