Hortobágy Great Inn (Nagycsárda)
Hortobágyi Nagycsárda
A grassland coaching inn founded in 1699 at the end of the Nine-holed Bridge. It is Hungary's most famous csárda, known for its herdsmen's soup and Hortobágy pancakes.
The Great Inn is one of the oldest surviving roadside coaching inns in Hungary. In the 18th century it provided food and lodging to carters and herdsmen travelling between Debrecen and Pest, and poets such as Sándor Petőfi left verses here. It is now a traditional Hungarian restaurant. Thick walls, wooden beams and herding implements preserve its old character. Signature dishes include grey cattle stew, herdsmen's soup (gulyás) and Hortobágy pancakes, filled with minced meat and rolled up. Small Romani bands often play. Expect to pay about 6,000–10,000 forints per person, and book ahead for lunch in peak season. It is right next to the Nine-holed Bridge and the visitor centre.
Opening hours
Approx. 11:00–21:00 (shorter in winter)
Nearby sights
- Hortobágy Shepherd Museum
- Nine-holed Bridge
- Hortobágy National Park
- Hortobágy Bird Park & Hospital
- Hortobágy Puszta Animal Park
- Máta Stud Farm & Puszta Carriage Tour
- Hortobágy Wildlife Park
- Hortobágy Fishponds & Narrow-gauge Railway