Vasmacska Terasz Étterem

There are not many places in Hungary you can reach on foot, by bike, public transport, car, boat, and even seaplane (yes, really!). Vasmacska is one of those rare spots. Located right on the Danube in a small harbor in Budafok, this restaurant offers a laid-back riverside escape. On the shaded terrace, time seems to slow to the pace of the river, as cargo ships crawl past, speedboats dart between them, and in the background, the giant cranes of the Csepel Freeport steadily unload containers from all over the world. With a name like “Vasmacska” (“anchor” in Hungarian) and a waterfront setting, you would expect a heavy focus on fish, and while the seafood selection is strong, the menu does not stop there. The crew, dressed in nautical stripes, is friendly and relaxed. The fish cracklings we ordered as a starter could easily satisfy a lighter appetite. Freshly fried catfish skin, served warm with pickled onions and remoulade, turned out to be far better than expected for such a simple dish. The main course – “Saint Peter’s fish grilled on a hot plate with a green crust, crispy octopus, zucchini fritter, and lobster Hollandaise” – sounded ambitious. Unfortunately, the green crust was missing, the fish was too salty, and the fritter too thick in places. Ironically, they nailed the trickiest part: the octopus was perfectly cooked. Dessert was a real hit too: floating islands with caramel sauce, done just right. Given the area’s winemaking history – this is the former Budafok wine region – there is definitely room for a stronger focus on local wines and spritzers.