In the middle of the Jewish Quarter, adjacent to the Kazinczy Synagogue built by the Löffler brothers in 1913, we find the Carmel Restaurant,
Kosher dining in Budapest
In the middle of the Jewish Quarter, adjacent to the Kazinczy Synagogue built by the Löffler brothers in 1913, we find the Carmel Restaurant, where the gourmand dishes of Hungarian gastronomy meet the wonders of the Glatt kosher world. To answer the question, is it more expensive than a similar, non-Kosher Hungarian restaurant, the answer is simple: No. To answer the question, how can a tourist from Jerusalem, Bnei Brak or the States keep the laws of the Torah and still go out to dine on Shabes, the answer is even simpler: they can pre-order their Friday night dinner online, at: www.carmel.hu. They even deliver pizzas.
And if we’re on the subject of the website, we have the opportunity to select from the entire selection of the conglomerate, as only a few feet from Carmel we can find the restaurant’s dairy-section, and both establishments have Kashrut granted by Rav Moshe T. Weiszberger, the Gaon of the Budapest Orthodox community. He and his group of observers make sure that all Jewish dining rules are kept. Right next to the dairy restaurant we find the Bakery, where not only you can pre-order your Chala for Shabes, but also bread and Hungarian confectionary specialties, dating back to the days of the Monarchy, in their former glory but naturally in a new, Kosher way. All suitable for Kiddush, Havdalah and various events, as both Parveh and dairy are available. The dairy restaurant is also wonderful for vegetarians.
This is also a great way for those traveling around the country to prepare for their journey by ordering Kosher take-away and lunch en route.
I had the chance to sit down with the owners and managers for a coffee and a slice of Kosher Schwarzwald, and they told me that they are the ones who, within a different branch of the business, also provide for the Jewish Hospital, two Jewish high-schools and a preschool and 750 catered meals to those in need. In addition, they also provide with Kosher outside-catering for airplanes departing from Hungary.
In addition, Israeli and American guests, rabbis and diplomats visiting the Republic of Hungary, also receive their service in all governmental events. The staff receives continuous training, both Hungarian and International trends are followed, with kosher laws kept as a prime directive at all times. Naturally, the atmosphere in all of their facilities is in line with what we come to expect at such a level of service.
Carmel Restaurant naturally has a Jewish Sommelier as well, thus ensuring that all stages of both food preparation and service are up to par with kosher directives.
The Carmel Restaurant has two separate dining halls as well, and in line with European Union standards handicapped facilities, air-conditioning and multi-lingual waiters and menus await the guests. A wide range of credit cards, just as Euros, USD and Israeli Shekels are all accepted.
When I enquired about their future plans, they said they just want to add to their thousands of satisfied guests.
Peter Breuer
