Bistro Déryné (Madame Déry), named after the most famous Hungarian actress of the 19th century, has become a historic hangout with its 21st-century atmosphere and delightful bistro ambiance on the Buda side, just a few minutes from the Tunnel at the Chain Bridge.
The history of the bistro goes back to the early 1910s, when the Auguszt patissier dynasty opened a café. The Auguszt family had run the café on a very elegant, high-quality basis until 1951, when the communist state took through nationalization. The socialist era seemed to have been a lively period, and Déryné, with its bar, music and dance each evening, became a social meeting place for artists.
In 2007 Déryné underwent a complete renovation and redesign when the Kovács family took over. The facade and the wine cellar were preserved. Old photographs on the walls show what the rooms looked like back in the days of the Auguszt family. Thanks to the renovation, the interior is a mixture of a piano bar, a café, a bistro and a lounge bearing a timelessly sleek Art Deco design. The special lighting sets the mood for a cozy and warm ambience.
It’s not a strict or elegant bistro, rather a place that makes you feel like home. But the real charm of the place is that it creates the cultured atmosphere of a cosmopolitan restaurant without the stuffiness of a super-fashionable bar. The lounge area looks like an Abercrombie & Fitch store with its leather armchairs, dark wood and an open fireplace. There is live piano music every afternoon and jazz and swing in the evenings. On Friday and Saturday evenings the DJ is ready to impress the dining crowd by old school funky tunes.
Déryné welcomes its patrons both inside in the restaurant, and outside on the shaded terrace. You can visit the place almost any time of the day thanks to the long opening hours. The menu offers breakfast meals with super delicious coffee varieties, seasonal lunch specials and gourmet dinner selections of French classics with a few Hungarian dishes. It is only one page, but there’s always something to eat. Fresh bread and pastries are available for take-away at the in-house bakery.
In 2014, Déryné gained a “Bib Gourmand” qualification by Michelin Guide, thanks to Csaba Palotai and his team’s hard work. The “Bib Gourmand” designation denotes good cuisine at a reasonable price. This award is a nice contribution to the preservation of the centenarian reputation of the restaurant. Big respect and congratulations to the Bib Gourmand Star of the Walk of Fame in Michelin Guide!
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