Mala Garden is in Siófok at Petőfi sétány 15/A, on the Gold Coast, right by the water. Bali-inspired interiors, natural materials, a waterfront terrace with wooden furniture and parasols in summer, and soft guitar music at weekends. Open daily, all year.
Asia, Mediterranean, Hungarian
The kitchen mixes Far Eastern, Mediterranean and Hungarian flavours, so everyone at one table finds something. To start, Thai vegetable soup with coconut milk and prawns; for mains, Peking duck breast with sweet potato purée and sesame hoisin, or the house favourite, Spaghetti al Pesce San Marzano with salmon, squid and tiger prawns. For dessert, Belgian chocolate soufflé with vanilla ice cream.
Meat-free there’s roasted aubergine cream, Thai vegetable soup or porcini risotto with burrata. There’s pizza too. The wine list has Balaton and other Hungarian wineries.
The terrace
Best for a romantic dinner or an anniversary, but works with family too. The car park is reached from Táncsics utca and is partly paid. With a dog, arrange a spot when booking.
Good to know
A 14% service charge is added; a main with a drink is 10–16 thousand HUF, three courses 18–26 thousand HUF. Some wrote about rude service and over-salted dishes. Ask for a table facing the water when booking.
Who it’s for
Couples who want a waterfront dinner in Siófok and would rather eat something more exotic than Hungarian.
The person behind the place
Three cuisines on one menu
László Forisek has led Mala Garden's kitchen for years. His job is to keep a fragrant Thai soup, a Mediterranean seafood pasta and a Hungarian roast duck coherent on the same menu.
Forisek László, head chefWorth a taste
Spaghetti al Pesce San Marzano
San Marzano tomato spaghetti with salmon, squid, tiger prawns and capers.
Local tip
Ask for a water-facing table
When booking, say you'd like to sit on the terrace facing the water. Start with a glass of Balaton wine and leave time for the soufflé. There's guitar music at weekends.
The BalatonEats meal plan
How to put your meal together
- 01Thai vegetable soup
With coconut milk and prawns.
- 02Peking duck breast
Sweet potato purée, chilli cucumber, hoisin.
- 03Belgian chocolate soufflé
With vanilla ice cream and forest fruits.
What guests say
What stays with guests?
The waterfront setting is the biggest draw, and guests also praise the Asian and seafood dishes, big portions and wines. Prices and service sometimes get criticism.
Based on Siófok Mala Garden Restaurant's Tripadvisor guest reviews, Google feedback shown on Restaurant Guru and DiningCity restaurant reviews. Gault&Millau's professional rating was treated separately from guest opinions. Reviews of the Mala Garden hotel, its rooms and wellness services were not automatically treated as restaurant experiences.+
What brings people back
- Waterfront terrace, Balaton panorama.
- Thai, Mediterranean and Hungarian dishes.
- Seafood pastas, fish dishes.
- Varied menu.
!
Good to know before you go
- Premium prices.
- 14% service charge.
- Variable service.
- Over-salted dishes: according to some guests.
Photo credits
Photographs supplied for the BalatonEats profile.
