Will be in Budapest in March. Is Gerbeaud's as delicious as it looks on their web site? Looks like a must stop for chocaholics and a great place for lunch.
Any comments?

It is as beautiful. I was there in summer 2003. I suggest have a lite salad for lunch and splurge on one of their extravagant desserts.

If you get a chance try to eat at this little restaurant by the zoo. I think it is called the Boglivar (or whatever the word for owl is). It is run by women and has the best food in Budapest.

We went to Gerbeaud's in July last year and it is certainly charismatic. However it is expensive (but then what isn't) and we had to send the coffee back as it arrived only luke warm. But it was replaced without any problems.

We liked Budapest a lot.

Gerbeauds does have a wide selection of things to get you into all sorts of trouble. Not bad. I think their atmosphere is very nice as well.

Actually though, just down the Vaci Utca (inside the ground floor of the Taverna), we liked the quality of the pastries at Zlotny Kavehaz better. Not as wide a selction, nor as elegent a setting - very simple, actually, but the pastry chef there has won the Hungarian Nat'l award 3 years running. My suggestion would be to try both places. Often. I highly recommend trying the Esterhazy tortes.

Oh, and I'd second the suggestion for Bagylovar out by the park. Very good Hungarian dishes.

Thanks for the response. I'll certainly try all places mentioned. As I'm staying at the Taverna, that one should be a no brainer!

John, if you're staying at the Taverna, I have to say this. THE best meal we had was at Gambrinus inside the Taverna. Not much for atmosphere and the service is a little confused (but very nice people) it's really more of a function room a couple of floors out. But the food. My lord, the food.... wow, what a meal. When we came back from our road trip, we stayed in another hotel, but walked all the way over from the Buda side to eat at Gambrinus again. (and they have Zlotny pastries on the dessert menu).

Oh, and we bought the CD. That'll make more sense after the Gypsy orchestra (a 4 piece group) asks over dinner if you're interested in buying.

Clifton
Thanks. I heard the food at the Taverna was excellent. I'll sure give that a shot also.

Check www.pestiside.hu for their listing of the 33 top places to eat in Budapest.

Pesti-side (get it??)is a wickedly funny 'zine, BTW -- though they seem quite serious about food.

Check out the 3-part feature "The worst of Budapest". Funniest thing I've read in weeks.

ttt

No really, if you like Budapest you have to read "The Worst of Budapest" at www.pestiside.hu

Thanks for recommeding the Worst of Budapest site. It is hysterical. I sent it to all of my Hungarian friends.