Kerekes Pince Kertvendéglő és Borterasz

Kerekes Pince (Cellar) sits high above Balatonalmádi on the hillside – and it’s hard to miss – a towering wine bottle sculpture greets you at the entrance. The setting is idyllic, encompassed by vineyards, the terrace shaded by a broad-leaved tree. The whole place is unpretentious and friendly, with a homely mix of mismatched furniture. On cold days, the fireplace is lit. This isn’t the world of slick north-shore design restaurants – it’s a family-run place, and proud of it.The owner himself greets guests and shows them to their table. The service is informal: oilcloth-checked tablecloths, glasses set on a barrel, water and wine in old jugs. The wine list is Balaton-focused, not too long, and reasonably priced. Some dishes arrive in frying pans or on wooden platters. The toast with bone marrow is creamy and well seasoned; the hearty dumpling soup is full of flavour. The poppy-seed bread pudding is sticky, poppy-heavy, and just like home. A great spot for lovers of hearty Hungarian fare and wood-fired dishes.