Get ready to eat your way across Eastern and Central Europe and beyond at this year’s Góbéfest, taking place in Cathedral Gardens, Manchester from 20–22 June 2025.
From traditional Hungarian spit roasted sweet pastries known as kürtőskalács and deep fried lángos to artisan pálinka cocktails, the festival’s lineup of food and drink traders promises old favourites and new flavours alike.
With opening hours stretching late into the evening and tickets available on a pay as you feel basis (the Festival stresses that some ticket income is vital for its survival) this is your chance to sample authentic dishes from across Europe, and a few surprises from other parts of the globe too.
Maramures Plai cu Flori
Transylvanian food kings Maramures Plai cu Flori couldn't wait to return to Góbéfest after their first visit last year. Travelling up from Milton Keynes, they will be cooking up toltott kaposzta (sarmale), which are mincemeat stuffed cabbage leaves and gulyas (bogracs gulyas), the show cooked meat and vegetable stew seasoned with lots of paprika that is synonymous with Hungarian cuisine. On the grill will be mici (mititei in Hungarian), which are small, grilled rolls of ground beef, lamb, and pork, seasoned with garlic, paprika, and other spices, pork steaks, smoked sausage, chicken thighs and vegetable kebabs, all served with fries and pickles.
The Hungry Hungarian
Hungarian Peter Kovacs and his Jamaican wife live in Oldham and make the authentic Hungarian street food called lángos. For the uninitiated, they're fried flatbreads topped with sour cream, grated cheese and garlic, and sometimes salami or ham.
Parázska x Pretzi Bakery
Parázska is an award-winning kürtőskalács, that is chimney cake, maker from Transylvania. Milton Keyes bakery Pretzi travelled to Góbéfest to learn from the best how to barbecue these sweet pastries to perfection over a charcoal grill. Alongside traditional versions, expect pleasing twists, from the addition of ingredients including dried raspberries and chilli flakes in this UK/ Transylvania collab.
Mihócsa Pálinka x The Cocktail Broker
Another collab, this time between an artisan Hungarian spirit producer and a London cocktail purveyor. Mihócsa Pálinka sources fruits, including peaches, plums, cherries, pears and strawberries from the Hungarian agricultural city of Kecskemét and its surrounds, double distilling them using traditional processes into the clear spirit pálinka. You can either sample them neat (there are 40% and 50% proof versions) or as one of a number of pálinka cocktails specially created for Góbéfest, including the Maleficent (pálinka, cherry brandy, blackberry puree and pineapple juice.)
Three Greedy Pigs
Hailing from South Yorkshire, Three Greedy Pigs sell a wide selection of traditional German sausages prepared on a super-sized Bavarian charcoal swing grill. From currywurst to foot long chilli beef frankfurters, beechwood-smoked sausages with creamy Emmental cheese, turkey hot dogs and vegan bratwurst, there's something for everyone.
Best of Hungary Wine Bar
Best of Hungary is an award-winning UK-based specialist online food and drink retailer. At Góbéfest, they will be serving still and sparkling organic Tokaji white wines from the historic Grof Degenfeld winery, ruby red Bull's Blood (Bikaver) wine and the multi-award winning Tokaji gin from Seven Hills Distillery in Bodrogkisfaludn in north east Hungary.
Chimney Cake Paradise
Chimney Cake Paradise from London will be serving up Hungarian delights including lángos and chimney cake alongside a selection of soft drinks.
Matcha Lab
Using high quality matcha powder imported from Japan, Jiayi Li of Matcha Lab will be offering a variety of matcha-based cold drinks, including a matcha strawberry latte, from this new Stockport mobile trader.
D&X Caribbean
Rusholme's well-loved D&X Caribbean is bringing the enticing aromas of jerk chicken, curried goat, and fresh seafood to Góbéfest, drawing in festival-goers eager to experience the rich culinary traditions of the Caribbean.
Java John's
Mancunian coffee connoisseurs Java John's will be serving up iced teas including passion fruit and lemon and watermelon, iced lattes and dusted hot chocolates alongside, of course, top quality coffee.
M&N Catering
Wiganer Navenka Cubbins will be serving up delicious churros, crepes, waffles, loaded doughnuts and barista made coffee.