One of the most beautiful McDonald's restaurants in the world reopens with high-quality materials and spectacular attractions

McDonald's opened 34 years ago, in 1990, in Nyugati Square, which is considered one of the most beautiful fast food restaurants in the world. On 15 August 2024, after more than six months of construction, the restaurant will reopen, thus completing the company's comprehensive restaurant transformation programme: the final stage of the project was not only the transformation of the restaurant in line with the "Experience of the Future" concept, but also the reconstruction of the interior of the historic building, its special interior design elements, including the use of natural materials. The restaurant reopens this afternoon, the work was worth approximately 1.8 billion forints , according to a company statement.

Preserved historic environment

Previously, Market Építő Zrt. rebuilt the Mekit on Régi Posta Street, creating a globally unique interior design solution. Now, the McDonald's building on Nyugati Square has also been transformed into a space that meets today's expectations, with rich decorations and an interior interwoven with neo-Renaissance and neo-Romantic features, in keeping with the eclectic Nyugati Railway Station next door. The restaurant's interior was designed by the Australian design studio Landini, and adapted to the location by Hungarian interior designer Géza Sass. The restaurant has retained its value to this day, even after the renovation.

It's all based on McDonald's RAY design concept, which includes unique mirrored glass surfaces, copper-clad fixtures and a number of special but design-integrated furniture elements. All interior elements are made of real, natural materials: moulded terrazzo flooring and wood, leather and copper panelling were used in the construction, while the decorative painting of the interior pillars was done by a restorer.

Contemporary solutions

An important change is that the staircase layout of the guest space has been redesigned: the staircase leading to the reception area has been removed and this section of the ceiling has been raised to the entrance floor level. Guests can access the gallery and the mezzanine level via a staircase in the centre of the building, on two sides. In a real highlight, and unique in the country, a conveyor belt will transport the products between the two levels of the kitchen. The conveyor will go up to the gallery level, and guests will be able to follow the products through a glass box.

The restaurant's digital development was not left behind: like the other renovated restaurants, touch-screen kiosks were added to the traditional cash registers. Diners will of course be able to place their order via the McDonald's mobile app, or even order directly to their table. The outdoor area behind the restaurant also has a completely new look and feel, with new furniture and a lounge-style terrace.

The most impressive domestic McDonald's

"The Western Restaurant has always been one of the most impressive restaurants in our system. I think it's a tribute to the significance of our restaurant transformation programme that the final stage of a project announced years ago has been this iconic building, crowning the whole process. The McDonald's in Nyugati Square opened 34 years ago, in 1990, and is considered one of the most beautiful McDonald's restaurants in the world. We spent six months renovating it to stay true to that heritage. The renovation included a number of solutions that are unique to the McDonald's system worldwide, including elements made from real, natural building materials"

- stressed Zsolt Egi, managing director of Progress Étteremhálózat Kft., the McDonald's restaurant operator in Hungary.