A note from Michael: The Budapest Makery experience was provided to me by the Budapest Festival and Tourism Center as a “thank you” for the success of the work we did on a previous visit to Budapest using the “worth every penny” Budapest Card.
The food was paid for, but this review wasn’t.
I was not asked to review this Budapest restaurant, but I decided to anyway, because it was such a unique experience in Budapest.
And you get a discount here with your Budapest Card.
What is the Budapest Makery
The best way I can describe the Budapest Makery is a cross between a full service restaurant and Blue Apron or Hello Fresh – two delivery food services in North America that send you a box of ingredients that you put together into a fantastic meal.
At the Budapest Makery, you order what you want, a staff member brings you all of the ingredients, and it’s up to you to follow the directions and make your own meal.
Besides making your own meal, the biggest difference between this unique Budapest restaurant and any other is that you’re going to have a unique afternoon or night out.
And you’ll spend longer here than at a regular restaurant.
And if you get stuck (or start screwing up), you have a partner in the restaurant who helps you out.
Where is the Budapest Makery?
The Budapest Makery is a restaurant in the Jewish section of Budapest (Budapest, Dob u. 38, 1072 Hungary – Google Maps directions). If you decide to explore the Jewish Quarter in Budapest before or after your experience, it’s worth it!
While this section of the city is quite small, it’s one of the most eclectic and friendly parts of Budapest. And if you want to meet people here, it’s easy.
Just strike up a conversation and people here are happy to chat!
The Jewish section of Budapest is also where you’ll find many of the city’s famous “Ruin Bars” – they sound old, but they are actually quite new and unique.
You can see some of these places in Halef’s video that I’ve included at the end of this post.
Walk through the narrow streets and alleys that connect larger streets. This is where you’ll find the bars and restaurants that make the area unique!
But don’t eat and drink too much before you head to the Budapest Makery, because you’re gonna get lots to eat right there!
The Budapest Makery Experience
When you walk into the restaurant, you’ll probably think the same thing I did – this looks like one of those places where they film the TV cooking shows!
There are ovens and prep tables scattered throughout the restaurant, cooking utensils and pots on shelves, and oils and spices on wall racks.
Along with your staff guide, you’ll familiarize yourself with where everything is and how to use it before you start your DIY cooking experience.
You’ll meet your waiter – more of a facilitator than a waiter actually, and he or she will let you know what you’re going to do during your Budapest Makery experience.
But before you start anything, I’d suggest ordering a beer, wine, or other drink to help you get in the mood for what’s about to happen!
This is meant to be a social experience.
Who should try this Budapest Restaurant?
Well, everyone! First of all, I do want to say that I had a great time cooking at the Budapest Makery. That said, the entire time I was there, I kept thinking to myself, “This would be SO much more fun if I was here with a group!”
Part of the fun at this do it yourself restaurant is laughing at screw ups – and it’s not as much fun when you’re just laughing at yourself (although I got a few laughs from my waiter!)
It’s not that you’ll really mess up and ruin the meal – and if you do, the staff is there to help. It’s in laughing at each other and having a good time with others.
I messed up a LOT, and my meal was still excellent.
I think the Budapest Makery is a perfect experience for groups and couples. Not just tourists, but locals as well.
A team-building event would be so much fun at this place.
If you’re part of a group here, it’ll just be a great laugh! If you’re a couple, it’ll be a good test of your relationship!
This is a place for adults to play ad have fun – something we often forget how to do as adults!
The Food at Budapest Makery
This DIY restaurant in Budapest has a nice variety on its menu. Even if it was not a do it yourself restaurant, it would still be one of Budapest’s most unique dining experiences.
For example, I made the Oriental Meat Soup as an appetizer (without the meat) and it was delicious. It was also complex – so it’s not like you’re creating a basic meal here.
At this Budapest restaurant, all the meals are high quality and chef-inspired.
You’re paying for quality and that’s what you’ll get.
Here are some examples of what you can cook at the Budapest Makery:
Starters
- Potato Cream Soup with Dill and Salmon
- Warm Onion Soup with Sesame and Yogurt
- Oriental Meat Soup
Main Course
- Goat Cheese with Cherry Tomato and Pumpkin Seed
- Chickpea Salad with Dates and Chili
- Hashbrown Cheeseburger
- Sushi (you have to pre-order this)
- Venison with Plum-Poppyseed and Sheep Cottage Cheese Dumplings
- Sheep Cottage Cheese Dumplings with Baked Beetroot (FYI: Yum!)
Desserts
- Milk Chocolate Panna Cotta with Blueberry and Violet Foam
- Tiramisu
- Flourless Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Chocolate Pistachio Cake
In other words, you’ll come away from the experience having eaten a quality meal.
And, if nothing else, you’ll come away prepared to cook at least one full meal on a Gordon Ramsay show – or something.
One of the best parts of this experience, too, is that there are plenty of uniquely Hungarian dishes on the menu. Many of them, although not originally vegetarian, can be turned into vegetarian dishes.
Just let your staff member know your dietary requirements before you get started and he or she will set you up for success!
Vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and other options are available.
Final Notes
You will not go hungry at this restaurant
They do not skimp on the amount of food they provide to you. In fact, I ordered all of the ingredients for the Oriental Meat Soup and the Sheep Cottage Cheese Dumplings with Baked Beetroot.
When I started to tell my guy what I wanted for dessert, he told me that I would not possibly be able to eat all this food.
He was right.
I skipped dessert. It was a lot of food. The starter itself could be a meal!
The Budapest Makery is fun!
You can’t help but have fun in a place like this. The Budapest Makery is a do it yourself food experience in Budapest that’s about community building.
That’s the entire reason this Budapest restaurant exists in the first place. You will laugh at each other’s mistakes, maybe have fun arguing, and come out with a great meal and experience in the end.
It’s a great day out in Budapest. Or night. Whatever suits your schedule.
And you’ll be here awhile
I was at the restaurant for over 2 hours. Probably 3. And I was alone.
You should plan on 2-3 hours for your experience.
Budapest Makery is not a cooking school
It’s not about learning how to cook. It’s about fun. Though you may come away with a few good ideas for meals that you never thought of before! If you have a good memory, you’ll be eating this food for dinner in the future!
Prices
They have packages designed for many options – a la carte, packages that include a full meal with unlimited drinks, non-alcohol packages, etc. I’d say that, if you are going to have a couple of drinks here, expect to pay about $30 US per person.
And remember, you’re paying not just for the food and drink. You’re also paying to spend three hours having a lot of fun!
In my opinion, that makes it one of the best places to eat in Budapest.
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Information at a glance
The Budapest Makery
Budapest, Dob u. 38, 1072 Hungary
+36 1 614 3001
Weekdays: noon – 11PM
Monday: Closed
Saturday: 11:30AM – 11PM
Sunday: noon – 8PM
Our Budapest Makery travel vlog
Unique things to do in Budapest
If you’re visiting the city, we wrote about a lot more unique things to do in Budapest that you should try!
Budapest is a haven for travelers on any budget. Starting with the glitzy Gellert Hotel Budapest, to budget hostels in Budapest such as Full Moon Design Hostel Budapest or Baroque Hostel Budapest, and even a Beer Hostel.
For More on Hungary and Budapest: When we travel, we use Lonely Planet
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Michael is originally from Canada but now resides in Atlanta, GA with his husband, Halef, who also writes here. He is a Couchsurfing expert. Michael has traveled to over 50 countries learning how to experience more for less as he travels.
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Since I’m from Serbia, and Budapest isn’t that far away, now I have the need to visit that place!
Your descriptions are always so good, they make me travel around. 😉
I’ve never heard of this before! This i an amazing idea and I definitely have to go there next time I go to Budapest!
Absolutely! Budapest Makery is definitely a unique experience!