The 98-year-old ‘palace’ that’s been turned into a huge food attraction – similar to ones found in New York and Dubai

A NEAR-100-year-old attraction in a popular European city break destination is being turned into a huge market that will show off the best food from local chefs and restaurants.

The recently renovated Corvin Palace first opened as a department store in Budapest in 1926.

However, it’s since undergone a huge renovation and will reopen next year as one of the latest Time Out Markets.

The giant food attractions can be found all over the world, including places like New York, Lisbon, Cape Town and Dubai.

The markets are owned and curated by travel magazine , who say they want to create a physical place where they can showcase the best food that the cities have to offer.

They say: “For more than 50 years, Time Out has discovered and championed the best of city culture – from art to theatre, clubbing to food and drink.

“Now that curation has leapt off our magazine and web pages and into physical reality as Time Out Market – a place where you can immerse yourself in the best stuff in your city, all under one roof, all with the Time Out seal of approval.”

The market promises to be home to “the very best of the city’s food scene”, with 14 kitchens for award-winning chefs and budding restaurateurs to rustle up their dishes.

Several much-loved local gems will be taking part, too.

The former department store in which the market will be held has been redeveloped to “revive its dazzling Neoclassical splendour” ahead of the big opening next year.

Oliver Balogh and Viktor Balogh, minority owners of the palace said: “Corvin Palace is the oldest department store in Budapest.

“We are delighted to be welcoming Time Out Market Budapest to Corvin Palace soon.”

As well as food stalls and restaurant spaces, there’ll also be four bars for visitors to choose from, with cocktails from local mixologists on the menu.

What’s more, there’ll also be an event space with seats for 800 people.

Sandy Hayek, Time Out Market CEO, said: “The food scene is a great reflection of the city itself.

“Budapest offers both traditional, classic and modern, hip elements – it has a vibrant and diverse food scene which we will bring together under one roof at Time Out Market Budapest.”

The Hungarian capital isn’t the only European city to be getting a Time Out Market in the near future, with Barcelona and Prague also in line.

Barcelona’s will be located in the Port Vell area, on the top floor of the Maremagnum.

Similarly, it will also have 14 kitchens from where it can showcase the “city’s incredible gastronomic scene and make the most award-winning chefs and those about to become accessible and affordable”.

There will also be a full-service restaurant, four bars, an event space, a recording studio and a terrace with spectacular views.

Meanwhile, Time Out Market Prague will be located at the heart of the historic city centre in the Savarin, a development in the prime downtown neighbourhood around the famous Wenceslas Square. 

There will be 14 food offerings, two bars, a speakeasy lounge, a cultural space and a retail shop.

Meanwhile, this free food app can save you a fortune on family holidays.

And this city has been named the culinary capital of the UK.