Retek Bisztro — Restaurant in Budapest

Flawless. To sum up our experience at Retek in one word, it would be flawless.

The Atmosphere: ridiculously cute and charming without coming off as tacky or over the top. It is cozy and modern and old fashioned and everything all at once without ever feeling like too much. The piano player was a true highlight playing songs that were completely unexpected but very much enjoyed!

The Service: Friendly and welcoming. From the hostess working out a possible table for us since we arrived without reservation, to our server whose happiness was infections, we couldn’t have asked for more. I wish in had gotten the server’s name because she truly deserved to be named and thanked for her excellent service!

The Food: I don’t even know where to start!! From the moment we got the cream sausage and pastry amuse bouche we knew we were in for a treat.

4/5 of us ordered half portions of Goulash to start and WOW. I won’t name names, but one member of our party returned their bowl cleaner than if it had come from a dishwasher! It was like eating spoonful after spoonful of warm hugs. The broth was richer than we’ve had elsewhere in Budapest, but so very flavourful!

For mains two of us ordered the fried meatballs, two ordered the beef cheek, and I ordered the fried chicken breast. I should preface this by saying that I don’t love chicken. I rarely ever order it in a restaurant, but something whispered quietly in my ear that I needed to order this one.

Fried Meatballs with Mash: salty, crispy, meaty balls of deliciousness paired with butter rich clouds velvety potatoes? Come on! We did no chance against those. Seemingly plain, but total flavour bombs in each bite!

Beef Cheek: melt in your mouth tender meat with ridiculously flavourful carmelized root vegetable purée and bread pudding. I don’t know who came up with this dish, but they deserve to always sleep on the cool side of the pillow and never step on a Lego, because WOW! My husband who is all about the meat couldn’t stop gushing about his love for the veg. I swear he nearly turned vegetarian before my eyes. Until he left no trace of that beef cheek on his plate.

Fried Chicken Breast: If every chicken dish tasted like this, I’d strictly eat chicken for the rest of my life. It was fried PERFECTLY. Not greasy, not heavy, meat still juicy, bursting with flavour, and sat atop a cheese and ham sauce that had my mouth confused about whether we were back in the 80s eating Chicken Cordon Bleu or somewhere far in the future where it wasn’t completely uncouth to lick your plate clean in public, because I REALLY wanted to. And the potatoes. Of those lovely stacks of thinly sliced potato cheesiness. For a brief moment in time I wondered if I’d ever loved my children as much as I loved those potatoes! The children won, but it was THIS CLOSE. I’m sure there is someone out there who had ordered this dish and thought that it could use a fresh vegetable to cut the heaviness, but clearly that person had no real joy in their lives. I cannot believe I’m this enthusiastic over a chicken dish.

Post Dinner Shot of Palinka: Totally unexpected but very appreciated. Perfect ending on the best meal we’ve had in Budapest!

(Apologies for not working out the food lighting until the...

Unforgettable Culinary Experience at Retek Bisztro!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)

Retek Bisztro deserves every bit of praise it receives! My partner and I had an incredible evening at this cozy establishment. Despite the "fully booked" sign, we decided to take a chance and asked for a table. The staff kindly accommodated us, and we're so glad they did!

Firstly, we had the famous goulash soup that we had read rave reviews about - and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! It was rich, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. The portion size was generous, as were the drinks. Speaking of drinks, they were fantastic too!

The server went above and beyond by offering to split our dishes into two plates so we could enjoy them together. We couldn't resist trying the mushroom pasta and the beef cheek "vadas" style. Both dishes were outstanding.

And then there was dessert - the "somloi." Oh, what a delightful treat it was! Throughout our visit, the service was exceptional. The staff were friendly and attentive, making us feel welcome and cared for. To add to the magical ambiance, a pianist serenaded us during dinner, creating a truly memorable experience.

To top it all off, we were surprised with a complimentary shot as a parting gift. It was a thoughtful gesture that left a lasting impression on us.

There was a small confusion with the bill, possibly due to an item that was brought as a small complimentary tapa but we were so happy by the overall experience that it hardly mattered. Retek Bisztro truly exceeded our expectations in every way.

I rarely write reviews, but I simply had to share my enthusiasm for this place. It ranks among the best culinary experiences I've ever had in my life. The phenomenal food combined with the unbeatable atmosphere and top-notch service make Retek Bisztro an...

We had dinner at this restaurant, and the experience was a mixed bag. The interior is truly unique and cool—definitely a place where making a reservation is a must. On the food front, the evening started with an appetizer: a pancake with chicken. While it was an interesting choice, it could have benefited from a bit more seasoning. In contrast, the Langos were a highlight, especially when paired with the spicy sauce served on the side. For my main course, I was set on trying the meatballs. However, since I’m not a fan of mashed potatoes and couldn’t change the side dish due to their inflexible ordering system, I ended up opting for a catfish stuffed cabbage starter instead. Unfortunately, this substitute didn’t quite live up to expectations in terms of flavor. On a brighter note, the beef dish we had was absolutely delicious—cooked to perfection. One aspect that caught me off guard was the addition of a service charge to the bill without prior notice. Although we still left an extra tip, a heads-up would have been appreciated. The service throughout the evening was excellent and very attentive. However, our table by the window was a bit drafty, which slightly detracted from the overall comfort. A delightful touch, though, was the live pianist playing in the evening—a great idea that added a charming ambiance to our dining experience. Overall, the restaurant offers a cool setting and some tasty dishes, but the inflexibility with orders and unexpected charges leave something to be desired. Would I recommend it? It might be worth a visit if you’re looking for a...