Hatvanas Fogadó – Best Hungarian Highway Buffet on the M3 Motorway

 Hatvanas Fogadó – The Most Hungarian-Style Rest Stop on the Highway

When you set out on a long drive, you rarely expect a simple roadside stop to turn into an experience. But Hatvanas Fogadó, located near Hort at the 60th kilometer mark of the M3 motorway, has a unique charm that makes it much more than a place to grab a quick bite. There’s something about it that recalls the atmosphere of old Hungarian highways, where drivers and families have been searching for the same familiar flavors for decades — and here, they actually find them.

Hatvanas Fogadó is the kind of place you recognize from afar. Not because of any modern architecture or flashy design, but because of its character. It radiates a sense of homeliness rarely found at motorway rest stops. And it’s no coincidence that many travelers specifically plan their lunch break here when driving between Budapest and Miskolc.

History and Atmosphere

Hatvanas Fogadó has been welcoming travelers for decades. Although its exact opening date isn’t widely known, its name and reputation have long been part of Hungarian motorway culture. The name “60-as” not only refers to the 60th kilometer of the M3, but also symbolically evokes the roadside eateries of the 1960s — a time when people stopped to talk, not just to refuel.

The interior is both retro and cozy. Wooden tables, tablecloths decorated with Hungarian folk motifs, and warm lighting create a welcoming ambiance that makes you want to stay longer — even if you originally only planned to stop for a quick coffee. The air carries the aroma of freshly cooked meats, mixed with gentle background chatter and the clinking of cutlery — the true essence of classic Hungarian roadside dining.

Location and Accessibility

Hatvanas Fogadó sits in a strategic spot at the 60th kilometer of the M3 motorway, near the town of Hort, just about an hour from Budapest. It is easily accessible from both directions, and one of its biggest advantages is its huge private parking area. There’s space not only for cars, but also buses and trucks. It’s completely normal to see family cars, tour buses, and long-haul trucks parked side by side — each traveler arriving with a different purpose, but sharing the same goal: to enjoy a good meal.

The area in front of the restaurant is clean, organized, and clearly signposted. Regular M3 travelers know: Hatvanas is a fixed point on the route. When you stop here, you can count on hot food, clean restrooms, and a touch of genuine Hungarian hospitality.

Opening Hours and Constant Activity

One of the greatest strengths of Hatvanas Fogadó is that it’s open 24/7. This is especially important for night-shift drivers, truckers, and anyone departing at dawn or arriving late. There’s no need to worry about finding the doors locked — Hatvanas is always open.

Breakfast is served from 07:40 to 10:50, lunch from 11:00 to 20:00, and after that, from 20:00 to 07:00, the venue operates as the “60-as Bistro.” This nighttime setup is one of the Fogadó’s unique features — very few places offer freshly prepared hot meals at three in the morning, but here, you can get exactly that.

Prices and the All-You-Can-Eat Experience

Hatvanas Fogadó does not offer à la carte dishes — instead, it operates on an all-you-can-eat buffet system, which is one of the guests’ favorites. The prices are also friendly:

• Breakfast: 2,398 HUF
• Lunch & dinner: 5,598 HUF

For this price, you can eat as much as you like — making it especially great for families and larger groups.

The buffet selection is generous, offering both traditional homemade flavors and nostalgic “canteen-style” classics. One of the tables always features steaming soups — including the classic bean goulash, which is my personal all-time favorite. Among the main courses you’ll find breaded chicken breast, stew with egg barley (tarhonya), Brassó-style pork, and occasionally breaded fish. The sides include rice, roasted potatoes, boiled potatoes, mixed vegetables, and various pickles — just like at a traditional Hungarian family table.

Desserts also follow the classics: homemade strudel, pancakes, Somlói sponge cake — everyone can find their favorite. Drinks are self-served from an automated dispenser: cola, Pepsi, lemon water, and iced tea are all available.

And one thing worth praising: there’s always a free table. No matter how busy it gets, the place is spacious, well-organized, and the food is replenished quickly. The timing can occasionally be a bit slow — for example, when we arrived at lunchtime, it took about 15 minutes to finish setting out the dishes. But honestly, this only proves that the food is freshly prepared rather than reheated leftovers.

The “Hungarian Feast Hall for True Food Lovers”

We arrived at Hatvanas Fogadó around lunchtime. You could see the building from far along the M3 motorway, almost like stepping into a time portal leading back to old-school Hungarian roadside eateries. As soon as we turned off the exit, we entered a huge parking area filled with cars, buses, and trucks — every type of vehicle imaginable, all arriving for the same reason: to eat well.

As we stepped inside, the aroma hit instantly — that familiar, homely Hungarian kitchen smell that makes your stomach growl. The scent of freshly fried breaded chicken and freshly cooked egg barley filled the air, and the entire place radiated a warm, inviting atmosphere.

We headed straight to the all-you-can-eat section, officially called the “Hungarian Feast Hall for True Food Lovers.” It truly feels like a traditional Hungarian restaurant, only in a self-service format.

My favorite part is the older dining area, where the wooden benches still creak when you sit down. There’s something charming about this — people chatting, kids laughing, cutlery clinking — it feels like being part of an old Hungarian movie, just in a modern buffet setting.

As I walked along the buffet, I immediately knew what I was going to eat. My favorite soup is always the bean goulash — thick, smoky, full of beans, just like the version my grandmother makes at home. For my main course, I always choose egg barley with gravy, breaded chicken breast, and fish. These are the flavors I never get tired of. I don’t eat pickles or roasted meats, so I always return to these dishes — and they never disappoint.

The drinks are self-served, and I always choose Pepsi. There’s something satisfying about pulling the lever yourself and watching the cold drink pour into the cup — especially on 

People constantly come and go — some eat quickly because they have to continue driving, while others sit down comfortably and stay longer. The whole place has a unique, homey rhythm: it feels as if Hatvanas Fogadó were its own little village along the motorway, where everyone stops to rest for a moment.

I usually don’t eat dessert, so this time I didn’t have anything either. I just leaned back, drank a few more sips of Pepsi, and watched as others went back for seconds, smiling as they returned to their tables. There’s something genuinely Hungarian about it — something familiar. That might be the best part: stopping for a moment and feeling at home, even if you only came here for lunch.

The Taste of Travel and the Spirit of Hatvanas

After finishing lunch, I sat for a moment longer, taking in the surroundings. Hatvanas Fogadó has something unique — a feeling you rarely find elsewhere. It’s not a fancy restaurant or a modern shopping-mall eatery — it’s a true roadside inn with a soul. It might not be perfect, but that’s exactly why it feels authentic.

The hanging lamps, wooden tables, creaking floors, and slightly old-fashioned yet friendly interior create an atmosphere that encourages you to slow down. Hatvanas isn’t a city lunch spot — it’s a place where travelers pause and unwind.

You often see truck drivers sitting alone, with a large drink next to them, scrolling through their phones. Families gather around the tables, kids running in circles, parents trying to keep up while their plates fill with steaming food. Everyone comes from somewhere else, but here, their paths somehow cross.

What’s great about Hatvanas is how it blends old-school Hungarian charm with the convenience of a modern buffet system. The balance feels natural.

 I looked around once more. The staff kept moving, replacing trays, bringing out fresh dishes — clearly used to the constant flow. There’s no downtime here, because there’s always someone arriving from the motorway.

Stepping outside, the fresh air and the sound of the motorway closed the experience perfectly. Hatvanas Fogadó is truly the kind of place where you stop, enjoy a hearty meal, and then continue your journey. There’s no unnecessary glamour, yet the whole experience is filled with nostalgia — a small piece of real, traditional Hungarian hospitality.

If I’m being honest, I liked this place. Not because it's luxurious, but because it’s simple, familiar, and genuine. The bean goulash was exactly as it should be. The egg barley with gravy, the breaded chicken, and the fish were all delicious. Nothing was overcomplicated — it just felt good. And maybe that’s why Hatvanas Fogadó is still going strong after so many years: because it doesn’t try to be anything more than what it is — a place where you stop, enjoy a comforting meal, and feel a bit at home.

As I got back into the car, I looked once more at the building. The sun was just starting to set, casting a warm golden glow on the Hatvanas sign. And in that moment, I knew — this had been one of the best stops on the entire trip.