Best Downtown Wine Tasting
You don’t need the seasoned taste buds or experience of a connoisseur, you can simply enjoy Hungary’s famous wines. Budapest is packed with dedicated wine shops, wine restaurants and bars, and even cellars where you can sample rare vintages and historic wines.
If you are looking for the ultimate wine sampling session, you have come to the right place. On this page, I will walk you through the wine tasting activities that continuously sell out and guide you through some of the country’s most highly desired wines.
Budapest vs Suburban vs Regional Wine Tasting
Before heading into the main wine sampling programmes in Budapest, I have to make a quick distinction. Generally, there are three categories for wine tasting from Budapest:
- Budapest (Wine cellars and bars in the city)
- Suburban (Etyek, Paty, Monor, etc)
- Regional (Eger, Tokaj, Balaton towns, etc)
In Budapest, the experiences can range as some feature the best known wines from the whole country, others may follow a curated flight highlighting specific areas or vintages. A suburban wine tour, like those in Etyek, feature local wines from cellars in that region, and there may be samples from newer or lesser-known wine makers. Then, the regional wine tours, like in Tokaj, Eger or around Balaton, are where some of Hungary’s best known wines are made, and these make for a good day-trip.
Comparing Wine Tastings
| Tasting | Provider | Price | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hungarian Wine Tasting with 8 Wines and Tapas | Wine the Gap | €79 for 2+ | Wine the Gap Wine Bar (9th District) | 8 wines, book in groups of 2+ |
| Wine, Cheese and Charcuterie | Taste Hungary | €45 for 2+ | Tasting Table Cellar (8th District) | 5 wines, book in groups of 2+ |
| Essentials of Hungarian Wine Tasting Class | Taste Hungary | €58 | Tasting Table Cellar (8th District) | 8 wines |
| 8-Tier Hungarian Wine Tasting | BORTODOOR | €50 | BORTODOOR Wine Bar (6th District) | 8 wines |
| Tokaji Wine Tasting with Parliament Panorama | Smúz Cafe & Bar | €39 | Smúz Café & Bar (5th District) | 3 wines, self-paced |
Always check the opening times and price yourself, as these are subject to change. Especially during high season or for weekday/weekend passes
#1. Hungarian Wine Tasting with 8 Wines and Tapas (Wine the Gap)
A wine tasting with tapas in an artisanal boutique winery, the presentation is stylish and the wine selection explores the most prominent Hungarian wine regions. This is an excellent sampling for beginners and experts alike.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Wine samples: 8
- Start: 15:00, 17:00, 19:00, 21:00
- Price: €79 for 2+, depends on day
- Provider: Wine The Gap
- Location: Wine the Gap Borbár
- Address: 1094, Budapest, Tompa u. 26, Wine the Gap Wine Bar
The sampling has a narrative that takes you around the country, and includes a few lesser known producers as well, for good measure. The extended 8-sample itinerary is complemented with tapas, the highlight of which is the locally sourced sausages, ham and cheese. Just take note that this activity is only available for groups of 2+, you can’t go solo. Prices can vary depending on the group size and also by day.
#2. Wine Cheese and Charcuterie (Taste Hungary)
A wine tasting in a historic neighbourhood, this sampling pairs five famous wines with authentic Hungarian charcuterie. It is just across the street from the Tasting Table wine shop, where you can buy any wines that make an impression.
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Wine samples: 5
- Start: 15:00
- Price: €45 for 2+
- Provider: Taste Hungary
- Location: The Tasting Table Cellar
- Address: 1088, Budapest, Bródy Sándor utca 9
Taste Hungary’s wine sampling experience takes place in a cosy cellar for small groups. The charcuterie features Hungarian classics such as Mangalica pork sausages, grey beef sausages, local cheeses and water buffalo salami. And next to it, you sample 2 red wines, 2 white wines, and 1 Tokaj dessert wine. You can only book in groups of minimum 2 people, and you can also buy wines from the cellar or from Taste Hungary’s shop on the opposite side of the street.
#3. Essentials of Hungarian Wine Tasting Class (Taste Hungary)
This is the extended 8-tier version of the Wine, Cheese and Charcuterie sampling provided by Taste Hungary. You get the same deep dive into Hungarian history, but the menu is extended with an aperitif and more classic Hungarian reds and whites.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Wine samples: 8
- Start: 18:00
- Price: €58
- Provider: Taste Hungary
- Location: The Tasting Table Cellar
- Address: 1088, Budapest, Bródy Sándor utca 9
Taste Hungary has fun with this sampling session, instead of sticking to one formula they tend to change their menu to keep things fresh. But you can expect an aperitif to start, classic reds and whites, and finish with a Tokaj dessert wine. The sommeliers also tend to highlight niche local wines, so you aren’t just getting a 101 history lesson in Hungarian wines, but a taster for the lesser-known wines that are gaining attention today.
#4. 8-Tier Hungarian Wine Tasting (BORTODOOR)
An 8-course wine and charcuterie sampling, you get a broad range of wines in the chic, downtown BORTODOOR Wine Bar.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Wine samples: 8
- Start: 17:30
- Price: €50
- Provider: BORTODOOR
- Location: Bortodoor Wine Bar
- Address: 1066, Budapest, Zichy Jenő u. 32
The menu incldues a sparkling wine, 3 whites, 1 light red and 3 red wines, and it is led by a sommelier who fills you in on the history behind the wines. The itinerary is a little tight, after all you are squeezing 8 wine samples into just 2 hours, but you have nibbles to bite on throughout. The location is easy to reach, and you can easily stay on in the wine bar to buy more bottles or buy some to take home with you. What is also noteworthy is that a lot of solo travellers pick this wine sampling, and you don’t need to be an expert in wine (or even have any prior knowledge of Hungarian wines).
#5. Tokaji Wine Tasting with Parliament Panorama (Smúz Café & Bar)
A premium experience, this wine tasting creates the most luxurious of scenarios. You sample historic Tokaji wines in full view of the Parliament, with beautifully curated gourmet snacks on the side.
- Duration: 1 hours
- Wine samples: 3
- Start: 14:00, 20:00 (Weekdays only)
- Price: €39
- Provider: Smúz Café & Bar
- Location: Smúz Café & Bar
- Address: 1055, Budapest, Kossuth Lajos tér 18
The wine sampling may only feature 3 wines and the meal pairings are not traditionally Hungarian, but you are paying for quality and luxury. This is not an open group or public tour, you get a private table and it is self-paced, though there is a host on call if you have any questions. You do get an introduction to the wines from the host and there is a brochure with facts about each sample. You can do this sampling solo or in groups, in the afternoon or evening. Just take note that this event is only available on weekdays.