On the quieter, historic side of Budapest, the Óbuda Synagogue keeps lighting up Friday nights and Saturday mornings with something more than candles. Rabbi Slomó Köves is back at the bimah with a rolling series of talks titled The Weekly Portion Through the Lens of Jewish Philosophy, held every Friday evening and late Saturday morning. It’s an open door to text, questions, and the kind of reflections that stretch from the Torah into everyday life.
The venue is the Óbuda Synagogue, at 1036 Budapest, Lajos utca 163. The next dates are set for 2025.11.28 and 2025.11.29 in Budapest, then 2025.12.05 and 2025.12.06, with more to come. Organizers reserve the right to change times or program, so checking in ahead never hurts. But the rhythm is clear: week after week, the weekly parsha becomes a live conversation on ethics, meaning, and modern dilemmas.
When and where
– Friday evenings and late Saturday mornings, recurring weekly
– Óbudai Zsinagóga (Óbuda Synagogue), 1036 Budapest, Lajos utca 163
– Upcoming dates: Nov 28–29 and Dec 5–6, 2025, with further dates to come
The format is simple: show up, sit down, think deeply. Köves, a prominent rabbi with a knack for plain-spoken clarity, draws out the weekly Torah portion and teases apart its philosophical threads—duty and free will, justice and mercy, identity and community—shaping them into something you can carry home, mull over, and maybe even act on.
Make a weekend of it
If you’re traveling in or lingering in Óbuda/Római-part, the neighborhood offers a mellow riverside pace with lots of places to stay. Think leafy streets, the Danube within easy reach, and that classic northern Buda calm.
Family-run guesthouses cluster near two of Budapest’s most beloved aquatic escapes: Csillaghegy Thermal Bath and Swimming Pool (Csillaghegyi Strandfürdő) and Római Thermal Bath and Aquapark (Római Élményfürdő). Expect a friendly, small-scale vibe—about 20 rooms—just north of the city center, with a garden-district feel. Rooms tend to come with private bathrooms (shower or tub), satellite TV, and mini-fridges, designed for simple comfort rather than frills.
Several pensions on the Római-part promise peace and quiet in a holiday zone 5 km from Flórián tér and 8 km from downtown. Double rooms with showers, sinks, private toilets, and air conditioning are standard; add internet access, house-level phone lines, cable TV, and drink bars. Outdoorsy? You get garden access, nearby tennis, beaches, shopping centers, and the whole Római-part scene for strolls and long chats by the water.
Hungary’s only boat-shaped hotel sits right on the Danube: Holiday Beach Budapest Wellness Hotel with Sauna Park. It offers pools, a green setting, and free Wi‑Fi, with the city center reachable by public transport. The nearest bus stop is a 3‑minute walk away. If you like your lodging with a quirk and a river breeze, it’s a no-brainer.
For a Scandinavian-leaning, family-style pension, there’s a spot 20 minutes from central Budapest and 10 minutes from Szentendre, the art-town jewel on the Danube. Expect bathrooms, phones, color TVs, a drink bar, secure parking, and a private garden. Easy access by car, bus, or HÉV suburban rail means stress-free logistics.
On a budget or staying longer? Külker Hostel in Buda’s green belt has 26 rooms over two floors and free parking out front—ideal for solo workers and couples. The Márton Áron Student Hostel opens for summer stays (July 15–Aug 25) with two- and three-bed rooms, internet, sports options, and a fire pit. Discounts apply for Hungarians from beyond the border, groups, and stays over 14 days. And if you’re hiking the National Blue Trail (Országos Kéktúra), there’s a 50-bed hikers’ lodge along the route, with 14 rooms ranging from doubles to 6- and 8-bed setups, plus a big communal space and a proper kitchen.
Eat like you mean it
You won’t starve in Óbuda. Start local with a casual self-service fix at 39-esek Étterme in Flórián Udvar. If you want riverside glamour, Hely Étterem on the Római-part delivers fresh kitchen work, modern techniques, and a view that will slow you down—international plates with Hungarian soul, plenty of fine ingredients, and cocktails with a point of view.
Tucked into a quiet street near the Római-part, there’s a cozy spot seating 56 indoors, expanding with a 30-seat terrace in summer. Bright interiors, easygoing vibes—bring the family, or slip in alone for something comforting without ceremony. If you’re craving tradition, drop into the Aquincum Hotel Budapest’s Apicius Restaurant for reimagined Hungarian classics paired with standout wines from emblematic regions.
If you measure your dinner by surface area, the Bécsiszelet Étterem outpost on Dereglye utca serves a giant Viennese cutlet that actually spills over the plate—and yes, it’s veal. Mediterranean-leaning kitchens in the area churn out fresh pasta, broad grill choices, and handmade pizza, while house desserts stick to original Italian ingredients and recipes. For no-fuss abundance, there are buffets doing lunch and dinner, plus à la carte options for family and corporate gatherings. Think starters, soups, mains, and unskippable desserts—the full arc, without you lifting a pan on a weekday evening.
And then there’s the newcomer in Óbuda’s old Goldberger textile factory: Cut & Barrel Bisztro. Buda’s latest bistro blends Basque and Latin American cues into contact-cuisine plates, using seasonal ingredients and serious kitchen tech. The industrial grandeur of the building meets a menu that sees meals as community-building—food made to be shared and talked about.
Why it’s worth showing up
The lectures are steady, the setting is welcoming, and the premise is appealingly simple: take the weekly portion, hold it up to the light of Jewish philosophy, and ask what it means right now. If you’ve been looking for a way to reconnect with text, tradition, or just a smarter Friday night, Óbuda’s got a seat for you. Organizers reserve the right to tweak times and programs—but the door? That stays open.
