The history of the restaurant at Kígyó utca 4–6 began in 1902–1903, when Förster János opened the beer hall named “Apostolok” (The Apostles) in the building designed by Schmahl Henrik in 1894. Even then, the establishment stood out for its special atmosphere: with its dimly lit booths, the apostles’ heads displayed above the alcoves and its strict house rules, which read: “Silence and sobriety. Open from 9 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.”
In turn-of-the-century Budapest, beer culture received a huge boost. Beer drinking became a middle-class privilege, and the city’s restaurants competed for the favour of the breweries. The Apostolok signed an exclusive contract with the Pilsen brewery, and later sold rarities such as Löwenbräu and the famous St Benno beer – which at the time could be drunk only here in the entire country.
The restaurant’s true golden age came in the 1920s and 1930s; even Krúdy Gyula captured the special atmosphere of the place in his writings.
The dining room took its present form during the 1913 reconstruction: the furniture designed by Gattaringer Oszkár, the woodcarvings by Bartolfy János, the tiling by Schillinger Vilmos and the mosaics by Szabó Kálmán can still be admired in their original beauty, and the restaurant has been a listed monument since 1973.
Back to the roots
The Apostolok had been closed since Covid and underwent a complete renovation before reopening; it is now operated by Ilga Catering Kft.
In the newly opened restaurant, the original spirit of the interior – the historic woodcarvings, the vaults and the iconic booths with the apostles’ heads – remains a defining part of the experience. The establishment once again evokes the atmosphere that made it a legend for generations, while also offering the comforts of modern hospitality.
Guests can also look forward to a number of new features: a terrace in the heart of the city centre, live music every evening, and the historic interior bathed in modern light thanks to the glass walls.
According to reports, the menu is based on the classics of Hungarian cuisine, with dishes that have been inseparable from the legendary establishment for decades. Goulash soup, grilled duck liver with thyme-infused rosé pear and toasted buttered milk loaf, beef stew with sztrapacska and somlói galuska are all on the menu.
Source: Turizmus Online