Taverns of Balaton

Taste of Tradition: Lake Balaton's Charming Csárdas

When seeking authentic Hungarian flavors, Lake Balaton's rustic csárdas serve up the nation's most iconic dishes: paprika-laden goulash soup, smoky sausages, slow-simmered pörkölts, ruby-red fisherman's soup, and crackling roasted pork knuckles.

North shore treasures include vineyard-nestled Baricska Csárda in Balatonfüred with its perfect beef stew, while nearby Kiskuti Csárda tempts with bone marrow toast. In Rezi, Gyöngyösi Betyár Csárda preserves outlaw legends alongside venison in redcurrant sauce. For breathtaking panoramas, visit thatched-roof Laci Pince between Balatonudvari and Vászoly. Among the many excellent csárdas dotting the southern shore are Zamárdi's Paprika Csárda with its romantic wine cellar, and Balatonföldvár's beloved Kukorica Csárda, where sword-skewered grilled meats are served amid wagon-wheel decor and gypsy music.