Budai Italy on Bartók Boulevard

“So Judit, how does a yoga studio turn into an Italian restaurant?”
“Well,” she smiles, “life threw a curveball – and I just worked with what came.”

Arriving from the Gellért side, I step onto the Allegro Ristorante terrace. Bianka, the restaurant manager, welcomes me, phone in hand: “Judit’s just a little delayed – but on her way.” Bianka knows exactly how to handle it: an espresso, a conspiratorial smile, and a calm breath. A very Italian rhythm – no rush, no fuss.

Judit soon arrives, her steps brisk, her apology genuine. She invites me to the little “VIP” table by the bar, fixes herself a fibre drink, and instantly fills the space with presence.

“Before Covid, this was a yoga studio,” she says. “Then came the lockdown – and a whole new situation. There wasn’t a big plan. Just a response to what life handed us.”

She laughs. “It was never going to be a Japanese restaurant. I’m not nearly knowledgeable enough for that – and I have too much respect.” Japanese culture and Buddhism have been part of her life for years; she’s travelled to Japan, and deepened her ties to a Buddhist school while living in Washington, D.C.

Still, it was Italy that stole her heart. “Everything Italian – the food, the culture, the fashion, the music, the people-first attitude – it’s just my language.”

“The menu? That’s a team effort,” Judit says, just as Bianka hands over the menu with a smile.

“And our current pizzaiolo is straight from Bari,” Judit grins. “He brought that easygoing southern vibe with him – which is good, because sometimes we tend to take things a little too seriously.”

The Neapolitan pizzas are simple, yet full of hidden depth. “Sometimes the simplest things are the most profound,” Judit says. Tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil – and somehow, you taste the sea, the sun, the soul of the South.

The porchetta, with its crackling skin and juicy meat, earns a simple verdict from Judit: “damn good.” And honestly, what more needs to be said?

The pistachio pesto gnocchi is the menu’s green heart – light, fresh, and silky. It feels like both home and holiday in one bite.

And speaking of pistachios: their pistachio tiramisu is less a dessert, more a love letter. Judit explains how the classic tiramisu was born in Italian kitchens from leftovers – a bit of magic made from what was simply at hand.

At Allegro Ristorante, everything is fresh and carefully chosen – but the spirit stays true: good food doesn’t have to be complicated. It just needs to be smart, honest, and full of life.

Even the wine list is a group effort. “Sometimes we argue about it,” Bianka calls out, laughing as she crosses the room, “but in the end, we always land on something exciting. Like at a big family dinner.”

Most regulars are Hungarian, but more and more foreigners are discovering the charm of Bartók Béla Boulevard – a street quietly blooming with cafés, galleries, and little city treasures.

“And where to next?” I ask. “Maybe somewhere even more relaxed,” Judit says with a spark. “A place where you can drop in for a drink, grab a bite, or settle in for a long, easy dinner – whatever life calls for that day. A place where you can slow down – and actually live. Just like down south.”

Allegro Ristorante & Bar
23 Bartók Béla Boulevard, Budapest