Recently, our family (we have three children under the age of nine years old) has started to enjoy eating out on Sundays. There are lots and lots of fantastic Sunday brunch options in town, however, we are more of a breakfast OR lunch type of family. It has become something that my husband and I enjoy and are kids are also getting used to and looking forward to. Unfortunately when we stay in on Sundays the TV, computers, video games, etc all seem to interfere in our family time.

Through trial and error, our family (mostly based on our kids’ preferences) has discovered some favorite hot spots around town.

Here are a few:

1.    Café Provence (district II).
This is an easy option as it is within walking distance of our house. We often will walk, ride bikes or scooters or a wagon over. Many times we will take one of our 3 dogs and leave them out in the garden while we eat inside by the fire. My favorite food item is almost always their soup du jour. From Salmon Cream Soup to French Onion Soup, they are all always delicious. After my soup I usually sway between their Croque Monsieur which comes with a delicious side salad, their Tuna Nicoise Salad or if it’s early enough their Egg Sandwiches on a Bagel. Monday to Friday they have a daily lunch special which has always been a great choice during the week. However on weekends I usually stick to one of the above. On the other hand, my husband really likes their Eggs Benedict while our kids love their Mickey Mouse Pancakes, Pizza Bagels and trio Tapas plate (try the garlic shrimp!) – with a smoothie drink. Café Provence has a nice small play area and a great outdoor garden in the back. Make sure you save room for dessert as they always have a delicious selection of cheesecakes, brownies, apple cakes, etc.

2.    Café Déryné (district I).
Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner this is always one of my favorites spots. We’ve visited many times for breakfast with our children. Whenever I walk in, I feel like I’ve left Budapest and stepped into a cool New York bistro. Great service with a one page menu (I always get overwhelmed with too many menu items). The quiche of the day is always a great breakfast item as is their Croque Monsieur (this must be the trendy menu item this year) but our son loves their sausage breakfast and our daughters love to get eggs sunnyside up. Their homemade bread is incredible as this fab restaurant was originally a famous bakery which went by the same name. Baking their own fresh bread is one of the traditions they have continued and they’ve done it well. They don’t offer anything special for kids’ entertainment but on the weekends it is usually packed with trendy young couples and their small children so you don’t feel like you’re upsetting anyone if your own kids aren’t the quietest through their breakfast. If you cannot make it for breakfast or lunch then try visiting them for dinner – especially on the nights they have a jazz band performing. The band is excellent and adds an incredible ambience to an already sophisticated venue. One negative point is that their wait staff is a bit slow and not incredibly attentive. Also, they are one of the few restaurants that do more than one dinner seating a night so make sure you know ahead of time if your reservation has a specific time length.

3.   Trattoria Toscana (district V).
Another one of my absolute favorite places for lunch or dinner. They do not offer breakfast and are only open from noon. However, Sunday lunch with the kids is always a treat as they have Zozo the clown there to entertain by performing his magic tricks or by making your little ones balloon animals. Trattoria Toscana has great pizzas and delicious homemade pastas. This is also a restaurant where the service has always been consistently professional and excellent. The waiters never seem to change and have a great memory for their regular guests (including their favorite food and drink items). Our kids love the pizza bread that they give before every meal. Usually, we have to order extra accompanied by their delicious parma ham. Also, if you are craving fresh fish, this is the place to get it. Their Seabass in a bed of salt is better than when I ordered it in Rome! Order it with their Garlic Spinach and a glass of Chianti and it makes the perfect lunch or dinner.  Keep in mind that Trattoria Toscana now offers home deliveries.

4.   Iguana Bar & Grill (district V).
Always filled with families on Sunday afternoons. A great casual lunch spot with a good variety of Mexican and American dishes. Whether you are craving a hamburger or tacos, this is the spot. Our children love the chicken fingers offered on their children’s menu and always enjoy their freshly squeezed OJs. Expect to hear lots of English spoken here as it’s a popular hotspot for most Americans in town. In the warmer weather months, sit outside then walk over to Szabadság tér to play on one of the two fantastic playgrounds.

5.   Arriba Taqueria (district VI)
If you want even more casual Mexican then try out Arriba Taqueria. Our kids love customizing their Quesidillas and Tacos whenever we visit. We always have to get our delicious Mexican items with a side of tortilla chips with extra salsa and extra guacamole! Arriba also now delivers to certain districts of Budapest.

6.    Vapiano (districts II & V)
This is one of our newest favorite lunch spots as we’ve been there two weekends in a row for lunch. Vapiano has just recently opened their second restaurant a little closer to us on the Buda side.  Originally I thought it was district III but after looking up their exact address, I learned it is actually district II where their newest restaurant has opened. Think Uj Udvar shopping center and Kolosy ter and that is where it is on Bécsi ut. Just to make it easy for all their Vapiano fans, their original shop near Vaci utca and Fashion Street is also on Bécsi but it is Bécsi utca. In the center of Pest’s district V. Offering breakfast (very basic), lunch and dinner this casual dining experience always leaves us incredibly satisfied. Their home made pastas are delicious. Our daughters love to customize their pasta type with their sauce. Our seven year old daughter always throws off the chef by ordering Spaghetti Carbonara with Fusilli noodles. Don’t ask. This is the way she loves it. Our son, on the other hand, loves their pizzas. My personal favorite is the Spinach Scampi topping with linguini noodles! Yum! They also have free WIFI which is great if you want to eat alone while surfing the net.

7.    Kyoto (district V).
Even though our children are still young, they love their sushi. If you want a true, true great Japanese culinary experience then Sushi Sei Japan Etterem in Uj Udvar on Bécsi ut 38-44 in district III is the place to enjoy it. The atmosphere is very basic but the authentic Japanese food and the value is what everyone (mostly in the Japanese community) flocks there for. Right around the corner is one of the Wasabi restaurants where you can pick your food off a revolving conveyor belt. There is a fixed price per adult and child. The food is not really Japanese to me as they even had crepes revolving on our last visit. Be forewarned, on our last visit my husband got food poisoning so we will definitely not be returning. Up the road in Rozsadomb is Fuji Restaurant which we often get delicious take away from. Their sushi is very fresh, delicious but pricey. But they have everything our family loves and is nearby. And, back to my original Japanese restaurant recommendation, Kyoto. This is downtown next door to the Four Seasons Hotel. Their trendy, modern atmosphere has a great selection of hot and cold Japanese and Asian-style dishes. We love their large combination of rolls and enjoy eating here with our kids on the weekends for lunch when they are not overly busy. It’s even better when the weather is warmer and outdoor seating is available. They are on a walking street so the kids have space to roam around safely, if they need to. If you are not driving then make sure to try some of their cocktails. They have a great bar.

8.   Momotaro Metélt Chinese Restaurant (district V, Széchenyi utca 16).
If you are looking for real authentic Chinese then this is the spot. In Budapest’s district V right behind the MTV building, this is one that our kids love. The restaurant is tiny and very casual with picnic bench style tables and seating. The food is inexpensive and incredible. If your kids cannot sit still for long, this is not the restaurant for you as it is small and the tables are squished together.  However, at least try it for take away. It’s always a positive sign to see the Chinese chefs whom our kids love to great with a friendly Ni Hao (their limited Mandarin knowledge)! At least it gets us a complimentary tasting of something delicious…

9.   Gresham Kávéház - Four Seasons Hotel (district V)
What can I say?  It’s the Four Seasons!  Always THE best service in town. Hats off to the managers of the Four Seasons Gresham Palace as we have never had a bad experience in this beautiful landmark of a hotel.  This is one of our favorite breakfast spots in town. Our children absolutely love their waffles and pancakes. They also have an all you can eat buffet but it is very minimal – lots of fresh fruit, cheeses and hams, fresh bread, cereals, yoghurts and two hot dishes (usually bacon and eggs). You have to move quickly to make it to breakfast as they move to lunch at 11am.  Everything on their breakfast menu (they have a children’s breakfast menu, too) is simply delicious and accompanied by all you can drink fresh squeezed orange juice and service with a smile (I cannot mention this enough times).

Erika with daughters at Cafe Farger.

10.    Café Farger (district V, Zoltán utca 18).
Up to road from Iguana across from Szabadság tér, this great café has fantastic coffees, endless smoothie combinations and freshly squeezed juices of every kind. They have free WIFI and lots of English language magazines.  Their menu has lots of breakfast items like egg sandwiches on bagels but their lunches are even better – wraps, burgers (including a veggie burger), onion rings, salads, etc. This is real café food but decent. In the summer, they have a great corner with lots of seating to soak up the sunshine. And, like I mentioned for Iguana, across the street are the spacious playgrounds on Szabadság tér. Grab your coffee to go and let your kids run wild after a café meal.

11.    Legends (district V).
New sports bar that just opened in Sept 2009 across from the Marriott Hotel. Ready dads… this is the perfect spot to go with the kids when you need to give mom a break. Watch your sports on the biggest TVs I’ve ever seen, drink beer and eat good pub food. Your kids are bound to enjoy the atmosphere and the 100s (probably less but feels like 100s) of televisions on various sports channels from around the globe.

———–

As you can see, these are not only my favorite Sunday lunch hot spots but my overall favorite general eateries in Budapest.  Below are a few other favorites of my friends:

1.    TGI Fridays.
There are several in Budapest including most of the malls. They have an American menu consisting of hamburgers, pastas, chicken wings, salads, etc. The food is average but the atmosphere is extremely child-friendly as it is well equipped with highchairs, crayons, coloring placemats and balloons.

2.    Remiz (district II).
This is one of the first restaurants I went to when I first arrived in Budapest years ago. I loved sitting outside on their terrace while watching their outdoor kitchen/grill cook up my food. Recently they have implemented a children’s play area during Sunday lunch.  Their food is still fantastic (try their ribs) so it is the perfect combination of great food and indoor entertainment for the kiddies.

3.   Normafa Café & Grill (district XII).
Many friends take their kids up here – especially after a long hike up in beautiful Normafa. We especially enjoy Normafa Café & Grill in the summertime as the kids can run wild outdoors while we watch from their terrace.

———-

Then there is always McDonalds. The two locations with the big indoor play areas are in district III (near Arpad bridge) and in Budaors. Especially great for the little ones as it is all soft climbing frames.

Related posts:

1. Sunday Brunch: Keep the tradition alive! Sunday Brunch is a tradition in North-America and the United...
2. Café Provence (kid friendly!) Ever since I moved into district 2A (off of Hidegkuti),...
3. Great quick lunch deli Great quick lunch deli near Blaha L. ter and Keleti...
4. Breathe In That Fresh Autumn Air Winter is only a few months away, so enjoy the...
5. Árnyas étterem – kids friendly restaurant This Hungarian restaurant is very child friendly. One of the...