The incognito that time
The oldest restaurant
in the heart of the downtown
Liszt Ferenc Square who was always and idea in Budapest, it provided color and vividness with it’s iconic places. The peak and highlight was a long time ago for the literature, books and music. But now the entertainment and amusement took its place.
In the first part of the 90s (1994), the first cool place was the incognito which works nowadays too, the life of the guest catering started with us. At that time the owners recognized that Budapest needs trend cafes, restaurants with opened terraces, it has a positive effect for the culture of the city, and for the tourism. On that way many fashionable places were opened, and for the beginning of 2000, it became the most colorful and busiest party area. In every year when the nice weather stepped into, all of the restaurants opened their huge terraces which reflects for the squere the real Mediterranean atmosphere.
*You can see the terrace of incognito before opening, as the waitor organizes the chairs and tables. This bar restaurant was the first cafe at Liszt Ferenc, which still works until today.
Those years around 2000
At first in 2000, the incognito was renewed, for the original plan it was working as a cocktail bar, party place, and organized events. At the beginning the walls were dark, and the tables had candles. After the refurbishment the place got the trendy minimalistic style, with colorful walls, and it got a decoration with Vinly jazz discs.
The place drew the youth in their 20’s who liked the acid jazz and funky music. Hundreds of parties, laughters, residens dj-s, vodka redull, spirits, and you awoke only Sunday afternoon. Were you there?
“Liszt Ferenc Square is still the coolest for me. It is bad to see that it is not the same as it was. Incognito is one of the big old name, which it is still works.. In fact this is the only one what kept the same name and didn’t change. It cannot make a mistake for me. But I need to add it never made a mistake :)”
Worn glory
and new era
Since the opening the square and the city changed a lot. The previous party place Maginot line, that started at Liszt Ferenc Square and finished at Ráday street, placed to another area. Many restaurants owners were changed and it has lost its old atmosphere, by the time generation grew up, so the regular customers disappeared too.
Interior and terrace of the incognito before the renovation
This old worn cultic place, created a new restaurant in 2013, the owner is the new Turkish Ferhat Güray, carried in his heart the Hungarian kitchen and guest catering. Our owner lives in Hungary for years, and a little bit he assumes himself as Hungarian. With high knowledge he started the renovation, so in this way the insight got a clean wonderful look. We have transformed our terrace for the winter cold too, to meet up the requirements of the modern era, to give a message for the guest that there is a new thing at the old place.
The work process did not stopped, continuously we built, figure out new things to make the place friendlier and to give a high level quality area, and it is not a secret to get back its old glimmering.
INCOGNITO NOWADAYS
Guest catering with a warm heart,
in a cosy friendly atmosphere.
In the last decade, as the guest catering sector we have struggled with lots of things too, but the love of the guest, and their satisfaction helped us to overcome. One thing did not change: Our mission, to bring back the old era of Liszt Ferenc square, to make attractive the hungarian kitchen with the attitude of friendliness to give an odd experience for the hungarians and foreign people.
The incognito family
Over the years, while some of our members have changed, we have always managed to build a strong team, and today we’ve become a close-knit community. Perhaps that’s our secret.
management
Ferhat Güray
Owner of Incognito
In 2013, the new Turkish owner, Ferhat Güray, took over the management of the restaurant. He has always had a passion for Hungarian cuisine and quality hospitality. Having lived in Hungary for decades, he even considers himself somewhat Hungarian. A key figure in the restaurant’s life, he continually encourages the team, and we are proud of how he contributes daily to the success of the restaurant.
“Thirty years ago, I sat here on the Incognito terrace as a guest when it was still a cocktail bar. To this day, nostalgic couples who first met here still visit us. One of our open goals is to once again fill the legendary Liszt Ferenc Square with Hungarian guests.”
Gergely Szklenár
Restaurant Manager
Our manager, Gergő, is an experienced and reliable figure who holds the team together, coordinates the restaurant’s daily operations, and oversees the work of colleagues on the floor. His exceptional knowledge of gastronomy is something he strives to pass on to others.
Though his responsibilities are extensive, he always finds time to bring a smile to his colleagues’ faces. Being a true hospitality professional, Gergő often joins in on the floor, winning over guests with his polite and friendly attitude.
Tamás Kovács
Assistant Manager
Joining us as a newcomer with incredible energy, Tomi is a true globetrotter with years of experience abroad. He ensures everything is in place, and under his watch, there’s no option for mistake. Whatever he undertakes, he strives for excellence, expecting the same commitment from others.
He’s the one who elevates the guest experience here, creating a special atmosphere that makes our guests leave with a brighter day, a smile, and a full stomach.
Anna Begyes
Marketing and Brand Manager
Anna is responsible for brand building, visual design, marketing communication, and strategic planning for the restaurant. She makes sure everything is as we envisioned—or even beyond our wildest dreams.
She believes that gastronomy is a language of love, a means of communication that brings together and strengthens the bonds between different generations, cultures, families, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers. Her ideas keep the team energized, and it’s almost unbelievable how much energy and creativity this young woman possesses.
Kitchen is the heart of the restaurant…
János Nagy
Executive Chef
For Jani, the restaurant was love at first sight. From the moment he arrived, he knew he was embarking on a new journey, one where it wouldn’t just be a kitchen! He is the driving force behind our kitchen, the creator of our dishes, tirelessly searching for the essence of new flavors and reimagining traditional dishes while carefully adding a little twist to each one.
A dedicated advocate for high quality, he considers it important to inspire the new generation. His passion is constant change, believing that there is always room for improvement and that the only way is up.
Balázs Kocsis
Sous Chef
Balázs is a true team player, maintaining good relationships with everyone. His friendly personality, good humor, and constant cheerfulness always lift the spirits of those around him.
He believes that the love of cooking is what gives dishes their final flavor. Using fresh ingredients, he prepares traditional and seasonal dishes daily for our guests so that their time with us becomes a memory filled with flavors and aromas.
Dániel Horváth
Pastry Chef, Cook
Dani is the youngest member of our kitchen team, joining us right out of school. His first job couldn’t have started with more energy. He is incredibly hardworking and humble, spreading his wings while also serving as our music manager and the kitchen’s own Pavarotti.
We are very proud of how well he has adapted and quickly found his place in the kitchen. He values working in an environment that truly feels youthful, where he can learn the profession step by step.
those who shake us up…
Enikő Sas
Barmaid
In the first cocktail bar on Liszt Ferenc Square, the drink selection has to be just as defining as the food. Enikő has been a pillar of our team for ten years and has become an indispensable link in Incognito, while also being our most cheerful member, embodying true girl power, always bringing a bit of positive energy.
She even experiments with cocktails at home in her own kitchen, and many of her creations goes onto our drink menu, delighting guests with her stunning and aesthetically crafted drink compositions. She believes bartending is truly a vocation that cannot be pursued half-heartedly.
Zoltán Németh
Bartender
Zoli has climbed every step in the hospitality industry, gaining insight into numerous areas before finally landing behind the bar, where his work has seamlessly become his hobby. He has been mastering the art of drink-making with us for some time, bringing a completely unique perspective to his mixes.
He believes the bar offers many opportunities for self-expression—this is their playground, where they can fully unleash their creativity. It is from these experiments that our signature cocktails are born, allowing our bartenders every day to showcase Budapest’s coolest drinks in ways you’ve never tasted before…
the happiest service track…
Zoltán Galyas
Waiter
Our senior waiter, Zoli, can make anyone laugh. He’s like a whirlwind, appearing everywhere and reaching every place with a smile on his face. He loves the variety and challenges at Incognito.
Guests adore him, and he goes out of his way to meet every need, adding a little extra to the time spent here to brighten their day and turn a simple meal into an occasion. The positive feedback from guests fills him with energy. If you’re seated at Zoli’s table, you’ll be in very good hands!
Ferenc Nagy Szurmai
Waiter
Feri is one of the kindest and most helpful among us; anyone can count on him at any time, and he’s always the first to lend a hand, even to help lift a stroller over the threshold. You can laugh a lot with him, and this positive, always cheerful mentality flows into his work—he couldn’t do it any other way.
If we asked him what motivates him, he’d say it’s the guests – the people who give positive feedback and constructive criticism, whose opinions truly matter because they help us become the best.
Márk Tótszegi
Waiter
Mr. Casually Perfect. Márk is a master of communication; not only becouse he speak English fluently, but he also has an instinctive sense to know what people really want. For him, it’s not just about serving a good meal; he values sharing educational insights, allowing guests to discover not just food and drinks, but the stories behind them.
Communication with him is easy and smooth, and besides his expertise, he does everything with effortless elegance. There’s no pressure to conform, which makes us a little envious.
Tünde Bagó
Waitress
Tündi is our little star, the only female member of our serving staff – true girl power 2.0. She maintains great relationships with everyone, being super sweet and super kind. She previously tried her hand as a hostess with us, and she liked our community and hospitality so much that she returned.
“I love that at Incognito, everyone senses where they’re needed to keep things running smoothly and make our days enjoyable. I’m grateful to my colleagues for seeing the value in me and letting me contribute to the success of this restaurant.”
Sándor Bundzik
Waiter
Sanyi has only been with us for a few months, but there’s no need to worry about him – he’s also a seasoned veteran in the field.
“I was thrown into the deep end from the very beginning. Along with healthy competition, the whole atmosphere feels like a big Italian family; every day holds some surprise or challenge to solve, and everyone wants to prove they’re the best. But in the end, we succeed together every single day, and sometimes the mood is so good that we almost forget we’ve been working all day.”
Petra Bedő
Hostess
Petra has a very important role as she’s responsible for the guests’ first impressions. With her opened and friendly personality she’s truly refreshing to be around. She has a unique ability to charm everyone; she promotes the restaurant as if her life depended on it.
She finds her job very exciting, as there’s a mix of different personalities here, resulting in a diverse target audience. She sees her main role as bringing the essence of urban life and gastronomy closer to both foreign and Hungarian guests who find their way here.
This year, we’re celebrating our 30th anniversary, reminiscing with joy about the amazing years behind us. Along the way, we’ve made countless friends, partners, and colleagues, and we’re grateful to everyone who has, for however long, added their own story to ours.
We’re very proud that more and more people have experienced what it’s like to be our guest. Every day, we continue to work wholeheartedly to make Incognito a lively, vibrant place. We know others, elsewhere, might do it differently. Perhaps. But this is how we do it.
Ferenc Liszt himself shows the way, if you are walking there. Who would sit next to him for a lunch or dinner.
Statue of Ferenc Liszt
*The statue of László Martin was established in 1986 when the square was refurbished which stands exactly in front of our restaurant.
YOU CAN FIND US HERE
Visit us and live
the Incognito experience!
H-1061 Budapest, Liszt Ferenc Square 3.
Opening hours:
Monday-Wednesday : 16.00-24.00
Thursday -Sunday: 12.00-24.00
Kitchen opening:
Monday-Wednesday : 16.00-23.00
Thursday -Sunday: 12.00-23.00
info@incognito.hu
H-1061 Budapest, Liszt Ferenc tér 3.