Árpád Borozó

Árpád Borozó is in Hévíz-Egregy, at the top of the vineyard hill, a few steps from the 13th-century Árpád-era church. It has been a family business since 1994 and is open all year, winter included. The terrace offers one of the finest views on the hill: the church opposite, with Cserszegtomaj and the surrounding hills behind it.

A wine bar that became a restaurant

According to the bar’s own story, it opened in 1994, when it served only cold dishes alongside its wines. Since then it has grown a full kitchen, but the wine-bar spirit has remained: the wine list has Hungarian wines by the bottle and by the glass, and the focus is on home-style flavours and good wine. It takes its name from the neighbouring church, built on the St George ley line. The owners think the church’s aura may be part of why guests like to come back.

Space and atmosphere

One guest wrote that it feels like sitting down in your grandmother’s garden, except that a spacious, well-equipped restaurant and terrace are tucked away on the hilltop. That sums it up well: family-style, friendly, not dressy. Evenings often come with live music, three times a week according to one regular, and the staff speak several languages, handy given the many foreign spa guests.

The kitchen

Hungarian home cooking with pork, beef and poultry dishes, plus vegetarian options. The menu also has hearty soups, cold starters and wine snacks, the latter well worth trying in a wine bar. Guests particularly mention the foie gras, the pickles and the dumplings in the liver-dumpling soup, which one review says are made by local women. There’s a wide choice of pálinka too.

The wines

Hungarian wines by the bottle and by the glass, in a choice guests call fabulous. One regular especially recommends the pinot noir. Egregy is an ancient vineyard hill, with cellars lining the way down from the bar, so it’s worth strolling past them before dinner.

What guests say

4.7/5 on Google from almost five hundred reviews, 4.5/5 on Tripadvisor. Guests praise the kind, family-style service, the generous home-style food, the wines and the view, and several say the prices are fair for the quality. Many have been coming back for years, summer and winter. Less frequent, but it happens, is a complaint about a dish that didn’t come off. Evenings are often fully booked, so reserve a table.

How to visit

By car, you can park in the free car park below the bar. By bus, go to the Egregyi utca stop, then it’s about a 20-minute walk uphill. Many walk up from the town centre through the vineyards, and after a big dinner the way back is a welcome stroll.

Who it’s for

Anyone who wants a home-style dinner, good wine and a view after a day at the Hévíz baths, for a romantic evening, with family or with friends. Also for anyone looking for an open, atmospheric place on the hill in winter.

How much does it cost?

Mid-range. Guests find the prices friendly for the quality and the location.