The Gourmet Festival is held again in Budapest between May 24 and May 26, the most renowned event for gastronomy enthusiasts. The theme of the festival this year was “Inspiring Women.” In previous years, there were similar conceptual categories, such as “Heritage” or “New Generation.”
We visited the festival on its opening day, Friday, which got off to a slow start due to rainy weather in the morning. Despite this, visitors were already strolling through the event area when it opened at 11 a.m. Many came equipped with umbrellas and raincoats, determined not to let the weather ruin a perfect culinary day.
Oysters: A bold choice with a feminine twist
When talking about female energies, we cannot overlook the Oyster Sommelier stand. You have often heard in movies that oysters are an aphrodisiac. Due to their high zinc content, they can indeed have beneficial effects on women.
Many people are afraid of consuming oysters, not just because of the taste and experience, but because it’s important to have fresh and high-quality oysters. At this stand, interested visitors had a safe opportunity to try them.
The weather clears, and so do the crowds
Despite the initial bad weather, more and more people showed up at the festival venue after the sun came out in the afternoon. Then the venue quickly filled with guests eager to eat, drink, and explore.
The festival grounds, surrounded by greenery and thoughtfully designed with lounges, cocktail bars, and shaded seating areas, created an environment where people could linger, chat, and savor every moment. It wasn’t just a food event—it felt like a celebration of community, creativity, and the art of slow enjoyment.
Drinks, drinks, drinks
The Gourmet Festival is not just about food. Visitors could also enjoy a wide selection of drinks, from specialty cocktails and fine wines to craft beers, artisan coffee, and a range of non-alcoholic beverages.
Culinary overload – in the best way
Back to the eating! With over 100 exhibitors, the festival offered a dizzying array of extraordinary dishes from top restaurants.
The catering establishments paid attention to various food allergies, offering lactose-free, gluten-free, as well as vegetarian and vegan dishes. With so many options available, it was easy to get lost in all the choices, but whatever you chose, you could surely taste the best flavor harmonies.
From hot to cold, from local to global, the Gourmet Festival was a true culinary journey. At the Majorelle stand, for example, guests could savor authentic and exceptionally tasty Moroccan dishes.
Desserts that don’t break the bank
This year, similar to the Sziget Festival, at the Gourmet Festival, we also encountered “well-priced” foods for 2500 HUF. Some restaurants offered multiple dishes in this range. For less than that, you could grab a slice of pizza or a pastry.
Desserts were especially well-represented in this price category. For example, guests could try flódni—a traditional Ashkenazi Jewish layered pastry—or the iconic Gundel pancake, a hallmark of Hungarian dessert culture.
There was a clear effort to blend tradition with innovation, making even familiar dishes feel new and exciting.
“Flower Garden”
One standout contributor was Chef Ákos Sárközi, who took the festival’s “Inspiring Women” theme to heart. His menu was built around concepts that many associate with femininity—cappuccino, luxury, and flowers—and his presentation matched this vision beautifully.
His dessert creation, Flower Garden, captured feminine energy both in appearance and flavor, offering a true sensory experience.
A festival worth returning to
Despite the rainy start, Friday afternoon brought a vibrant atmosphere to the 2024 Gourmet Festival. Whether you’re a serious gourmand or just enjoy trying new things, the festival offers something memorable.
If you can and have the chance to taste some delicious dishes, you still have two more days for that this year. You can find further information about the event here.
