Ruben Étterem — Restaurant in Budapest

We ate at Ruben at the suggestion of an acquaintance who was staying nearby. We were immediately impressed with the atmosphere, which would have felt at place in a trendy New York bar. It was very modern and trendy.

The wine list was extensive but with the heat wave in Budapest, we opted for some of the draft beer.

The menu was quite extensive, with a combination of traditional Hungarian dishes and more modern international cuisine. We opted for two of the more traditional ones as well as the Hungarian goulash. The goulash was well made with a good flavor and spice profile. It wasn't the best goulash we had in Budapest, but it was up there. I could have used some pepper flakes to bring up the spiciness level though.

The venison stew was quite good and the venison really stood out. The potatoes on the side were also quite good. They were seasoned with paprika (of course) and were delectable. The pork knuckle was also quite good, though not as crispy as German versions. The meat was super moist and flavorful. The potatoes on the side here were also good, also with paprika, but somehow different. The onions really brought them to life.

Service was also very good. Staff was friendly and spoke great english. Everything was brought out quickly though we did have a hard time flagging our waiter down to get the check as a big group came in and he...

Just lovely. Quaint and elegant restaurant with an upscale vibe and repertoire, but budget prices. We chose them because we woke up at 9pm from a long nap and they were around the corner from our hotel - Hotel Collect another hidden gem. Any way, this place is a must visit, especially after a long day of touring, the atmosphere is calm and relaxing, and even though its beautiful coming in wearing sneakers and jeans is totally fine. As for the menu - elevated Hungarian food. We had the goulash to start - they figured out how to make this a light but flavor filled broth. Follwed by the baked trout with crispy potatoes, which was good but paled in comparison to the pork knuckles - that was very well seasoned (bay leaves and all), falling off the bone tender yet had the most tasty, crispy skin. A forkful with crispy potatoes and picked onion, Yummy is an understatement. Of course, we had desert crème brûlée with a blackcurrent compote and also their sponge cake with chocolate. Both were just the right balance of sweet and deliciousness. Lastly, but not least the service - just like the place - warm, welcoming,...

The food was ok, but not as good as I expected. Not very traditional, it was more “fancy” In fact, I had asked for something very traditional, and they told me they didn’t have it. It’s the kind of place where the dishes try to be a bit pretentious but don’t quite reach the mark.

The waiter who served us was kind, but at the cashier I encountered someone who didn’t even look me in the eye while I was paying. It felt as if he was doing me a favor. After I paid, he tore off the receipt, tossed it onto the table without even placing a hand on it, and turned to the other side. When I asked for the receipt, he said “It was on the table”. That’s not very polite for someone working with the public. At the very least, you should look at the customer, smile, and hand them the receipt directly after payment. Instead, as soon as I paid, he turned away without even saying goodbye.

And yet, I still left a tip. For someone who couldn’t even look me in the eye, I can’t say I was happy to do it, but I did it out...