Borcsa Étterem

Borcsa Étterem Balatonfüred: mouth-watering dishes and spectacular views beside Lake Balaton

Few things on a Balaton holiday are more enjoyable than sitting on a waterfront terrace, ordering something truly delicious and admiring the lake’s seemingly endless blue. Borcsa Étterem is one of Balatonfüred’s best-known waterfront restaurants, where traditional Hungarian cooking, exciting fish dishes and modern gastronomy meet wonderful views of the Tihany Peninsula.

At the eastern end of Tagore promenade, beside Esterházy beach, the restaurant has been part of Balatonfüred’s food scene for more than four decades. Completely renewed in 2023, Borcsa now welcomes guests with huge, elegant terraces, a varied menu and surroundings that can easily turn an ordinary lunch into one of a holiday’s loveliest memories.

Whether you are planning a romantic dinner, coming for a family lunch or simply feeling hungry after a long walk along Tagore promenade, finding a dish to suit you is easy at Borcsa.

Lunch above Lake Balaton: Borcsa Étterem’s greatest treasure is its view

One of Borcsa Étterem’s biggest attractions is its setting. The 250-seat terrace facing Lake Balaton offers guests the shimmering water and the Tihany Peninsula. It is the kind of view that tempts you to put even the menu aside for a few minutes.

Furnished in a Mediterranean style, the terrace is protected from strong sunshine and rain by a modern bioclimatic pergola. It offers a pleasant dining environment not just on perfect summer days, but in changeable weather too.

The other terrace, with 200 seats, looks directly onto Tagore promenade. Here the bustle of Füred’s waterfront walk, passing pedestrians and the lively mood of a Balaton summer provide the backdrop. This partly glazed, opening space combines shelter with an outdoor experience.

When the weather turns cooler, the elegant wood-panelled dining room is also a pleasant place for a leisurely lunch or dinner.

Part of Balatonfüred hospitality since 1984

Borcsa Étterem’s story began in 1984, when it opened on Balatonfüred’s waterfront. Over the ensuing decades it became one of the town’s recognised restaurants, welcoming locals, holidaymakers, returning guests and international tourists alike.

The restaurant underwent a major renewal in 2023. Modernised interiors, up-to-date terrace coverings and a versatile layout brought fresh energy to the venue, while classic Hungarian dishes remained an important part of its cooking.

This dual character is one of Borcsa’s distinctive features. Alongside the familiar, substantial food of traditional Balaton restaurants, the menu offers lighter Mediterranean-inspired dishes, more contemporary meat presentations and unusual fish combinations.

Borcsa Étterem’s menu: from Balaton classics to modern specialities

Borcsa Étterem’s menu is particularly appealing to those who enjoy plenty of choice. There is no need to compromise if one guest wants fish, another a hearty Hungarian meat dish and a third would rather choose light pasta or a salad.

The selection includes steaming kettle-style soups, classic stews, meats cooked to order, various fish, grilled meats, game and Mediterranean-inspired dishes.

One of the kitchen’s most interesting qualities is its confidence with more modern flavour combinations alongside traditional Hungarian food. Familiar ingredients such as pike-perch, catfish, duck and pork tenderloin come to the table with distinctive sauces, risottos and exciting accompaniments.

Borcsa can therefore be both a traditional Balaton restaurant and a versatile modern dining venue.

Balaton pike-perch reimagined: one of the most tempting choices

Sitting beside Lake Balaton, it is hard to resist a good fish dish. Borcsa’s fish selection is particularly varied, offering exciting choices from classic pike-perch fillet to more modern combinations.

One of the most interesting dishes is skin-on roasted pike-perch loin with lemon-and-dill tagliatelle and pea purée. The freshness of lemon, dill’s distinctive aroma and the pleasant sweetness of peas beautifully complement the fish’s delicate white flesh.

If you prefer classic flavours, breaded pike-perch fillet with parsley potatoes and tartare sauce is a dependable option. Fish beneath a crisp coating and a traditional side form one of Balaton dining’s most popular pairings.

The grilled fish trio is a particularly good option for those wishing to try several fish. Salmon fillet, catfish fillet and skin-on pike-perch fillet share a plate with wide noodles with garlic and spinach.

The menu also includes whole roasted trout, salmon, red tuna steak and traditional fisherman’s soup, so fish lovers genuinely have plenty to choose from.

Catfish fillet with wild mushroom paprikash: Hungarian flavours with a twist

One of Borcsa’s most exciting fish dishes is grilled catfish fillet with wild mushroom paprikash and curd-cheese pasta.

This dish beautifully demonstrates how traditional Hungarian cooking can meet a more creative restaurant approach. The distinctive yet pleasant flavour of catfish pairs with the rich mushroom paprikash sauce, while curd-cheese pasta gives the combination a thoroughly Hungarian finish.

Full mushroom aromas, sour cream and curd-cheese flavours, and grilled fish together make a particularly tempting choice for anyone seeking something more exciting than the usual breaded fish.

Add a glass of Balaton white wine and you have the makings of a truly memorable waterfront lunch.

The giant Wiener schnitzel: when size is part of the experience

Classic meat dishes naturally have their place on Borcsa’s menu too. One guest favourite is the giant Wiener schnitzel, served with Viennese potato salad or mixed sides and redcurrant compote.

A golden-brown schnitzel with a crisp coating is a pleasure in itself for fans of traditional restaurant cooking. When the meat on the plate is genuinely impressive in size, the experience can become even more memorable.

The redcurrant compote is a particularly interesting addition to Borcsa’s version, its fruity acidity providing a pleasant counterpoint to the richness of breaded meat.

Alongside classic breaded cutlets, garlicky cigánypecsenye, Brassó-style diced pork, BBQ ribs and various stuffed meats strengthen the Hungarian selection.

These are the dishes that make you want to linger on the terrace a little longer before continuing your day at the lake.

Borcsa platter for two: a true shared feast

If two of you are visiting and enjoy generous meat dishes, the Borcsa platter is a particularly tempting choice.

The platter for two includes grilled pork tenderloin medallions, beef fillet medallions, pork loin, marinated chicken breast, turkey breast, grilled sausage, an omelette and crisp bacon. Hungarian lecsó, potatoes, rice, steamed vegetables and salad accompany the meats.

This is more than a main course: it is a proper shared feast. It can be an especially good choice for a long family lunch or meeting with friends when you do not want to commit to just one dish.

Borcsa also offers a generous family platter for four, featuring confit duck leg, turkey breast stuffed with goose liver, pork tenderloin in a potato coating and breaded chicken breast.

If you prefer fish, the mixed fish platter for two with salmon, pike-perch, trout and catfish can be an excellent alternative.

Kettle-style goulash, fisherman’s soup and familiar Hungarian soups

A substantial soup makes a satisfying start to a generous Hungarian lunch. Borcsa’s menu has no shortage of these either.

Kettle-style goulash can be ordered in a cup or a small cauldron, making it suitable either as the start of a lighter lunch or as a substantial dish in its own right.

Fisherman’s soup with catfish fillet or fish offal also evokes classic meals by Lake Balaton. Its deep paprika flavour and characterful fish suit a leisurely waterfront lunch particularly well.

The selection also includes rooster soup, broth with homemade veal liver dumplings, game ragout soup with tarragon and seasonal cream soups.

If you are looking for traditional Hungarian flavours, the soups are a good place to begin exploring the menu.

Mediterranean pasta, distinctive burgers and lighter lunches

Borcsa works particularly well for groups in which everyone wants something different. Alongside Hungarian dishes, Italian-style pasta and more modern bistro food also play important roles.

Tagliatelle with garlic-and-chilli prawns, sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan is distinctly Mediterranean. Salmon spaghetti with tomato-and-cream sauce may appeal to lovers of creamier pasta dishes.

The burgers include an Angus beef version with Cheddar, bacon and thick-cut chips. For fans of bolder flavours, the selection even includes an Angus burger enriched with goose liver.

If you fancy something lighter, you can choose grilled salmon salad, vegetable dishes and various meat-free options.

This versatility is particularly valuable for a popular Balaton restaurant welcoming families, groups of friends, couples and international guests at the same time.

Vegetarian dishes that are more than an afterthought

Borcsa’s vegetarian selection includes several dishes that go beyond the usual breaded cheese.

Chickpea stew with wild mushrooms and bulgur is a particularly interesting choice. The rich, full flavours of chickpeas and wild mushrooms provide a substantial meat-free main course.

Porcini paprikash with dumplings recalls classic Hungarian flavours, while celeriac steak with basil couscous takes a more modern, Mediterranean-inspired direction.

Breaded Camembert with caramelised peach and cranberries may be particularly tempting for those who enjoy sweet-and-savoury combinations.

Guests who do not eat meat therefore need not necessarily settle for a side dish or salad.

A little sweet indulgence beside Lake Balaton

After a really good lunch, saying no to dessert is not easy, especially when the menu features treats such as pistachio tiramisu, a chocolate volcano or traditional Gundel pancakes.

Pistachio tiramisu can be a particularly appealing choice for lovers of Italian sweets. This soft, creamy dessert and pistachio’s distinctive flavour make an excellent conclusion to a Mediterranean-inspired lunch.

The chocolate volcano with raspberry ragout flavoured with honey and orange liqueur is a different experience entirely. Rich chocolate meets the pleasant acidity of raspberries, offering dessert lovers a genuine treat.

If you would prefer Hungarian classics, Gundel pancakes or curd-cheese dumplings with strawberry sauce and sour cream are equally excellent choices.

Add an espresso, a comfortable terrace table and the sight of Lake Balaton: it is hard to wish for a better finish to a summer lunch.

A glass of Balaton wine with views of the Tihany Peninsula

Balatonfüred and its surroundings are famous not only for waterfront walks but also for wine. Borcsa’s drinks list includes carefully selected bottles from the Balaton wine regions.

A light Olaszrizling with pike-perch, a fresh rosé on a summer afternoon or a fuller-bodied red with a richer meat dish can pleasantly complement the culinary experience.

The restaurant’s waterside terrace is a particularly atmospheric place for a glass of wine. As the afternoon light gradually softens, Lake Balaton and the Tihany Peninsula reveal ever-changing views.

If you are not in a hurry, time dinner so you can enjoy the late-afternoon light too.

Borcsa Beach Bistro: more casual bites for beach days

One interesting feature of Borcsa Étterem is that, alongside conventional restaurant dining, it also accommodates summer beach life.

During the beach season, the building’s semicircular ground-floor section welcomes guests from Esterházy beach as Beach Bistro. Its more informal service is ideal for those seeking something delicious during or after swimming without organising an elegant restaurant outing.

For beachgoers, this is particularly convenient. They need not go far from the water when hunger strikes, while the main restaurant’s more elegant spaces continue to offer a full lunch or dinner.

During the rest of the year, Beach Bistro can function as an event space and à la carte dining room, allowing Borcsa to make versatile use of its exceptional waterfront setting.

A romantic dinner, family lunch or special celebration?

Borcsa provides pleasant surroundings for more than everyday meals. Its spacious terraces, private rooms and panoramic event spaces can also make it a popular choice for weddings, family celebrations and corporate events.

The main indoor restaurant can accommodate 180 guests, while the upstairs panoramic room offers a distinctive backdrop for larger gatherings. The lake view can make a wedding dinner or family celebration memorable too.

Younger guests have their own dishes on the menu, making it easier to find suitable choices for family meals.

Borcsa can therefore be a good idea not only for couples, but also for larger families and groups with different tastes.

Tagore promenade, Esterházy beach and a pleasant afternoon in Füred

Few Balaton activities are as timeless as a walk along Balatonfüred’s famous Tagore promenade. Huge trees, well-kept parks, waterfront benches and the closeness of the lake reveal one of the town’s loveliest sides.

Borcsa Étterem stands at the promenade’s eastern end, so it can become a natural part of a longer outing in Füred.

Spend the afternoon by the water, explore the harbour area, stop for a coffee and finish the day with a leisurely dinner.

In summer, the proximity of Esterházy beach makes the venue particularly attractive. A hearty lunch can be welcome after swimming, while in the evening the waterfront panorama gives the meal an entirely different atmosphere.