Budapest’s ARAZ Restaurant is dialing up Sundays with a build-your-own lunch that doesn’t skimp on treats. Guests choose a two- or three-course menu from a weekly lineup crafted by Chef de Cuisine Áron Barka and his team, then get an included drink, a glass of wine or beer, and a coffee on the house. It’s an easy way to turn a weekend midday into an event—without the decision fatigue of a full à la carte menu.
Serving in the heart of downtown at 42–44 Dohány Street (1074), ARAZ runs its Sunday lunch between 12:00 and 14:30. The menu changes weekly, with three soups, five mains, and three desserts to mix and match. It’s aimed at anyone craving a civilized pause—gastronomy lovers, locals trying to tame the weekday sprint, or travelers who want to taste Hungary with a modern spin.
This Sunday’s Menu: Classic Comfort, Cheffed Up
For Sunday, November 9, 2025, the soup trio sets the tone with a balance of heritage and silky comfort. There’s Jókai bean soup (Jókai bableves)—the hearty classic tied to 19th-century writer Mór Jókai—with a lactose-free option available. A chestnut–celery cream soup comes topped with honeyed Brie and is marked gluten-free. The third is a marjoram-infused potato cream soup with roasted sausage and crispy fried onions, also gluten-free. Cozy? Very. Boring? Not remotely.
Mains lean into Hungarian staples and clever riffs. Shredded, balsamic-laced poultry liver sits over creamy mashed potatoes with Lyonnaise onions—a lush, old-school plate with a bright kick. Pork paprikash arrives the home-style way, paired with Swabian potato pasta and pickles. Hortobágy-style crêpes (Hortobágyi palacsinta) mark their territory: crêpes stuffed with meat in paprika sauce, here zapped with pickled red onion for extra snap. There’s a vegetarian lane too—coconut-curry tofu with roasted broccoli, fragrant rice, and naan, clearly marked lactose-free. Finally, a Bakony-style pork chop lands with proper knedlíky and marinated cabbage. Nothing on this list feels like filler; everything screams “Sunday.”
Dessert keeps the traditions humming. Go classic with Sachertorte, reach for a coconut cube drenched in lavender chocolate sauce, or pick the curd–vanilla–sour cherry strudel with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Sweet endings, done three ways, none shy on nostalgia.
Pricing, Perks, and the Fine Print
The two-course menu is priced at 6,200 HUF, which converts to roughly 16.80 USD per person. The three-course option lands at 7,700 HUF, around 20.90 USD per person. Both deals include one mineral water or soft drink, a glass of wine or beer, and a cup of coffee. Expect a 12% service charge added to the final bill.
If you’re booking for more than 10 people, ARAZ asks that you reach out via email to coordinate. Driving in? Before you leave, show your bill at reception to validate your parking ticket. The restaurant reserves the right to adjust timing and program, so place a call if you need absolute certainty. Reservations are encouraged—Sunday slots don’t tend to loiter.
Dates You Can Lock In
The Sunday lunch series is slated weekly beyond the November 9 kickoff: November 16, 23, and 30; December 7, 14, 21, and 28; then rolling into the new year on January 4 and 11, 2026. Same window, same build-your-own format, new menus each week.
Where You’re Eating: ARAZ and Its World
ARAZ sits inside the Continental Hotel Budapest**** Superior, a four-star design property blending Art Nouveau touches with clean-lined contemporary interiors. The hotel offers 272 rooms, including 13 suites, and is set up for business and leisure alike with broadband internet and tailored services. Facilities tick the boxes: five well-equipped conference rooms, underground parking, a wellness and fitness area, massage, the ARAZ Restaurant itself, the Gallery Café & Corporate Lounge, inner courtyards, and a Panorama Roof Garden. Business travelers, city-breakers, and event crowds all share the space without stepping on each other’s toes.
The restaurant’s broader mission goes beyond lunch. ARAZ rotates seasonal specials, weekly menus, Sunday brunches, one-off wine dinners, and themed culinary events—playing at the intersection of traditional Hungarian flavors and modern kitchen tech. The pitch is simple: fuse the past into the present, then nudge it toward the future. It’s rooted in Budapest’s bohemian quarter, where a little experimentation is expected and nostalgia is part of the seasoning.
The hotel’s Gallery Café, restored in period style and easiest to reach from the main entrance, nods to the golden age of the Pest coffeehouse. The original Continental’s guests included artists and writers—you’ll hear names like Attila József—and the Hungária Café crowd was a regular presence at the historic Hungária Baths. If you like your espresso with a side of cultural lore, you’re in the right place.
How to Do It Right
– Pick two courses if you’re planning dessert elsewhere; go three if you want the full sweep of soup–main–sweets.
– Claim the included drink trio: water or soft drink, wine or beer, and a coffee. It’s built into the deal—use it.
– Vegetarian? The coconut-curry tofu is not an afterthought. Lactose-free and aromatic, with naan to make it feel complete.
– Driving? Keep your bill handy for parking validation at reception.
– Large group? Email before booking. And consider a post-lunch coffee at the Gallery Café to keep the old Budapest vibe going.
Sunday lunch at ARAZ is straightforward: familiar Hungarian comfort, polished with a chef’s hand, wrapped in a neat package that feels like a treat without breaking stride. Book a table, settle in, and build your own perfect Sunday.
