Breakfast is served between 8:00 and
9:00, lunch from 1:00 to 2:00 and the
evening meal around 7:00 or 8:00.
"Power breakfasts" are not common.
Hotels, coffee houses and restaurants
are open to host business breakfasts,
lunches, reception dinners and formal
dinners in Budapest.
At the table, Hungarians wish everyone
"good appetite" (Jó étvágyat!) before the
meal begins.
9:00, lunch from 1:00 to 2:00 and the
evening meal around 7:00 or 8:00.
"Power breakfasts" are not common.
Hotels, coffee houses and restaurants
are open to host business breakfasts,
lunches, reception dinners and formal
dinners in Budapest.
At the table, Hungarians wish everyone
"good appetite" (Jó étvágyat!) before the
meal begins.
| Eating out in Budapest - Best Places to Go to >>> |
| Key words: etiquette, manners, protocol, table manners, table setting, business meals, business lunch, business etiquette, tipping in the restaurant, dining eitquette, etiquette, manners, protocol, table manners, table setting, business meals, business lunch, business etiquette, tipping in the restaurant, dining eitquette |
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| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HUNGARIAN BUSINESS CULTURE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
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Hungarian
Culture, Language & Relocation Resources
Culture, Language & Relocation Resources
Meals and Table Manners
A formal, restaurant Hungarian meal is sequentially organized. Appetizer - soup - main
course with a side salad - dessert or fruit or both - coffee.
Follow the pace and try to eat at least a little of everything. We eat side salads with the
meal, not separately. Coffee does not come with a meal but afterwards.
We cut our meat with the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right, and usually do not
switch the fork after dropping the knife. Hungarians tend to eat a little more comfortably at
home, and in a formal way in restaurants and formal meals. Hungarian table manners
are sometimes tough for Americans but don't worry too much about using utensil
"continental" style. Neatness and elegance are more important than which hand holds
the knife. Paper napkins are kept next to the plate, and fabric napkins are kept on the lap.
When dining, the man should pour the wine, as it is considered unfeminine for a woman
to pour wine. When toasting in Hungary, make eye contact, raise your glass up to eye
level, say "Egészségére!" (for your health), take a drink, make eye contact again, and then
place the glass back down on the table.
Signal that you are finished eating by placing your knife and fork side by side to one side
of your plate. To signal you are just pausing, place your knife and fork in a criss-cross
pattern on your plate. The waiter in the restaurant will see you are done and clear your
table.
Keep both of your hands on the table while you eat. Try to not place your elbows on the
table. Also, do not suck your nose or clean your throat loudly in the presence of others.
Using a toothpick is also frowned upon when you are with company. Asking for a doggy
bag at the end of the meal is appropriate after informal meals only.
At a business lunch or dinner in a restaurant, the person who "invites" the others, pays
the bill. It is polite to do this as discreetly as possible - you might excuse yourself for a
moment to slip your credit card to the waiter and sign the receipt so that nothing
suggesting payment is ever brought to the table.
If you are sharing an informal, social meal with friends, you can go "Dutch". Hungarians
generally divide the amount evenly by the number of diners - there is no need to work out
each person's share on a paper napkin or with a calculator on the table.
The service fee in Budapest hotels and restaurants is usually not included in the bill. The
expected and usual tip in a restaurant where the waiter serves you is 10 %.
course with a side salad - dessert or fruit or both - coffee.
Follow the pace and try to eat at least a little of everything. We eat side salads with the
meal, not separately. Coffee does not come with a meal but afterwards.
We cut our meat with the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right, and usually do not
switch the fork after dropping the knife. Hungarians tend to eat a little more comfortably at
home, and in a formal way in restaurants and formal meals. Hungarian table manners
are sometimes tough for Americans but don't worry too much about using utensil
"continental" style. Neatness and elegance are more important than which hand holds
the knife. Paper napkins are kept next to the plate, and fabric napkins are kept on the lap.
When dining, the man should pour the wine, as it is considered unfeminine for a woman
to pour wine. When toasting in Hungary, make eye contact, raise your glass up to eye
level, say "Egészségére!" (for your health), take a drink, make eye contact again, and then
place the glass back down on the table.
Signal that you are finished eating by placing your knife and fork side by side to one side
of your plate. To signal you are just pausing, place your knife and fork in a criss-cross
pattern on your plate. The waiter in the restaurant will see you are done and clear your
table.
Keep both of your hands on the table while you eat. Try to not place your elbows on the
table. Also, do not suck your nose or clean your throat loudly in the presence of others.
Using a toothpick is also frowned upon when you are with company. Asking for a doggy
bag at the end of the meal is appropriate after informal meals only.
At a business lunch or dinner in a restaurant, the person who "invites" the others, pays
the bill. It is polite to do this as discreetly as possible - you might excuse yourself for a
moment to slip your credit card to the waiter and sign the receipt so that nothing
suggesting payment is ever brought to the table.
If you are sharing an informal, social meal with friends, you can go "Dutch". Hungarians
generally divide the amount evenly by the number of diners - there is no need to work out
each person's share on a paper napkin or with a calculator on the table.
The service fee in Budapest hotels and restaurants is usually not included in the bill. The
expected and usual tip in a restaurant where the waiter serves you is 10 %.
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| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HUNGARIAN CULTURE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
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| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - FAMILY ACTIVITIES IN BUDAPEST - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
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| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - RELOCATION TO HUNGARY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |