Gastro-overview in Tata; from hamburgers to fine dining

Maybe it’s due to the spirit of the place that in Tata there are many more catering establishments that are definitely worth to visit. Enjoying delicious food and the ceremony of meals was important even for the former landlords of the area: the Esterházy family. In Herend, dinnerware for the different branches of the family were made one after another, while in the castles the best chefs were hired, whose tasks often included coming up with innovations: this is how Esterházy Steak and Esterházy torte (cake) was born. It looks like their legacy left its mark in Tata: the selection is lavish and it’s quite hard to decide which place to choose for enjoying a meal.

Those who arrive inside the walls of the castle walking over the moat will get hungry even if they have just eaten. A few steps away from the entrance of the castle there is a small kiosk with a delicious aroma. In ‘Bástya halsütő’ (Bastion Fish Shop) besides the usual fried fish (actually, even better than the usual, also in a gluten-free version) like trout, hekk, zander it’s possible to order salmon tartare, fish greaves or fish paste with various side dishes, sauces and delicious pickles. After having eaten the paper-box takeaway food we will have enough ammunition to conquer the castle! Our next stop might be one of the most picturesque points of Tata: ‘Zsigmond pince és terasz’ (Zsigmond Terrace & Cellar) awaits guests on the lakeside part of the castle, on a platform almost protruding over the water. In addition, not only the view but also food and drink offered are gorgeous. In the inner spaces of Zsigmond cellar crispy, real Neapolitan pizzas are made – according to the place’s motto ‘in Tata style’. Slow fermentation, quality ingredients and lightness – that’s the secret. If that's not enough, the cocktails also worth a try, and many of the region’s micro wineries’ wines are included in the list of beverages.

We don’t need to go far to have a meal in another special place: ‘Platán Udvarház’ (Platán Manor) offers several unforgettable experiences for gourmets. The place, which has been on various top lists for several years was recently renovated, is now a more casual Bistro and a fine dining restaurant called Platán Gourmet works here at the same time. Whichever we choose out of the course menus, we won’t be disappointed, just like in the Bistro. Besides tripe and pigeon we might order real Tafelspitz, and we can imagine ourselves in the Hungarian film Szindbád with marrow toast and steaming broth. Platán – which is otherwise one of the coolest accommodations in Hungary – has even an own pastry shop, so it’s worth preparing in advance, and leaving room in our stomachs for the French delicacies!

Following the restoration of two old mill houses, the ‘Malom és kacsa’ (Mill and Duck) bistro and event space was opened in the summer of 2021. Here we recommend the duck dishes: we may choose duck stew (on the analogy of lung stew), but the starter called ‘Ízelítő a spájzból’ (Tastes from the pantry) also includes delicacies made of duck. On starry summer evenings we can have dinner while listening to the pleasant acoustic concert... We could finish this article here, as we have offered so many taste experiences so far, but we can’t just miss in the Tata gastro-overview the culinary offerings of Builders’ Park and its surroundings, and naturally the location itself. This is the Old Lake’s basis close to the water where we can walk around barefoot in the summer, and after the opening of the free beach we can even wade into the water up to our neck. Children can play on the playground, the dogs can run around, and we can even rent a canoa or a pedalboat. And, of course, we can eat well! There are plenty of choices: there is a classic buffet selling hot dog and pancakes, a small sit-in place offering goulash soup, an ice cream parlour, and even a great gastro centre as well. However, our favourite is ‘Spájz’ (Pantry), which is a bit further from the lakeside. In the retro garden, a disassembled yellow-painted Trabant lives its new life as a flower bed, reminding us of old times, just like the buffet: a whole series of burgers, waffles, and even corn on the cob is available from spring to autumn.