The Gay Hussar opened in 1953 as London’s first Hungarian restaurant. Now over 58 years later, it’s still going strong. The restaurant was opened by Victor Sassie, whose exploration into Hungarian food started when he was sent to Budapest by the British Hotel and Restaurant Association in 1932. It was here where he trained under Károly Gundel, a then well-known Hungarian chef, and upon his return to London he was inspired to open up his first restaurant, which he called Budapest, on Soho’s Dean Street. A second Budapest followed on nearby Frith Street, and then came The Gay Hussar on Greek Street.
