Spago Budapest: Step up to the plate

Budapest is a city that wears its history with flair. From its grand Austro-Hungarian architecture and ornate cafes to the Danube dividing Buda and Pest, it has an unmistakable old-world charm. Yet, the city is also embracing a more cosmopolitan dining culture, and Spago by Wolfgang Puck is a fine example.

Housed in the beautifully restored Matild Palace, a neo-baroque landmark near Elizabeth Bridge, Spago brings a slice of Beverly Hills to the Hungarian capital. The interiors strike a balance between grandeur and contemporary elegance, with an open kitchen adding a touch of theatre.

The menu is an interesting meeting of Californian culinary influences, Hungarian traditions and Asian accents. Expect everything from Hungarian buffalo steak tartare and the traditional goulash soup with a contemporary twist to Puck's signature smoked salmon pizza and miso- marinated black cod. The cooking is inventive, and the presentation is as polished as the surroundings.


Spago isn't an inexpensive proposition but it offers more than a celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck's name on the door. For those looking to combine a taste of international fine dining with Budapest's architectural splendour, this is a worthwhile stop.