On August 20, 2025, Budapest (Budapest) lights up with its grandest celebration—Hungary’s (Magyarország) national holiday. What could make it more unforgettable than savoring a luxury dinner while watching the city’s legendary fireworks? This year, the Vogue Standing Restaurant Ship (Vogue Állóhajó), anchored on the Danube (Duna), invites you to an exclusive evening of gastronomy, live music, and panoramic views worth a thousand photos.
An Unmatched Night on the Water
The Vogue Ship isn’t drifting: you’ll enjoy all the splendor without losing sight of the riverbank or the dazzling spectacle in the sky. Step aboard from 6:30 pm and ease into the evening with a welcome drink—the festive sparkle of prosecco—before dinner kicks off at 7:00 pm. Live music by the VOGUE LIVE DUO sets the mood, while carefully curated food and drinks await your discovery.
Your ticket price ($135, with children under 4 free, and a reduced price of $108 for children aged 4-12) includes every aspect of the evening: the prosecco welcome, access to the buffet dinner, a generous three-hour unlimited drinks package, plus all taxes and service charges. Drinks outside the package are extra, but all the essentials are covered for a seamless experience. Reserve your table early—the best views go quickly, and final seating is determined by the order of booking. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable, so once you’re in, you’re set for the night.
Feast Above the Danube: The Buffet Menu
The Vogue Ship’s buffet is a celebration of bold flavors and fine Hungarian hospitality. Start with an appetizer selection: Tokaj aszú duck liver pâté with redcurrant and brioche, herb chicken galantine with fresh cream cheese, and an eggplant tartare tossed with arugula. From there, help yourself to chilled wild berry cream soup or a hearty, traditional goulash.
Main courses are designed to please both traditionalists and adventurers: sous vide duck breast with caramelized onion, lavender apple purée, and four-cheese mashed potatoes; beef tenderloin “Brassói” with colorful peppers; spiced pork ribs glazed in honey-dark beer sauce with rosemary confit potatoes; salmon and cream penne with broccoli and smoked cheese; and for vegetarians, grilled rainbow carrots with saffron cauliflower purée.
Salad lovers won’t be left behind: the green apple Waldorf and garden salad with seeds and sprouts provide fresh, crunchy counterpoints. Save room for dessert—a trio of marzipan Somló sponge cake, vegan raspberry cream with pistachio brittle, baked cheesecake with blueberry cream, plus a fresh fruit platter to round out the sweet offerings.
The Drinks: More Than Just a Toast
Between 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm, your ticket opens the bar for three hours of free-flowing drink options. Beer lovers can choose between Staropramen draught, Borsodi Mester, or alcohol-free Heineken. The wine selection is distinctly Hungarian: Paulus Sauvignon Blanc (white, from Mór), Sauska Rosé (Villány), and Szeleshát Merlot (red, Szekszárd). Non-alcoholic options include Coca-Cola and Schweppes sodas, as well as sparkling and still mineral water. For cocktails, enjoy a gin and tonic or Aperol Spritz—two per person, included in your package.
Where to Stay: Hotels for Every Traveler
If the fireworks aren’t enough to tempt you to stay the night, Budapest’s central hotels make it easy. The Adina Apartment Hotel sits just steps from business, shopping, and dining districts. Bell Hostel offers five private rooms for small groups. City Hotel Ring, located just 820 feet from Western Railway Station (Nyugati pályaudvar) and close to Parliament (Országház)—half a mile away—or the nightlife and green spaces of Margaret Island (Margitsziget, 930 yards), makes getting around Budapest a breeze.
For picturesque river and city views, try the 254-room hotel on the Pest Danube bank, offering rooms with balconies overlooking the river, Margaret Island (Margitsziget), or the Buda hills (Budai-hegység). Though quieter, the Fortuna Hotel and Restaurant Ship (Fortuna Szálloda- és Étteremhajó) is also moored on the river opposite Margaret Island, perfect for peace without missing city action.
Hotel Góliát (Hotel Góliát), near Heroes’ Square (Hősök tere) and City Park (Városliget), is ideal for both sightseeing and families, with 45 four-bed rooms and expanded capacity for students and backpackers during the summer.
For further variety, there are hotels designed by architect Miklós Ybl, perfect for guests seeking classic tranquility just beyond the city bustle; workers’ hostels for longer stays; and family-run, renovated hotels adjacent to WestEnd City Center, welcoming both business and leisure travelers.
Vogue Restaurant Ship: 20 Years of Riverfront Elegance
For two decades, the Vogue Ship has been a floating gastronomic paradise in the heart of Budapest, known for blending Hungarian classics with Mediterranean and South Slavic flavors, with menus in English, Hungarian, German, and Russian. Its commitment to quality ingredients ensures every visit is exceptional, whether for a wedding, corporate event, conference, or a more personal occasion.
One Night, A Thousand Memories
This August 20, step aboard the Vogue Restaurant Ship and blend the joy of Hungarian holiday traditions with culinary excellence and the best fireworks view in town. One night only—don’t let it sail away.
Event details, menu changes, and timing are subject to last-minute adjustments, so flexibility is key. Book now, and don’t just watch the festivities—be at their very heart, right on the Danube (Duna).
