Szépilona Bisztró

Szépilona is a pocket-sized neighbourhood in District II, once home to the much-loved Szép Ilona Restaurant, which was reborn in 2020 as the Szépilona Bistro. The transformation has been a resounding success: the rejuvenated Szépilona has found a fresh new identity. It still retains the charm of a shady garden restaurant, but the refreshed interior now feels brighter and more relaxed—an inviting mix of worldly elegance and homely comfort. Parisian bistro vibes are conjured by a gallery of framed photos, tiny ornaments, fresh-cut flowers, ambient music and the pleasant hum of conversation. The menu promises true bistro fare, with strong French and Mediterranean influences—yet it remains attuned to Hungarian tastes. Think Baja-style fish soup with vermicelli, a daily vegetable stew, and the nostalgic Tafelspitz, a hearty dish that serves as both soup and main course, complete with a generous marrow bone. It arrives piping hot in a small red cast-iron pot, with an array of classic accompaniments: spinach sauce, apple-horseradish relish, sautéed potatoes and bread sauce, all just as the Viennese cookbook dictates. The steak tartare is no ground paste but finely diced cubes, elevated by smoked quail egg, Dijon mustard, capers and sun-dried tomato. Lighter and meat-free dishes are handled with equal flair, and the daily specials board is a reliable sign of freshness. Whether you're meeting friends or family, or entertaining a client, Szépilona is a fine choice for almost any occasion. A genuine bourgeois restaurant—easy-going in style, with attentive, warm-hearted hospitality.