We recently participated in a tour called Authentic Flavors of Jewish Budapest, offered by Context Travel and Taste Hungary. If you’ve already been on a tour with Context Travel, you probably know that they stand out in the travel industry with their in-depth tours, led by the so-called docents, who are all highly qualified professionals in their fields. Taste Hungary is a Budapest-based company that offers a great selection of events and tours around wine and culinary experiences.
However, despite the name, this tour is not only about culinary adventures. In fact, the first part, offered by Context Travel, is a 4-hour walking tour in the Jewish district, and it is only during the second part, when we actually get to immerse ourselves in the pleasures of Jewish cuisine. Therefore, we recommend that you take a small snack with you for the first part of the tour, as you’ll probably need some energy refill during those four hours.
Exterior of the Dohány Synagogue. Photo: Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
If you look at the description on Context Travel’s website, you might be surprised that the tour lasts for 7 hours. So it’s definitely not one of those quick walking tours, when you get some basic info and then off you go. With that in mind, our docent, Szonja didn’t disappoint us: she was very knowledgable and was happy to answer all our questions.
The tour covered some main locations in the Jewish district, including the Dohány-, the Rumbach- and the Kazinczy Synagogues, as well as the Carl Lutz memorial, but Szonja also shared a lot of stories with us about the everyday Jewish life in Budapest.
Inside the beautiful Dohány Synagogue. Photo: Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
After the walking tour, we were ready for our lunch, prepared by Maja, wife of the late Rabbi Tamás Raj. In the last couple of years, apartment restaurants have become very popular in Budapest as they provide a cozy and local dining experience. It was no different at Maja’s home, where we had the chance to admire the incredible library of her late husband, as well as some beautiful items, used during Jewish Holidays.
After we tasted some home-made pálinka, we had a kosher-style lunch with typical Jewish dishes, including eggplant spread, foie gras, gefilte fish, roasted goose leg, and roasted beef tongue with horseradish sauce. One of the highlights of the day was our dessert, the famous flódni from the cake shop of Rachel, Maja’s daughter.
For this part of the tour, our guide was Anna from Taste Hungary, who not only answered our questions about the various dishes, but also told us about some Jewish customs and about the young Jewish community in Budapest. When traveling, food is always a great way to learn about your destination, so if you’re interested in Hungarian Jewish life, then you can certainly count on Taste Hungary.
The Authentic Flavors of Jewish Budapest tour is ideal for visitors who want to develop an in-depth understanding of Jewish Budapest through history and culinary experiences. Our fees were covered by Context Travel and Taste Hungary, but all opinions and observations are our own. Featured image by Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local. Scroll down to see our pictures of the tour.
Click here to book your tour
TIME Tours start at either 10am (with lunch) or at 3pm (with dinner)
DURATION 7 hours
PRICES $212/person (for groups, maximum 6 people)
Inside the beautiful Dohány Synagogue. Photo: Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
The sculpture in the Synagogue garden by Imre Varga, depicting a weeping willow tree. The leaves reveal names of Holocaust victims. Photo: Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
The breathtaking interior of Rumbach Synagogue. Photo: Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
An original piece of a barbed wire, the painful reminder of the Budapest ghetto, is still visible today just off of Király Street. Photo: Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
Inside the Orthodox Synagogue on Kazinczy Street. Photo: Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
Szonja is explaining the incredible decorating elements of the Orthodox Synagogue on Kazinczy Street. Photo: Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
Some home-made pálinka tasting before lunch starts. Photo: Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
Gefilte fish, a typical Jewish dish. Photo: Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
Roasted goose leg with corn, figs and pickles. Photo: Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
We couldn’t get enough of the delicious food. Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
Roasted beef tongue with horseradish sauce. Photo: Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
We were all impressed by the delicious flódni from the cake shop of Maja’s daughter, Rachel. Photo: Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
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