Wine, coffee, picnics: our favourite spring gastromonic programmes

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Szabó Sára

Black Sheep Kávézó & Konyha Rosinante Fogadó Prónay-kastély

Spring has finally arrived, and the awakening of nature and sunshine are luring not only bears but also us out of our “caves”" What better way to celebrate March than with a colourful, fragrant, vibrant list of great events across the country? Barbecues, wines, grills, open cellars, and picnics take center stage!

Tastings and encounters in the Rosinante garden: Mini SVÉT

When? 11 April, 2026

Where? Rosinante Inn, Szigetmonostor

This April, the Rosinante garden will once again host Mini SVÉT, the spring event of the Association of the Finest Hungarian Countryside Restaurants! More than a dozen of outstanding Hungarian restaurants will be represented at this special, flavourful and colourful gastronomic event. The restaurants will be preparing tasting portions for the event on the 11th of April, so we will have the opportunity to sample as many dishes as possible in this gastronomic extravaganza.

“The magic of Mini SVÉT lies in the fact that there are no distances: the chefs are within arm’s reach of the tasters, serving their dishes themselves and talking about the ingredients and their inspiration. A smile, a question, a glass of wine – and you can strike up a conversation with the head chef of your favourite restaurant.”

Barbecue and fiery snacks at Gasztrohegy (Gastro Hill) in April

When? 11-12 April, 2026.

Where? Badacsony

We cannot emphasize enough that Lake Balaton is a wonderful year-round destination, and it is also beautiful in spring! As part of the Gasztrohegy series, Badacsony comes alive with exciting themes – in April, for example, everything will be about smoke and fire. During the weekend in April, you can sample exciting barbecue-themed dishes at 12 locations: lava stone-baked snacks, delicacies cooked over embers, crispy grilled specialties, and smoked meats will take center stage. Your throat won’t go dry either: elegant drinks accompany the fiery bites. This year, you can also win valuable Badacsony gifts if you visit as many locations as possible and collect the stamps available there.

The most beloved gastronomic event in the Etyek-Buda wine region: Etyek Picnic

When? 18-19 April, 2026

Where? Etyek

Vineyards, snacks, culture, sips, sunshine, cellars, producers, music, Etyek and Picnic – this is how we would summarize one of the country’s most beloved cultural gastronomic events in a few words. The Etyek Picnic, which still does not refer to itself as a festival, is more of a wine region experience, where musical programs set the mood. The center of the event is the Gastro Promenade, where wineries and restaurateurs offer wine tastings, local cheese and ham specialties, and popular, family-friendly programs. As every year, the tastings at this year’s Etyek Picnic will take place at the well-known street venues, so that visitors can leisurely moving from terrace to terrace, cellar to cellar, with a glass of fine wine in hand, in the sunset, surrounded by vineyards, finding the perfect spot for long conversations.

A chic breakfast with a picnic atmosphere: Stylish Brunch Festival

When? 26 April, 2026

Where? Prónay Castle, Alsópetény

This year, hosts from Őrség to Borsod, from Lake Balaton to the Danube, from Tokaj to Badacsony will gather in the park of Prónay Castle to show what breakfast means to them. Sixteen representatives of stylish rural accommodations will be present, offering a taste of their breakfast offerings based on their personal stories between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The exact menu is, of course, a surprise, but the character of each region will be reflected in every bite. In addition to the tasting portions, there will be refreshing drinks, a sparkling wine and spritzer bar, picnic blankets, and specialty coffee on this Sunday in April, as well as children's programs and music to add colour to the event. Guided walks will depart every hour from the castle park, introducing the history of the site. Admission is free, but registration is required to participate.

Spring themed weekends and exciting gastronomic events at Black Sheep coffee houses

When? All year round

Where? Black Sheep coffee houses

If you can’t imagine your morning without an excellent coffee and you are open to new experiences, check out the themed weekends and monthly gastronomic evenings at Black Sheep in Debrecen. On the first or second Wednesday of every month, Gábor Tóth and his team prepare special culinary evenings. The programs usually fill up quickly, so it is recommended to subscribe to the newsletter and secure your place in time. In addition to the classic coffee shop, it is also worth visiting on weekends – not only in Debrecen, but also in Gyula and Szeged – where you can find new items on the counter based on a pre-announced theme. On weekends in March, panna cotta and then curd cheese dumplings will be the stars, while in April, Easter dishes, tiramisu, and Smash Burgers will be the focus. In May, there will be a special offer for Mother's Day, and at Pentecost, an Italian-themed weekend will complete the program.

Plus an extra: MBH Bank Gourmet Festival

When? 4-7 June, 2026.

Where? Budapest, Millenáris Park

The MBH Bank Gourmet Festival is undoubtedly one of the most prominent culinary events on the Hungarian gastronomic scene, where, without exaggeration, you can taste the offerings of the country’s finest chefs and restaurants. At this year’s festival, held from 4 to 7 June, teams from renowned restaurants in Budapest and the countryside will be presenting their creations, as they do every year. Each year, the event is based on a chosen theme, to which the participating restaurateurs contribute dishes specially composed for the occasion. In addition to the big names, young talents and up-and-coming workshops also take part in the event, giving us a comprehensive picture of the current trends in Hungarian gastronomy. The program also includes interactive programs, show cooking, professional lectures, and workshops. At the end of a day of sampling, it is worth taking a break and participating in the evening concerts and musical events.

At the Gourmet Festival, you can pay without cash using a wristband, contactless card, or phone, even with a SZÉP card. ”Digital payments are becoming increasingly popular in Hungary, and customer demand for card digitization has also emerged in the case of SZÉP Cards. The solution developed jointly by MBH Bank and Visa is unique among banks issuing SZÉP Cards, as there is no need to apply for a new virtual card: customers can add their existing SZÉP Cards and companion cards to their mobile wallet in a few simple steps and securely enjoy the benefits of modern payment solutions,” says Csaba Soós, Executive Director of Retail Business Development at MBH Bank.

Setting up the digital card is quick and easy: after opening Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, you can enter your MBH SZÉP Card details and then identify yourself with a one-time password, after which the card can be used immediately. The digital MBH SZÉP Card can only be used to pay at electronic POS terminals located at service providers that accept the MBH SZÉP Card. POS terminals will not be able to accept the digital MBH SZÉP Card automatically or immediately. Therefore, it is advisable for SZÉP Card holders to clarify before making a purchase whether it is possible to pay with a digital MBH SZÉP Card at the given location, and to carry their physical SZÉP Card with them for a while.

Information about digitization is available to customers on the mbhszepkartya.hu website.

MBH Bank's bank accounts and deposits are insured by the National Deposit Insurance Fund (OBA). Further details and conditions can be found at oba.hu.