Our History

The Kéhli Restaurant in Óbuda has been welcoming guests for nearly 140 years, preserving the atmosphere and traditions of times gone by. The restaurant has long been a favorite meeting place not only for locals but also for many well-known personalities, including the renowned writer Gyula Krúdy, who was a regular at Kéhli during the last years of his life. The restaurant has a unique way of keeping the historical spirit of Óbuda alive, which can still be felt today.

The history of the Kéhli family goes back to the 1700s, when German settlers arrived in Óbuda after the expulsion of the Turks and began cultivating vineyards and growing wine grapes. They brought the family name from Kehl, Germany. In the late 1800s, Károly Kéhli opened a wine cellar on Kiskorona Street, offering his guests excellent wines, particularly Grünszilváni. Over time, the wine cellar evolved into a full restaurant, offering not only wines but also homemade cold cuts and meals.

The restaurant’s history is full of interesting stories. One of the most famous is the tale of the 'schnapps soup,' which was created after a night of revelry. The winner of a card game ordered schnapps for all the guests, and thanks to Mama Kéhli's ingenuity, a soup made of sauerkraut and smoked meat was served instead. This dish remains one of the restaurant's iconic offerings to this day.

Gyula Krúdy, the famous writer, was one of Kéhli Restaurant's best-known patrons. He spent his final years living on nearby Templom Street and visited the restaurant almost daily, enjoying his favorite plum wine and sharing conversations with fellow writers and artists. His presence, along with the stories about him, added to the restaurant’s legendary reputation.

The restaurant maintained its popularity after World War II but faced challenges during the communist era. In the 1980s, Tibor Cecei Horváth revived the restaurant, restoring it to its former glory by expanding the building and preserving its traditions, thus reviving its original spirit.

Today, Kéhli Restaurant remains true to tradition, operating as a family business and serving Hungarian bourgeois cuisine. The historic building, combined with the love for hospitality, ensures that Kéhli is not just a restaurant but a true journey through time in Old Buda.

Our History

The Kéhli Restaurant in Óbuda has been welcoming guests for nearly 140 years, preserving the atmosphere and traditions of times gone by. The restaurant has long been a favorite meeting place not only for locals but also for many well-known personalities, including the renowned writer Gyula Krúdy, who was a regular at Kéhli during the last years of his life. The restaurant has a unique way of keeping the historical spirit of Óbuda alive, which can still be felt today.

The history of the Kéhli family goes back to the 1700s, when German settlers arrived in Óbuda after the expulsion of the Turks and began cultivating vineyards and growing wine grapes. They brought the family name from Kehl, Germany. In the late 1800s, Károly Kéhli opened a wine cellar on Kiskorona Street, offering his guests excellent wines, particularly Grünszilváni. Over time, the wine cellar evolved into a full restaurant, offering not only wines but also homemade cold cuts and meals.

The restaurant’s history is full of interesting stories. One of the most famous is the tale of the 'schnapps soup,' which was created after a night of revelry. The winner of a card game ordered schnapps for all the guests, and thanks to Mama Kéhli's ingenuity, a soup made of sauerkraut and smoked meat was served instead. This dish remains one of the restaurant's iconic offerings to this day.

Gyula Krúdy, the famous writer, was one of Kéhli Restaurant's best-known patrons. He spent his final years living on nearby Templom Street and visited the restaurant almost daily, enjoying his favorite plum wine and sharing conversations with fellow writers and artists. His presence, along with the stories about him, added to the restaurant’s legendary reputation.

The restaurant maintained its popularity after World War II but faced challenges during the communist era. In the 1980s, Tibor Cecei Horváth revived the restaurant, restoring it to its former glory by expanding the building and preserving its traditions, thus reviving its original spirit.

Today, Kéhli Restaurant remains true to tradition, operating as a family business and serving Hungarian bourgeois cuisine. The historic building, combined with the love for hospitality, ensures that Kéhli is not just a restaurant but a true journey through time in Old Buda.

Reviews

What Our Guests Said about Us

We cannot be more proud of the reviews that our guests are leaving. They encourage us to keep on delivering exceptional dishes and sharing Hungary's culinary heritage through Kéhli.

Pete O.

"Outstanding cuisine and service These days when service seems to be sliding we had a great experience with our waitress who was attentive, funny and gave superb service. The meal too, was excellent and very filling. (No room for dessert) We were that impressed, we thanked the manager personally"

Josie H.

"lovely atmosphere with beautiful live music!!! food incredible and caters ok to vegetarian. very pretty lay out of restaurant and cosy feel. excellent for families and friends. goulash 10/10 and can have cup or bowl sized, paprikash also very good. traditional cuisine but feels like fine dining. waiters/waitresses speak english if needs"

Bobby B.

"All the food was delicious! We stayed nearby and felt like staying close but I would highly recommend anyone to come here. There was also some live music, which was the perfect addition with great sound. The grilled goose liver is delicious, as was the Bear Pad. We finished it off with the Hungarian Bread Pudding. Delicious food and great atmosphere."

Van vegetáriánus étel az étlapon?

Igen, éttermünk kínálatában számos vegetáriánus fogás található, mint például a házias lecsó vagy a grillezett kecskesajt friss salátával.

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