By the 1890s many major European cities already had market halls, such as the famous Les Halles in Paris or Covent Garden in London , and others cities like Barcelona , Berlin , Florence and Lyons were to follow this trend. It was around this time that Budapest 's councillors thought that the Hungarian capital should also have such a hall. Architect Samu Petz was commissioned to draft the design of the new structure, in which he applied the then fashionable Eiffel style, and 1896 saw the opening of the Budapest Market Hall. In 1994, after large-scale reconstruction and modernisation, it acquired its present grandeur, immediately becoming one of Budapest's top tourist attractions.

What is it that makes the building so popular and attractive? During the day it is filled with housewives deciding what they are going to put on the dining table in the evening, and you may well be wondering what ladies in Budapest typically cook for their families. It is this you can learn about during the gastronomic event offered to tourist groups at the Fakanál Restaurant upstairs on the gallery. In addition to tasting what the vendors sell downstairs, such as Herz salami, Gyulai sausages, crackling, juicy peppers and tomatoes, kőrözött (a spread made with sheep quark) and delicious fruits, guests can help themselves to substantial portions of a variety of delicious dishes simmering on the stoves.

During the day the Market Hall is Budapest's pantry. But after the doors close in the evening, this imposing building becomes a palace of gastronomy.

It is one of the best venues in Budapest for informal private functions.

Programmes matching the ambience of the Hall perfectly are offered to go with seated or standing receptions.

INFORMATION
Opening hours of the Central Market Hall
7.00-18.00 Monday-Friday
7.00-14.00 Saturday
CLOSED on Sundays and official holidays.

Taste the good things in Budapest's pantry

Our unique program - "Taste the good things in Budapest's pantry" - is designed to let tourists see the products stallholders offer in the Central Market Hall and the shopping habits of Hungarian housewives. We also give a taste of the everyday dishes Hungarian housewives cook at home.

The venue is the air-conditioned Fakanál (Wooden Spoon) Restaurant covering 300 m 2 in the gallery of Budapest's Central Market Hall. The inside room seats 120 persons, the further 50-60 persons can have their meals on the terrace. The program lasts 45 minutes. During this time guests can sample their choice of our hot and cold dishes, as well as quality wines and soft drinks in a self-service, seated reception system. Besides the food, we also pay special attention to the atmosphere and visual impact.

We receive the group with pleasant music selected from works of Hungarian composers and of foreign composers with a Hungarian theme (e.g. Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody, Brahms: Hungarian Dances), with the dishes set out on prepared and attractively decorated serving carts, and a rustic home stove. We set up a separate drink counter close to the entrance, consisting of a bar-height table or serving cart. Guests select freely from the hot and cold dishes in a self-service.

The experiences of last year's show, there are claims to cheaper and more frugal meals, maybe to consume snacks and a good glass of wine. That's why we have completed our offer with the "Morning feast" and the "Nibbling in the Market" programmes.

We offer only Hungarian products for our guests in the restaurant!

Cold dishes served on two-wheel carts
- cold meats (daisy ham, ham, various salamis, sausage, liver paste, crackling)
- selection of cheese (Camembert, Trappista, smoked and processed cheese)
- fresh vegetables (green pepper, tomato, cucumber, radish, spring onion)
- pickles (mixed pickles, pickled cabbage)
- dairy products (curd cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese spread, butter)
- stewed or fresh fruit (apple, pear, grapes, nut, peach, apricot, melon, cherry)
- fresh home-made bread, selection of rolls and pastries

Hot dishes served on the rustic home stove
- soup (goulash soup, tarragon meat soup)
- Hungarian style vegetable dish + meat (depending on the season: Savoy cabbage, split peas, pumpkin, beans, etc.)
- pörkölt (beef or chicken)
- garnish (dumplings, tarhonya, potatoes with parsley)
- stuffed dish (stuffed cabbage, stuffed paprika)
- layered dish (layered potato, layered cabbage)
- noodle dish (noodles with cabbage, pasta with soft cheese and cracklings)
- dessert (Varga strudel cake, poppy-seed biscuit, strudel)

Selection of wines
- 2 x 0,1 l. good quality red or white wine, OR
- fruit juice
- mineral water

Duration of the programme: 45 minutes
Number of guests: 10-170 persons
Lunch is served between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Nibbling in the Market
You can sample the flavours of the Market Hall between main meals if you select our "Nibbling in the Market" programme. A few tasty mouthfuls will give a unique introduction to the tastes of Hungary and the good things available in the Market Hall.

The Light Snack programme takes the form of a buffet reception with a variety of Hungarian-style snacks arranged on trays placed on tables spread with checked tablecloths for guests to sample. A large selection of fruit in season is offered on carts. We provide good quality red and white wine, as well as Hungarian fruit juices.

Duration of programme: 30 minutes
Number of guests: 10-400 persons

The Snacks for Big Eaters programme contains the selection of cold dishes offered in the basic "Taste the good things in Budapest's pantry" program, allowing guests to eat all they wish and wash down the delicious food with fine wines and Hungarian soft drinks.

The atmosphere of the program is fully in harmony with the Market Hall environment and the accustomed "Taste the good things in Budapest's pantry" programme. The tasty salamis, sausages, cheeses and various dairy products are arranged on wooden platters on decorative carts, while the drinks are served from bar-height tables. Seating is provided for guests during the programme. The sampling of snacks is an encouragement to buy some of the delicacies on sale in the Market Hall.

Duration of the programme: 30-40 minutes
Number of guests: 10-100 persons
Time of both programmes: 9.00-12.00 or 15.00-18.00