Prepare to eat and drink your way across the globe at this year’s Góbéfest, taking place in Cathedral Gardens, Manchester, from 19–21 June 2026 from 11 am to 11 pm.
From traditional Hungarian barbecued sweet pastries known as kürtőskalács and deep-fried lángos to artisan pálinka, 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, this is your chance to sample authentic tastes from across the breadth of Europe, plus a few surprises from other parts of the world.
Hungarian Goulash Hut
The Hut specialises in authentic Hungarian food, such as beef goulash, chicken hortobagyi (savoury pancakes), vegan goulash and traditional cakes. Travelling up from London, they will also be cooking up töltött káposzta, which are mincemeat-stuffed cabbage leaves.
This Doncaster-based baker will be serving up the barbecued sweet pastries known as chimney cake (kürtőskalács) alongside deep-fried flatbreads lángos and beigli, sweet poppy seed rolls that are traditionally served in Hungary at Christmas time.
Maramures Plai cu Flori
Transylvanian food kings Maramures Plai cu Flori couldn't wait to return to Góbéfest for their third visit. Travelling up from Milton Keynes, on the grill will be mici (mititei in Romanian), 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.
Pierogi
Pierogi is a brand new Polish food stall from South Yorkshire, which will have, you guessed it, four types of the Polish dumplings known as pierogi to sample, including meat, veggie and vegan options as well as a sweet dessert choice.
Monpesh
Offering Afro-fusion food at festivals around the north west, Salford's Monpesh cooks up dishes including jollof rice, goat curry, puff puff, fried yams, akara and fried plantains, including vegan options.
The Greekery
Expect Greek favourites from souvlaki and gyros to Greek salad, alongside vegan/vegetarian options from this Leicestershire food trader.
Andreea's Best Food
Andreea's Best Food offers ready-to-eat seafood dishes from the Black Sea, off the coast of Romania. They will be bringing the catch of the day, which often features hamsi, mackerel, prawns, calamari and clams.
Pretzi Bakery
A few years ago, Milton Keynes bakery Pretzi travelled to Góbéfest to learn from Transylvanian master Parázska how to make chimney cake (kürtőskalács) the authentic way - that is, barbecuing the sweet pastries over a charcoal grill. Alongside traditional versions, expect pleasing twists, from the addition of ingredients including dried raspberries and chilli flakes. Also selling lángos, which are sour cream and cheese-topped fried flatbreads.
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.
Creams & Cones
Serving smiles one scoop at a time, premium purveyor of ice cream Creams & Cones will be braving the M62, heading across to Góbéfest from West Yorkshire.
Mihócsa Pálinka
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. A selection of Hungarian wines will also be available.
Manchester Union Lager
Manchester Union Lager is 4.8% lager brewed in Ardwick using traditional central European methods, but with a "Mancunian swagger".
Find out more here.