This combination of late breakfast and early lunch arrived from
the United States of America to Western Europe first, and soon
conquered Hungary, as well. However, we must note that it has changed
a bit on the way.
Brunches are mainly offered on Sundays. In its original home,
the United States of America, this meal can start at around 10-11am,
and live jazz is played throughout the meal. A brunch is not only
about eating; the idea is to be in a relaxing atmosphere, with
music playing in the background, and it can last until early afternoon.
Traditions in Hungary are somewhat different. Hungarians find a
late breakfast or an early lunch rather strange; here most restaurants
and their guests treat it more like a lunch. So most hotels in
Budapest start offering brunch from 12 noon, but in spite of the
late start they have a breakfast buffet table next to the hot dishes
on offer for lunch.
In Hungary, brunch started becoming popular at the end of the 1980s,
and beginning of the 1990s. Two members of the Danubius chain,
the Hilton on in the Buda Castle Hill and the Radisson Sas Béke,
were the first to offer brunches in Hungary. In the latter, brunches
were on offer from as early as 1989 and they proved very popular.
The Hilton launched brunch buffets in the early 90s and ever since
they can be enjoyed every Sunday from 12 noon to 3pm. There, jazz
is played in the Dominican Restaurant, and champagne, orange juice
and coffee are free. As soon as the guest finishes her/his drink,
a waiter refills the glass without asking.
The Sunday brunch in the Danubius Grand Hotel Margitsziget is offered
in an amazing setting. From May to September, brunch is served
on the terrace facing the large park in front of the restaurant,
and from autumn to spring it is served in the hotel's restaurant,
also between 12 noon and 3pm. The locals have grown to like what
was once an unusual meal and around half of the average 150 guests
were Hungarians last summer. The rest were foreign business guests
or foreigners living in Budapest.
An excellent selection of brunch dishes provides satisfies the
taste and the eye in the Danubius Thermal&Conference Hotel
Hélia and the Danubius Hotel Gellért, as well.
