On the Buda bank of the Danube, close to the Castle Garden Bazaar, FELIX Kitchen & Bar occupies a remarkable 19th-century building designed by Hungarian architect Miklós Ybl. Originally constructed in 1875 to supply water to the Royal Palace, the former pumping station has been restored and transformed into a restaurant with an extensive Mediterranean menu, an ambitious wine programme and a connection to contemporary art.
We visited FELIX for dinner in December 2025. Its illuminated exterior was an impressive sight on arrival, although the richly decorated dining room was what made the strongest impression.
From Royal Waterworks to Restaurant
The building, known as the Várkert Kioszk, has an unusual history.
After serving as a waterworks for the Royal Palace, it was used for several purposes over the following decades, including a café, a music and dance venue, a rehearsal space and a casino.
A major restoration later established the Ybl Buda Creative House, with the aim of accommodating exhibitions and cultural events within the historic building.
FELIX Kitchen & Bar opened in April 2019, taking its name from Félix, the only son of architect Miklós Ybl.
Art remains an important part of the venue. The former boiler room now accommodates AQVA, a space for contemporary art exhibitions organised in collaboration with artists, galleries and collectors.
The Interiors
The dining room is magnificent.
High ceilings feature elaborate gilded detailing, while decorative columns, large arched windows and richly ornamented walls preserve the grandeur of the original architecture.
Contemporary circular chandeliers provide a striking contrast to the historic ceiling. Their clean, modern design works particularly well against the gold-toned decoration and mirrors that extend around the room.
The tables are dressed in white linen, with upholstered seating, glassware and FELIX-branded porcelain completing the setting.
I particularly liked the white plates with their fine blue borders and the restaurant's distinctive lettering. They brought a contemporary element to an otherwise elaborate interior.
There is plenty to admire throughout the building, but the dining room itself was the highlight for me. Its scale, architecture and decorative details make FELIX one of the most distinctive restaurant settings we experienced in Budapest.
The Kitchen and Menu
FELIX's kitchen is led by executive chef Dániel Katona, whose professional background includes training in France and several years working in Spain, including time alongside Michelin-starred chef Jordi Cruz.
The restaurant's cooking draws primarily on Mediterranean traditions, with a menu that includes Italian classics, seafood, premium beef and dishes prepared on the Josper grill.
The selection is extensive. Oysters and caviar feature alongside pasta, fish and meat dishes, while signature preparations include Cotoletta alla Milanese and Beef Wellington.
The wine programme is overseen by Tamás Czinki, Hungary's first Master Sommelier. FELIX has an extensive international selection, with particular attention to Champagne, French wines and established Hungarian wine regions.
Our Dinner at FELIX
We began dinner with pasta salad with avocado pesto and burrata, presented on the restaurant's distinctive white-and-blue porcelain.
The short pasta was coated in a green dressing and accompanied by burrata, chopped pistachios, fresh basil and small halved eggs. The presentation was particularly colourful, with the pale-green pasta contrasting against the white cheese and the darker pistachio pieces.
For our main courses, I chose the FELIX beef tenderloin piccata, served with mashed potatoes, while my girlfriend ordered the truffle pasta.
Both dishes reflect the restaurant's preference for familiar European preparations alongside its wider Mediterranean menu. We accompanied dinner with wine, enjoying the meal beneath the dining room's elaborate ceilings and contemporary chandeliers.
For dessert, we ordered basil crème brûlée, an interesting variation on the traditional French dessert.
The evening gave us an opportunity to experience FELIX as a restaurant as well as an architectural landmark. The formal table settings, richly decorated interiors and extensive menu are central to its identity.
Final Thoughts
FELIX Kitchen & Bar has a setting that distinguishes it from many of Budapest's contemporary restaurants.
Its historic architecture is impressive in its own right, and the restoration has preserved much of the building's original grandeur while allowing it to function as a modern restaurant.
I would happily return for another dinner, particularly to explore more of the current menu. The building remains my strongest memory of FELIX, and its combination of architecture, gastronomy and contemporary art makes it an address worth knowing in Budapest.
Address: Ybl Miklós tér 9, 1013 Budapest, Hungary
Website: felixbudapest.com
Visited December 2025.
