Food that feeds the soul
Taste our sophisticated take on terroir
Seasonal fine dining
Discover Transylvania, one delectable bite at a time
Enjoy seasonal cuisine at the Kitchen Barn
Our menu, a love letter to Transylvania
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Food and Drink Romania

Amid lush valleys where cows graze freely and farmers still harvest their crops by hand, in a part of the world where time has stood still, a surprisingly contemporary experience awaits. Chef Róbert Tordai is a storyteller. And terroir is his biggest source of inspiration. He draws upon both tradition and innovative techniques to create dishes that are at once familiar and surprising, comforting and bold.

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Enjoy seasonal cuisine at the Kitchen Barn

Welcome to the heart of Bethlen Estates, our restaurant. Inspired by the rich tapestry of local flavours and ever-changing seasons, we invite you to embark on a gastronomic adventure that celebrates simplicity while mastering a sophisticated approach to cuisine. From earthy vegetables to tender meats, each ingredient is chosen for its freshness, its quality and its ability to evoke the region’s unique character. Our menu, a love letter to Transylvania, is a testament to our respect for the land’s bounty and the people that tend to it.

Truffle hunting and picnic

The centuries-old forests of Transylvania are the perfect habitat for both the black summer and winter truffles that can be found from May through August and between September and December, respectively. You will be accompanied by experienced guides and their well-trained truffle dogs.
The tour starts at 10am and will take you into the forests of the Bethlen Estates. Picnic will be served at around 1pm and you will return to Bethlen Estates at 3pm. In the evening, chef Robert will prepare dinner with the freshly found truffles from the day’s hunt.

Indulge in the art of wine tasting

Meet us in the original cellars of Count Janos Bethlen’s Manor House in Cris for a celebration of terroir. Sample a curated selection of outstanding wines and our home-made brandies made from pears and apples from our family’s orchards, accompanied by delicious artisanal bread, local cured meats and cheeses. Among others you will taste splendid white wines from nearby Cetatea de Balta (Kukullovar, Kokelburg), a former Bethlen castle which today houses one of the largest wineries in the country. A selection of red wines discovered during our travels to Bordeaux will round up the experience. The wine tasting starts at 4pm and ends at 6pm.

Cookery Class with our chef Robert

There are a few key ingredients which characterise Transylvanian food, and which are seldom found in other parts of the country, such as rhubarb, horseradish, tarragon and garlic. Transylvanian gastronomy is a great mixture of several nationalities: Hungarians, Saxons (Germans), Romanians, Turks, Armenians and more, which means the local cuisine is influenced by many different flavours and cooking styles. Western European influence also features heavily in the historical cookbooks traditionally used by the Hungarian noble families in Transylvania for many centuries. A cooking class with our chef Robert will introduce you to the many influences that make Transylvanian cuisine what it is today. Robert promises an authentic Transylvanian experience which champions the rich history and heritage of the region, and adds an element of playfulness and creativity. “Bon appétit”! The cooking course starts at 4pm and ends at 6pm.