The City Park has always played a major role in the lives of dog owners. During the 20th century, the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden paid close attention to Hungarian dog breeds, but the area remains popular amongst dog owners and their pets to this day. And from now on, one of Budapest’s most iconic restaurants, Gundel, is also giving special attention to our four-legged friends.

Budapest’s City Park is indeed a popular meeting place for dog owners. Already in the 1800s Many people used to bring their pets here, but even today loads of people come here with their dogs to admire the lake’s wildlife, wander around a huge green space amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, and enjoy the dog-friendly adventure park also known as the dog park. Here, dogs can run about over an area of more than 5,000 square metres. Whilst walking in the City Park, dog owners come across an interesting with a statue of a dog may also meet.

Dogs can enjoy the Gundel experience too

The first restaurant in Városliget opened its doors at the end of the 18th century. Today, Gundel – built in 1894 – is undoubtedly one of the most popular restaurants in the area. What used to be a restaurant catering mainly to the elite is now also an ideal spot for families with children and dog owners to relax.

Csaba Szabó, restaurant manager (Eventrend Group), put it this way: Gundel is a restaurant that everyone has heard of, but only a few have actually been there. They’re keen to change that now that Gundel Kert has opened, where everyone is made to feel welcome, whether they’re two-legged or four-legged, big or small. They want to return to their roots and have created a relaxed, friendly, family-, child- and dog-friendly garden for their guests.

What exactly makes it dog-friendly?

There is a separate playground for younger children, featuring toys that evoke memories of the past, whilst the garden also features a number of sculptures depicting animals. For the very youngest visitors, a colouring book is available by scanning a QR code, and they can read or listen to one of Uncle Gundel’s stories.

There’s a special menu not just for children, but also for visiting dogs, so they too can sample the wonderful flavours. So you won’t have to worry if your dog looks at you imploringly whilst you’re eating, as you can treat them to a little something special too.

The menu offers a choice of three different dishes for owners to choose from for their pets: salt-free boiled chicken breast with rice; steamed veal with pasta cooked in the same pot; and gourmet dry food treats are also available for them. In addition, fresh water is, of course, provided for our four-legged guests. The dogs’ meals are, of course, prepared separately from those for humans, by a dedicated chef, and the bowls are, of course, washed separately.