My husband and I will be in Budapest on our anniversary. I'm wondering if anyone can suggest a special restaurant for this occasion. Something with a romantic setting, maybe with music, maybe with a view, and great food (doesn't have to be gourmet, just downright good). We're usually budget travelers, but for this night, we're willing to splurge. Thanks for any ideas.

Oops! forgot to tell you when this special night will occur! Our anniversary will be on May 4. Thanks again.

You might consider Gundel:

http://www.gundel.hu/gundel_hu.php

It's owned by George Lang, a Hungarian who emigrated to the U.S., owned the Cafe des Artistes in New York for many years, was a respected restaurant consultant and critic, and wrote a Hungarian cookbook.

After the fall of Communism, he returned to Hungary to restore Gundel, which had been one of <b>the</b> restaurants in pre-war Budapest, to its former glory.

New York Cafe, Incredible Old world atmosphere. A real bargain when I was there a few years ago.

gundel is overrated in my opinion.

we really enjoyed BELCANTO for the fantastic group of musicians. the foo as also good, bu tthe atmosphere of music, familiar tunes and hungarian traditional music also, was tops.

we will go there every trip.

here's a good website for other restaurants http://tinyurl.com/kkecz

and belcanto:
http://www.belcanto.hu/

it is next to the opera house. we went to a ballet (3 euros!) and then to dinner with reservations. perfect evening!

Lincasanova posted a great report on this board last year that recommended Belcanto etterem, a restaurant next to the opera house with waiters who sing classical music.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34600779

Sounds fab to me, and I hope to visit when we're in Budapest at the last week in May. Restaurant's website:
http://www.belcanto.hu/en/

ask to be seated on main floor at belcanto.
we made reservations on internet and reconfirmed later in person before ballet. we had a space right in front of the singers/players.
it was great.

thanks for posting my report! i enjoyd re-reading it.
i can never &quot;find&quot; them easily when i go to look for them. i have so many.. have to scroll down too far!

even if what is on at opera is not of your deepest interest, get the cheapest tickets and enjoy the atmosphere for the first half. you won't be disappointed.

they have a great &quot;local priced&quot; bar for drinks before and during intermission.

we had inexpensive seats which had a surprisingly good view of the ballet.
the theater is very well designed.

i am so envious!
i really hope to go back soon.

www.budapestweek.com
www.bestofbudapest.com

Lin, I got a lot of great ideas for dining in Budapest from your post. I really appreciated the detail you included.

try to go to Kehli.
i don't remember the EXACT directions, but it was not far from a train stop and the vasarely museum.

a lovely old house and we had the opportunity to see a small family wedding dinner during our DELICIOUS traditional meal.

my husband had some MARROW dish that was out of the world.

our friends liked this one and the whole BELCANTO evening the best.

p.s. i,too, am a semi-budget traveler with five star taste.. but we manage to have splendid holidays and not go too overboard. budapest was fabulous.

i have a convention i can't go to there next weekend. i am so disappointed!!!!

don't miss the gresham palace. it is a gorgeous building., inside and out.

I'm not sure I could eat at Gundel after watching those Amazing Racers puke while eating soup a few seasons ago.

Sounds like Belcanto is just what I'm looking for. Thanks to all of you for your time and suggestions!

We enjoyed very much at Kiraly and at Mathias Pince. Old buidings with decoration like as 200 years ago, good service, good music. Great food and wine.

We liked both, but we think that Kiraly is the best for a special night.

I insist with Caf&eacute; New York. It would be a shame if you missed it.

http://www.gotohungary.com/budapest/cafes.shtml

Check the 1st photo in the page. It's unbelieveble. When I was there it was cery cheap, I think it might be some more expensive.

nice website.
hope to return soon. there were so many places i still want to visit!

margeo...second the recommendation for boty NY Cafe and Kiraly...hope Kiraly is still open on Castle Hill...try either one..you'll be happy..but for music, folk show and friendly service, hard to beat Kiraly.
Stu T.

Tower, Kiraly IS open, I was there a week ago, and enjoyed a lot!

Valtor..thanks...Great to know it IS opened....great ambience...Did you notice that across the street there is a small museum with the ruins of a 14th century synagogue? Right down the street from The Fisherman's Bastion and the former army barracks Hilton Hotel. We once stayed at the Hilton with a glorius view of the Danube and Parliament across the river.
Stu T.

Cafe New York is closed. We wanted to go when we were in Budapest in May. We loved Baglyvar (I'm not sure of the spelling) which is right next to Gundels and much cheaper. I think you really need a reservation.