5 fine dining restaurants on the northern shore and beyond

Grøenk Deli's name refers to the Dutch word b"green", which tries to express the environmentally conscious, local approach of the bistro. Those who are big hamburger fanatics or gastro-fans are most likely familiar with the popular bistro and delicatessen of Lake Velence, which opened its second store near Lake Balaton. The essence of the place lies in comprehensibility and quality, on their menu you can also find stuffed peppers with Megyaszó mangalica and green pea stew, as well as unique burgers, great steaks and various grilled dishes.

A Provençal feeling of life, dolce vita and so many concepts that express delicacies come to life in the apartment restaurant in Zalahaláp. The bistro that stylistically opened on Valentine's Day is located in the heart of the Tapolcai basin, 20 km from Lake Balaton. Upon entering, you will feel as if you have dropped into a friendly party: every detail of the milieu and vintage-style interior evokes the warmth of home. The menu is short, but of high quality: fresh, typically Mediterranean dishes are served, with a little extra. And those who want not only a tasty dinner, but also a little relaxation, can choose from three rooms with separate entrances to fully enjoy the atmosphere of the area.

In Salföld, Káli Fecske, standing on the ruins of an old school, encompasses not only the world of restaurants, but also culture. Taking into account its gastro-philosophy, it preserves values ​​rather than rethinking them - so it welcomes visitors with homemade bistro flavours that match the milieu of the settlement. Its short, but current menu includes strawberry cream soup, sirloin steak with fried egg, and curd dumplings depending on the season. The dishes of the Fecske can be tasted not only at lunch and dinner, but also in the early hours: to the delight of brunch lovers, breakfast is also available. In addition to culinary experiences, colourful cultural and entertainment programmes await guests: the event space hosts literary evenings, garden cinema, jazz concerts and other performances. Káli Fecske tastefully composes the beauties of life, since art is as much a human need as eating and drinking.

If you appreciate demanding gastronomy, but at the same time want a light atmosphere, head to Vöröstó and the cult inn in the centre of the settlement, Szeszélyes Nyár Bisztró. The funny naming faithfully reflects the atmosphere of the place: on the stone walls framed poems and above the counter a scene from the eponymous film greets you, as the main inspiration was drawn from the characters of the Czechoslovak film director Jiří Menzel: lovely figures having philosophical discussions in front of the local spa and pub. The owner's vision of the bistro in Vöröstó is similar: a community place where you can come round even after a long bike ride or to watch a football match at the end of a busy day. Czechoslovak nostalgia also echoes in the food, Czech beers on tap, ham and cheese platters, savoury snacks, in high quality. Here you can also taste Hermelin, which is considered unique in the area, i.e. camembert matured in a spicy, oily juice in a buckled bottle, and you can also taste another Czech masterpiece, the utopenec specialty. The ingredients come from local producers, cheese from the neighbour, meat from the butcher in Nagyvázsony. Szeszélyes Nyár is planning to expand with a spa house in the future, so the former dairy of Vöröstó can become a fresh spot not only for the village, but also for the region.

Although Őriszentpéter cannot be classified as part of the Balaton region, the Michelin-awarded Pajta located here occupies an important place in the gastronomic landscape of our country. This fine dining restaurant is like a modern fairy tale, where traditional local flavours are presented in a new guise, and vegetables, plants and flowers grown in the garden give the best bits. What is not grown in the garden is procured locally: for example, the vegetables come from the close-by Ivánc, and the cheese is procured from a Belgian couple who live a completely self-sustaining life in Vendvidék.