PETER FREED

PUBLISHER

DEAR READER,
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the ninth edition of the Best of Budapest. This edition is special for us as we also celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the Best of Budapest Awards which was established in 1993 to honor the hospitality industry.

For the past fifteen years we have been testing and recognizing those organizations that strive to provide quality and value to their guests.

Please see the list of the recipients of the Best of Budapest Quality Award for 2007 on our website www.bestofbudapest.com. We congratulate the winners and highly recommend them to you.

In this edition, we are also pleased to present to you 6 new hotels and 25 new restaurants for you to enjoy. The hotels are run by leading industry professionals who provide top quality not only in the facilities and services they offer but have increasingly focused on providing a renewed gastronomic experience. Throughout the year you will find special fare and master guest chefs from around the world to delight your senses. The restaurateurs, entrepreneurs all, provide their personal touch and individuality to each establishment and provide you with unique experiences. From traditional and modern Hungarian to international culinary delights, Budapest has it all. Please use our free online restaurant reservation system on www.budapestweek.com and we will happily assist you in organizing your evening or your entire stay in Budapest!

Bon Appetit!

DR ÁKOS NIKLAI

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
– HUNGARIAN NATIONAL TOURIST OFFICE

DEAR READER,
As you hold this publication in your hands, you are enjoying the hospitality of one of Europe’s most beautiful capitals, with its unique atmosphere and its delightful panorama from the two banks of the Danube, which has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for a good reason. The city is at once historical, romantic and modern, due to its architectural and historical venues, its cultural programmes and its many congresses. Even more, it is one of Europe’s main spa cities with over a hundred thermal springs and the baths built upon them with their marvelous health and wellness programmes.

Budapest plays a significant role in international tourism: it is visitors' first attraction in Hungary and naturally the Hungarian National Tourist Office continues to do its best in order to continue to increase the capital’s popularity. Therefore it is no surprise that ever more tourists visit the city: in 2006 the number of guest nights exceeded 6 million. Budapest’s hotels are among the best in the world and of course the grand choice of top notch restaurants and inns make it easy to savour the renowned Hungarian wine and cuisine. In order for you to enjoy all of the above ultimately, I encourage you to use this publication, for it will help you choose from a selection of the country’s best hotels and restaurants, all based on visitors’ opinions. Have a great time in Budapest, and be our returning guest!

LINDA VADÁSZ

EDITOR OF BEST OF BUDAPEST

DEAR READERS,
As the editor of Best of Budapest I have had the pleasure, along with my colleagues, of tasting and reporting on food from so many of Budapest’s finest restaurants. The criteria used for determining our choices include well-prepared and beautifully presented food, with an emphasis on freshness; a good selection of fine wines and other beverages; delightful ambience; professional service; high standards in hygiene; and a multi-lingual menu. The high quality and innovation found in so many of the city’s professional kitchens is impressive, and the array of offerings continues to increase. I believe that, in part, this is due to the everexpanding availability of fresh ingredients, including prime meats, fish and seafood, imported herbs and spices, and first quality fruits and vegetables.

Another factor influencing the improvement in so many of Budapest’s restaurants is an emphasis on a lighter, more healthful diet following international trends in gastronomy.

Even the classic Hungarian cuisine has been updated with the use of vegetable oils replacing animal fats. Aside from restaurants, the number of hotels offering the highest level of service and accommodations has continued to increase. Besides those that can handle large groups with ease, the discerning traveler now has a wide range of options, from boutique hotels to all suites.

The Hungarian wine industry has now come of age as well. Improvements in technology have allowed the best vintners to place greater emphasis on quality over quantity. The marriage of fine wine and gastronomy can be witnessed at all of the restaurants in our Best of Budapest guide.

Budapest has great food to please almost any palate, but I am still waiting for a real bagel.