"Jenő Rácz reinterprets Hungarian classics into a polished one-star tasting menu — Budapest's most composed room to impress a client."
About Costes Downtown
Costes Downtown opened in 2015 on the ground floor of the Prestige Hotel in District V, and it has appeared in the Michelin Guide every year since 2016, holding a star for its modern Hungarian cooking. In 2025 it marked its tenth anniversary — a decade as one of the most consistent fine-dining rooms in the capital.
Patron chef Jenő Rácz leads the kitchen, taking Hungarian favorites and rebuilding them with contemporary technique. It sits in Budapest's top tier next to Onyx and Stand.
The Kitchen
The menu is built around a seasonal tasting at 39,900 HUF per person, with a chef's table experience at 55,000 HUF for an eight-course view into the open kitchen. Signature courses lean on Hungarian sourcing reworked — foie gras from Parlag with cranberry, parsnip and Tokaji; trout from Tahitótfalu with kohlrabi and smoked butter; the 'Our Garden Downtown' signature of carrot, ginger and micro herbs.
Wine, cocktail and mocktail pairings are offered (30,000, 27,000 and 22,000 HUF respectively), and the cooking is more youthful and design-driven than the original Costes on Ráday Street.
The Room
The interior is a quiet flex: a living green wall and planted ceiling bring the outdoors in, cosy booths line the edges, and the open kitchen anchors the room. It is composed and contemporary rather than gilded — the right register for a business dinner where you want polish without stuffiness.
Best for impressing a client
Costes Downtown is Budapest's room to impress a client or close a deal: a starred tasting menu, a calm contemporary setting and faultless pacing. For more of the city's best, see Borkonyha WineKitchen or the tasting-menu guide.
Not for
Not for a casual walk-in or a quick bite — this is a set tasting-menu evening that asks for time and a reservation, not a spontaneous lunch.
Frequently Asked
Who is the chef at Costes Downtown?
Patron chef Jenő Rácz leads the kitchen, reinterpreting Hungarian classics with modern technique. The restaurant has held a Michelin star and appeared in the Guide since 2016.
How much is the tasting menu?
The seasonal tasting menu is 39,900 HUF per person; the eight-course chef's table is 55,000 HUF. Wine pairing adds 30,000 HUF.
What are the signature dishes?
Foie gras from Parlag with Tokaji, trout from Tahitótfalu with smoked butter, and the 'Our Garden Downtown' carrot-and-ginger signature.
Where is Costes Downtown?
At Vigyázó Ferenc utca 5, on the ground floor of the Prestige Hotel in District V, downtown Budapest.
What occasion suits it best?
A client dinner or a celebration — the calm, contemporary room and precise tasting menu make it ideal for impressing guests.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Costes Downtown
Reserve through Costes Downtown; request the chef's table for the eight-course experience.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
AddressVigyázó Ferenc utca 5, Prestige Hotel
NeighbourhoodDistrict V, Lipótváros
CuisineModern Hungarian
PriceTasting menu 39,900 HUF; chef's table 55,000 HUF
Dress CodeSmart; elegant
SeatingDining room with booths plus a chef's table
ReservationReservations essential; book ahead, especially for the chef's table
