Goli

The story

Goli Budapest: Middle Eastern Charcoal Cooking at Arany János utca 32

Goli is a Middle Eastern restaurant and bar at Arany János utca 32 in Budapest, and the Michelin Guide gave it a Bib Gourmand in 2026 for good-quality, good-value cooking. The kitchen works mostly over open embers, and the menu changes almost daily with what local growers bring to market.

Fire and the open kitchen

Chef Harel Zakaim shapes the kitchen around charcoal, and most dishes, vegetable and meat alike, are finished over the coals. The kitchen sits in plain view of the dining room, so the cooking is part of the room's energy. The owners describe Goli as a family-run farm-to-table restaurant that buys from small farmers.

Plates for sharing

The menu is built for the table. Hummus arrives in a mortar, aubergine is grilled until smoky, and lemon chicken shawarma comes with tahina and burnt lemon. Lamb ribs and Tunisian fish are among the larger plates. Desserts lean on Middle Eastern classics, including pomegranate malabi and knafeh with sage syrup and salty cheese.

Drinks and atmosphere

The cocktail list draws on Levantine spices, with Persian lemon, rose water and cardamom appearing across the menu. The wine list is short, and Gault&Millau scored Goli 12 points in 2026 while noting it could use more range. The room is intimate and homely, and the music sets the pace. One reviewer described it as a slice of Tel Aviv in the city centre.