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Hours
Wed
6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Thu
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Fri
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
MICHELIN
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
Travelers' Choice 2023
MICHELIN
View more on MICHELIN GuideRATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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PRICE RANGE
$11.00 – $141.00
CUISINES
European, Healthy, Portuguese, Central European, Hungarian
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
features
MICHELIN Guide's Point of View
Portuguese chef-owner Tiago and his Hungarian wife Éva have created a warmly run and deliciously different restaurant in the heart of the city. A small...
Read more on MICHELIN GuideOne MICHELIN Star: High quality cooking, worth a stop!
Can a gluten free person get a good meal at this restaurant?
Details
About
Situated in Downtown of Budapest, the Michelin star's Essencia Restaurant-Tiago & Eva features the taste of Portuguese and Hungarian cuisine from childhood memories with modern top gastronomy.
PRICE RANGE
$11.00 – $141.00
CUISINES
European, Healthy, Portuguese, Central European, Hungarian
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Family style, Non-smoking restaurants, Gift Cards Available
Contribute
4.5
70 reviews
Excellent
55
Very good
8
Average
3
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Nikos G
8 contributions
Dec 2021 • none
While visiting foreign countries i try to dine in a Michelin restaurant.
Essencia was one of the two that had availability and a more affordable price on the menu for the entire party so we booked a table there.
The restaurant is nice, not very formal which gives a more relaxed vibe.
Now about the food, we tried both of the 5 courses menu. Each menu had a better plate for each stage. Meaning there is not a clear winner in regards to the menus. Food was nice and tasteful but i did not find anything innovative that i have not seen or tasted before (maybe the mangalica was something i had not tried before).
Overall i think someone will leave satisfied by the food quality and portions but wont remember the menu after a long time.
The wine list was pretty nice and the wines we tried, were very nice. However i am not a wine expert myself. Therefore hard to judge
Now one negative thing that happened, was with the welcoming plate. The fish croquet. The piece were served on a plate with rocks and under the croquet there was a piece of paper so you can pick it up. We found only in one of the plates folded pieces of paper. We assumed that they were from previous dinners which ate their piece and judge folded it and placed it in the plate.
We mentioned it to the sommelier since he was the one that picked up our last plate. The response we got is that it was intentional and that they fold papers and put them in the rocks.
This made no sense, since only one of the plates had such papers and also the papers seemed dirty (with oil probably). I find such excuses really bad for a restaurant that has a Michelin star and where we paid 40+ Euros just for service Tip.
So yeah restaurant might be worth a visit, not sure thought how it could compare with other Michelin restaurants in the city
Written December 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Max
New York City13 contributions
Sep 2022 • none
I really enjoyed my solo a la carte lunch at Essencia. The service and attention to detail were immediately Michelin-worthy. The dishes and little playful amuse bouches were nicely passed, and the portion sizes were generous. The white chocolate dessert was the absolute start of the meal for me, while the main of cod and caviar was a bit of a disappointment and lacked the depth of typical Michelin dishes. However, the waiter seemed grateful for my feedback, and service overall was cordial and quick, if not the warmest. Finally, the juice pairings were excellent - just note that different juices have different prices.
Written September 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andre B
Budapest235 contributions
Oct 2020 • none
This restaurant recently opened and is now certainly one of the best in Budapest already.
Short uncomplicated menus with 5 dishes. You can choose amongst a Portuguese flavours or Hungarian flavours. The selection costs around 55 Euros per person.
Written October 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
saritibor
Dear Andre B!
Thank you very much for your review! It makes us happy that you were satisfied with the restaurant.
We are grateful that you rated us as one of the best restaurant in Budapest.
We hope we will have the chance to welcoming you back in the near future!
Kind regards,
Essência Restaurant team
Written October 31, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Eva D
Budapest28 contributions
Dec 2021 • none
We visited this place to celebrate our wedding anniversary. The Place is nice, decoration is fancy and I must admit, that the starter, the bread and desert were good. But everything in between was way below expectations, even below average food quality. We were very dissapointed. The two main dish (fish and pork) were dry and tasteless, the garnish was raw and tasteless as if cooked in salty water without spices. Our waiters were unattentive, even rude once, the somelier was not prepared with portuguese wine selection. And the price was the highest we ever paid for a dinner in this country. Never again.
Written January 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruth S
Ramstein-Miesenbach61 contributions
Oct 2021 • couples
We tried to fall in love with this place, but it wasn’t delivering on our Michelin star expectations. No doubt the food was delicious and the wine selection amazing, but it seemed to leave a little wanting when it came to the details (water marks on the wine glasses, etc). We ordered both the Hungarian and Portuguese menus and agreed mutually that the actual food was less impressive than what we had anticipated. One staff member was especially kurt, which we typically wouldn’t even notice, but it made the service feel a little tense. Overall, we would still recommend, but it’s just not as good as we had hoped. You will still love the ambiance and Portuguese/Hungarian flare they offer. We were thrilled to have green wine and enjoy a great 5-course tasting menu.
Written October 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dgpapazoglou
Heraklion55 contributions
Aug 2021 • couples
This restaurant is an excellent choice for fine dining in Budapest. Both 5 dish menu that we tasted were perfectly balanced in flavour and texture. The service was professional, while people were friendly and polite. Prices are a little bit on the high end, but overall it it is a really good value for money.
Written August 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheGreedySheik
16 contributions
Aug 2023 • family
Probably one of the nicest restaurants I've been to. A really well though out decor with glass wine chillers at the end of the main dining room in an understated but stylish interior. The blend of Hungarian and Portuguese cuisine works incredibly well with the excellent wine pairings.
A generous set lunch with sparkling wine and service came to £67 each for the three of us - a bargain by UK standards. The octopus starter was the stand out but all the dishes were excellent. In the reviews several people have been more than once in the same holiday and I can see why. Given more time we would have too.
Written August 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lakatos D
Budapest89 contributions
Jun 2022 • none
This lunch was a wedding gift from a couple of friends, and we did not before we arrived that it has a Michelin Star! Actually, my husband did not know until we part from our friends and I told him because the only indicator was a sticker next to the entrance.
Before we got anything, they brought a small plate with some sort of fried mash potato wedges as complimentary gift from the chef!
We ordered appetizers, I had the Caldo Verde potato soup, and my hubby had the onion consommé(soup) with black garlic and cottage cheese (túró). Both of our bowls arrived without the actual soup, the waiters poured them into the bowls after they told us what we get and what is in each food(they did that with every course).
As main, I ordered the lamb sided with green peas and caramelized yogurt. The meat has a very thin slice of bacon on top, and it was really tender. The caramelized yogurt was exquisite, never tried anything before!
My husband ordered the mangalica(pork) with coriander „açorda”(kind of a bread pudding with coriander) and clams. It was really good, looked like a thin slice of steak.
For dessert, I tried apple pie with rhubarb. It was that kind of deconstructed food where they use all the traditional ingredients but in a different way. They used bow fresh apples and cooked and mashed apple puree for the filling, with fresh rhubarb, rhubarb puree, "biscuits" made of pie crust, white chocolate pieces, and a really airy white stuff that sadly I don't remember what was made of. But tasted really good :D Hubs ordered the "Azores" pineapple with basil, which was a basil sorbet with thinly sliced pineapple shaped like a rose and some sort of bready-spongey crust pieces. Both of our desserts came with edible flowers.
After everything, we got another complimentary gift, four little pastel de nata, and we ordered coffee to pair them with.
The whole experience was really pleasant, the staff was super friendly, helpful and kind. We had a bottle of white wine fro the four of us, it was really fresh and tasty. Also still and sparkling water and lemonades. Great experience, highly recommended.
Written June 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ludmikrama
15 contributions
Oct 2023 • friends
We went to a restaurant with friends for dinner. We decided for a non-alcoholic pairing with our meal. It was quite disappointing - it tasted like fruit juices similar to "Pago," almost like fruit puree. It didn't complement the food at all. The food itself was not up to the standards expected from such a restaurant, and the prices were not justified. The duck breasts were unnecessarily high and tough. The crab soup was good, but they served it cold.
The staff was friendly and attentive, and the ambiance was fine.
Written October 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KovácsZoliPisti
Budapest648 contributions
Nov 2023 • family
In Budapest, "essencia® RESTAURANT Tiago & Éva" offers the best of Portuguese and Hungarian cuisine side by side, in a high quality, intimate setting, with professional service. Portuguese cuisine, with its focus on the "fruits of the sea", and Hungarian cuisine, with its focus on the "delicacies of the land", are presented in harmony with each other, with some "cross-over" of the "fusion" cuisine, but both retain their own character. At our birthday dinner, we sampled the degustation menus of "home" (Portuguese) and "at home" (Hungarian). Both were very tasty and enjoyable, with the Portuguese menu featuring mackerel ravioli and aged beef ribeye, and the Hungarian menu with duck cvekedli and venison spine with forest mushrooms and dumplings standing out from the field. The welcome bites were a pleasant way to set the mood, and the truffle flavouring, which could be ordered separately, added quality to our "dinner tour". The quality of the ingredients, the perfect harmony and orgy of flavours and colours, the high standard of service, showed that the "essencia®" deserved the Michelin star.
Written January 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hajnalka
1 contribution
Jan 2022 • none
Unfortunately, I never got around to sampling the food.
The woman handling reservations did not speak English, and promptly hung up on me. I tried calling back half a dozen times, but each time she simply disconnected the call - very unprofessional.
When will Hungarian restaurants realise that a big part of a fine dining experience includes good customer service?
I have decided to spend my money elsewhere!
Written January 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
#rooftopfoodie
Zurich4985 contributions
Jan 2022 • family
Combining two such great cuisines as the Hungarian and the Portuguese is no small undertaking but Essencia delivers is beautifully with tasty, creative yet sumptuous dishes. The mangalica pork with coriander acorda was a particular highlight as was the cod and caviar dish.
The service was impeccable from the last minute booking to the welcome and the waiting staff. The wine pairing is also worth the try but their wine list is also more than satisfactory from light and easy vino verdes to hearty tempranillos and more.
Written January 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maozre
19 contributions
Aug 2022 • none
We visited the restaurant (Dad + 2 sons...) in lunch time where you can select from the a la carte menu (that is if you do not want a 5-6 courses set menu), we enjoyed all dishes but especially the Strawberry gazpacho, cereal risotto & for desert the white chocolate , wines suggested by the sommelier were also very good !!
Service was professional and friendly and all questions were fully answered.
will definitely return when back in Budapest
Written August 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Benamard
Rehovot2713 contributions
Sep 2022 • solo
I love both kitchens so I chose the mixed tasting menu with wine paring. The sommelier was excellent, I found wine pairings were exquisite and enjoy the knowledge shared with me. I found some of the portions a bit on the small size, but had a wonderful experience overall.
Written September 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christian K
Zurich10 contributions
May 2022 • couples
Solid 1 star Michelin experience- we loved the concept of the Hungarian and Portuguese mix. Prices are definitely good for the experience, location, food and service. The wine pairing was decent for the price and we guess that’s the maximum the restaurant can charge their customers… but maybe an optional upgraded flight would be a great addition.
Written May 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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