Alma & Körte Étterem

The fruit-themed concept gets another outing from the Barack & Szilva (Peach and Plum) team with Alma & Körte (Apple and Pear) in the Palace District (home to many aristocratic palaces and grand residences built in the 19th century). On the atmospheric Lőrinc Pap Square, the outdoor tables are enticing, but the interior has charms of its own. A playful touch—a vintage ladder hanging from the ceiling—is decked with rustic items like demijohns, ceramic jugs and wicker baskets. Elsewhere in the restaurant, diners can watch the bustle of the open kitchen. The décor is a gently eclectic mix: homely, unpretentious and warm. Food is served on paper placemats, but dinner is candlelit, and live guitar music adds a mellow ambience; between sets, soft background jazz takes over. The service is friendly in a near-familiar tone, yet never intrusive. The pace is spot-on. Even the wine list reflects the restaurant’s character. It leans into Hungarian producers, with a few local sparklings to round it off. The selection is well chosen without being overlong. The menu itself is unbound by tradition, gathering popular and lesser-known favourites from both Hungarian and international kitchens. Garlic-and-cheese snails being one of the more delightful surprises. The smoked trout from Szilvásvárad arrived on a soft blini with walnut-celery salad and beetroot. The textures were well judged: the blini lightly crisped, the vegetables pitched just between tender and crunchy. As a main, the rabbit leg was delicately tender without losing its bite, accompanied by a thick, creamy Dijon mustard sauce with echoes of hunter’s stew. The bread dumpling was lightly crisped on the outside—another skilful touch. An appealing spot in District VIII, waiting to be discovered.