Villa Zara Boutique Hotel Resort

Floor-to-ceiling glass windows ensure that a visit here will be accompanied by spectacular views of the eponymous mountain, which towers 1,895m above sea level. The spacious building is in total harmony with the region – an affluent area popular with skiers. An à la carte is available alongside three tasting menus (comprising classic, seasonal or vegan fare), which are the best way to sample the kitchen’s expressive, consummately seasoned dishes. Influences and produce come from both Poland and France, in dishes such as smoked eel with potato and a top-tier sabayon.

This lovely neighbourhood restaurant sits in a small village in the Bükk Mountains and is run by charming couple Adam and Luca. It couldn’t be a bigger part of the community. Not only does it reside in Adam’s home village, but the locals get involved by growing produce for them – and that's without considering the host of events on offer, from live music and guest chef evenings to seasonal Farmers' Markets. The generously proportioned, country-style dishes change with the seasons and use every part of the ingredient. In summer, sit on the decked terrace; in winter, cosy up beside the fire.

A delightful villa at the base of the snow-capped Tatra mountains is the setting for this lovely, slightly Nordic-style basement restaurant where you’re welcomed in by the crackle of the log fire. The cooking offers great value for money, with top-quality produce fashioned into richly satisfying dishes, such as meltingly tender venison loin with a deep, intense reduction. If you’re exploring the area – as many skiing enthusiasts do – consider staying overnight in one of the sleek bedrooms.

Set on a cobbled street in the Old Town, alongside the castle walls, this bright, colourful bistro is known by food-lovers across the country – and it certainly deserves its reputation. It’s family-owned and professionally run by a friendly team, and the menu is an appealing mix of colourful Hungarian and Mediterranean dishes. While classic flavours are in abundance, presentation is decidedly modern; the wild boar soup is not to be missed, as is the beef cheek goulash. As well as a wine shop, they also have bedrooms, and in summer you can sit in the courtyard beside the working water wheel.

If wine’s your thing, you can’t go wrong with a visit to this striking hillside building in the heart of wine country. You must open, of course, with one of their own Sauska wines in the smart bar, before heading through to the sleek restaurant whose wonderful terrace offers views over the vines below. There’s a small à la carte of refined, eye-catching dishes as well as two tasting menus on offer, one themed around Tokaj itself – choose this option along with their local wine recommendations to fully immerse yourself in the region. To really complete the experience, ask for a peek into their

It might be tucked away in the suburbs, but this neighbourhood bistro is so highly regarded that plenty of people come from further afield. The cosy terrace has its own wooden bar, and the split-level interior has a relaxed, traditional feel. The ever-evolving menu of seasonal dishes offers something for everyone, and the lunchtime options are great value; keep an eye out for the Bird’s milk and orange egg white foam dessert.

Expectation builds as you follow the winding road that leads up to the Avalon Resort & SPA hotel in the Bükk Mountains. A village unto itself, it’s a family friendly place – and the restaurant’s menu reflects this. There’s something for everyone here, from pizzas and pastas to Wagyu cooked on the Josper grill, while the wine list offers a great selection to accompany your meal. Sit in the stylish bar beside the open kitchen or head through further into the conservatory.