Kőleves – A restaurant, a bar, a shop, and an inn
Try some delicious Jewish-Hungarian dishes at Kőveles restaurant and garden bar.
Budapest, the Hungarian capital has many faces depending on which district you enter in the inner city. The hills of Buda are thick with the royal heritage and history, whereas the narrow streets of Pest tell stories of people from all walks of life. Take for example the Jewish Quarter, one of the most exciting districts in Budapest. Not only does it give a home to the biggest synagogue in Europe, but it’s filled with the city’s iconic ruin pubs, design shops, and kosher and Jewish-style (non-kosher) restaurants (should you want to learn more about the Jew community and heritage of Budapest, we recommend you check out this informative tour). Kazinczy utca, the heart of the district, is probably the best equipped with culinary treats. Kőleves restaurant is one of the local gems, serving delicious Jewish-Hungarian dishes, as well as vegetarian options. As the courtyard also hosts a garden bar, a culinary shop, and an inn, the venue has a lot to offer and quite a story to tell. Tag along and get to know more about Kőleves.
Kőleves – The restaurant
Situated in the cobble-stoned Kazinczy utca in the inner city of Budapest, Kőleves is a charming little restaurant liked by locals and tourists alike. Paying tribute to the heritage of the 170-year-old building that used to function as a kosher meat processing and butcher shop, the restaurant serves both Jewish and Hungarian dishes from matzo ball soup and cholent to Hungarian bean goulash. If preferred, you can also get vegetarian options, like avocado salad, or meaty dishes, like rib-eye steak. Besides the permanent menu, Kőleves also offers seasonal dishes, as well as affordable lunch deals on weekdays. Since the eatery is in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, it is important to note that even though their food is always delicious and varied, it is not kosher.
Besides the Jewish heritage, Kőleves has another story to tell. The restaurant’s name literally translates to “stone soup” which is a reference to the popular folk tale about the value of sharing. In the original story, hungry travelers convince the townsfolk to share a bit of their food so that they can make food for everyone. The interior design of Kőleves also reflects similar folk motives, just like the old cooking stove piled with traditional red cooking pots. Similarly, the slightly weathered wooden tables and the mishmash of wooden chairs add even more to the air of coziness.
Kőleves Kert – The garden bar
Kőleves is more than your usual restaurant. Since 2009, the building complex also has a backyard garden bar with grill snacks and pub drinks. You can access Kőleves Kert next-door, at Kazinczy utca 37. It is only open during summer seasons when the whole yard transforms into a welcoming and laid-back outdoor bar. The red tin tables and colorful iron chairs give the classic ruin pub vibe, and if you prefer, you can even chill at one of the comfortable hammocks under the mulberry trees. Equally unique, the bar’s kitchen hides in the smartly repurposed circus wagon, serving draught beer, fröccs (Hungarian spritzer), grill snacks and local specialties, like tócsni (fried potato pancake).
Kőleves Fogadó – The apartments
Besides the fusion restaurant and the ruin-pub-like garden bar, Kőleves also welcomes overnight visitors in its inn. Kőleves Fogadó has two en suite apartments and a studio flat with its own kitchen corner. Located at the loft, all the rooms are sheltered from the noise of busy Kazinczy street. With the wooden floor and beam, the apartments evoke the atmosphere of cottages, but they are equipped with all the modern commodities from air-con to Wi-Fi. If you are looking for a unique yet central location for your stay in Budapest, Kőleves Fogadó is definitely worth checking out.
Kőleves – The culinary shop
And the line of Kőleves treats is still not over. The owners also operate a tiny culinary nook specialized in home-made food and more. Among their delicacies, you can buy freshly-baked bread, hand-made jam, pesto, chutney, sauces, and wine at farm price.
