Debrecen4U
October 20, 2025
The winners of the “Cívis Host of the Year” competition were honored
Szomszéd Bistro, Jardin Pastry Shop, Black Sheep Café & Kitchen, Aranytölgy Café, and Annuska Ice Cream Bistro were honored with prestigious awards.
In 2025, Cívis Ház Zrt. again announced the “Cívis Host of the Year” competition, this time extending it to the whole of Debrecen. The aim of the competition is to recognize the city’s defining gastronomic players and at the same time encourage local players to further raise the level of Debrecen’s hospitality with exemplary standards and continuous development.
The ceremonial announcement of the results was held on October 17 at the Csokonai National Theatre. The “Cívis Host of the Year 2025” competition included several new features this year.
In addition to the tenants of Cívis Ház Zrt., this year all Debrecen catering establishments were eligible to enter in two categories: “Warm cuisine restaurants” and “café-pastry-breakfast places”. A total of 21 places entered this year’s competition.
Altin Bistro, Annuska ice cream bistro, Aranytölgy Café, Black Sheep Café & Kitchen (in two categories), Bonita Bistro Debrecen, Buddha Original Thai Wok & Sushi Bar, Cafe Frei Debrecen Főtér, DG Italiano – Ristorante Bar Pizzeria, Frida Café (Speciality Coffee-Food-Events), IKON Restaurant Debrecen, Jardin Pastry Shop, Melange Restaurant, Next Bistro (in two categories), Panificio il Basilico (Debrecen), Station Bistro, Szomszéd Bistro Debrecen, The Macaron Bites, Vintage World and Winestone Debrecen entered the competition.
The restaurants were tested by a prestigious professional jury, chaired by Balázs Csapody, president of the Pannon Gastronomy Academy and owner of Kistücsök Restaurant.
The members of the jury are winemaker Sarolta Bárdos (Tokaj Nobilis; Winemaker of Wines 2024), chef Patrik Nyikos (Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs world champion; member of the Bocuse d’Or medal team; Boros László award-winning chef) and Edit Erdei, CEO of Cívis Ház Zrt.
In this year’s competition, the following restaurants received the prestigious recognition:
- The professional jury awarded the “Cívis Host of the Year” award in the “Warm cuisine restaurants” category to Szomszéd Bisztró and in the “cafes-pastry shops-breakfast places” category to Jardin Pastry Shop!
- The “Cívis Host of the Year” public award in the “warm cuisine” category went to Black Sheep Café & Kitchen, and in the “cafes-pastry shops-breakfast places” category to Aranytölgy Café.
- The “Cívis Host of the Year award” competition was expanded with a special award this year. Accordingly, at the recognition of the Pannon Gastronomy Academy, the special award for “Rising Talent of the Year” went to Annuska Ice Cream Bistro.
The jury judged according to the national standard, based on the Dining Guide criteria:
- Interior and terrace (first impression, organization, design, atmosphere)
- Ingredient quality (freshness, regionality, seasonality)
- Kitchen technology (professional execution, textures, technological knowledge)
- Harmony of taste and creativity (function and harmony on the plate)
- Service and responsibility (professional, multilingual service; hygiene; sustainability)
- Online presence (web, social media, evaluation platforms)
The public vote took place between October 1 and 14 on the civishaz.hu website. Thus, in addition to the jury, the general public could also decide which restaurants would take home the public recognition.
More than two thousand people voted for their favorite place on the Cívis Ház Zrt. website. Among the voters, Cívis Ház Zrt. has drawn two vouchers worth HUF 50 thousand, which can be used at the audience prize locations. The lucky winners will be notified by e-mail by Cívis Ház Zrt.
Source and photo credit:dehir.hu
