Budapest is known for its cool ruin bars, relaxing thermal spas, impressive buildings, and affordable attractions. But no matter why you’re in the Hungarian capital, make sure you try its amazing and diverse food.
You can savor delicious Hungarian dishes like gulyás (beef stew) or chicken paprikás with nokedli or rice. And don’t miss lángos, deep-fried bread with sour cream and cheese, perfect for a late-night snack after a few drinks. Budapest also excels in Turkish, Italian, and Portuguese cuisines. Hungry? Us too! Check out the best restaurants in Budapest right now.
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——–Where to eat in Budapest——–
1. Borkonyha
What is it?
A Michelin-starred restaurant whose inventive dishes are paired with specific wines – hence the name, ‘Wine Kitchen’.
Why go?
This restaurant is not only for people who love fancy food – those who enjoy weekend outings will also like the excellent menu. Even though eating here might cost more than other meals in Budapest, you will be amazed by the options at Borkonyha. They have a five-course menu and a list of dishes you can order separately, like lettuce soup with scallops or quail with pearl barley and cranberries. The restaurant is open only in the evenings during the week.
2. Rosenstein
What is it?
A perfect little Hungarian local, offering up classic dishes and more.
Why go?
This is a nice restaurant with a menu written on a chalkboard. The tables have white tablecloths, and the walls are made of bare bricks. The waiters are always busy. Rosenstein offers the best Jewish and Hungarian food, so it’s a good idea to make a reservation
3. Essência
What is it?
A culinary love story, between a Portuguese chef who earned his spurs at Michelin-starred Costes, and his Hungarian wife/co-restaurateur. Essência is Tiago and Éva’s culinary baby, and it earned its own Michelin star in 2021.
Why go?
For a really nice and successful marriage of flavors from Hungary and Portugal on a plate, try the special tasting menu. The mangalica, a special kind of top-notch Hungarian pork, is fantastic, and so is the octopus, which is not commonly found in Budapest.
4. Mazel Tov
What is it?
A spacious glass-roof restaurant serving a moreish hybrid of Israeli-Mediterranean food and totally on-point cocktails.
Why go?
If dining in a huge open-plan courtyard peppered with plants is your thing, head to Mazel Tov. Opt for the falafel burger in a sweet potato bun or the chicken shawarma. Oh, and don’t scrimp on the selection of fresh, zingy dips and salads either – we say go for anything with beetroot and aubergine.
5. Gundel
What is it?
Hungary’s most emblematic restaurant, established by the gastronomic dynasty of the same name in the city’s Golden Age, and recently revived by a new ownership.
Why go?
You can eat where the Queen ate, and the new management calls it ‘affordable luxury,’ especially during Sunday lunch deals. Gundel is near City Park and the Zoo, so you can make a whole day of it. The prices for the main courses are reasonable, no matter which day you go.
6. Café Kor
What is it?
A popular all-day spot with impeccable service and typical Hungarian dishes.
Why go?
In the busy part of the city where fancy food places are, Café Kör is super busy during lunchtime. Many people from nearby offices come here. It’s a good idea to book a table or come around noon because they have special dishes, but they only serve them until they run out.
7. Babel Budapest
What is it?
A Michelin-starred beacon of fine dining, underscored by an Austro-Hungarian concept, right in the city centre.
Why go?
To taste the diverse foods from the old Austro-Hungarian Empire, imagine enjoying a mix of Ukrainian and Serbian dishes along with popular choices from Vienna and Budapest. Picture a series of delicious servings paired with wine at Babel, surrounded by a classy atmosphere.
8. Kőleves Vendéglő
What is it?
A justifiably popular Jewish-Hungarian restaurant, Kőleves Vendéglő sits alongside its own outdoor bar and two Synagogues in Budapest’s nightlife vortex.
Why go?
Enjoy delicious and pocket-friendly lunches every day except Sundays. Our meals are top-notch, just like our dinners. Experience a blend of traditional favorites with a modern twist, all served in a historic building from the mid-1800s.
9. Bobo Restaurant
What is it?
An elegant restaurant created out of neo-Renaissance leisure palace for the aristocracy of the late 1800s, in its own verdant grounds.
Why go?
Enjoy delicious Austro-Hungarian dishes in a historic setting where Hungarian culture and the elegance of Habsburg empress Elisabeth come alive on the dancefloor. Indulge in classic mains like Bobo’s pike-perch and duck leg confit that are both tasty and affordable. Plus, this landmark in Buda is conveniently located, not far from central Pest.
10. Két Szerecsen
What is it?
A reliably excellent restaurant in Budapest’s theatre quarter, open from breakfast to bedtime, on the same street as the city’s two most prominent photo galleries.
Why go?
The Two Moors is a great place to enjoy the traditional Hungarian food you’ve been curious about. Their beef cheek is really good, or you can choose something from their international menu. You won’t be disappointed! Két Szerecsen’s lunch menu on weekdays is a good deal for the quality of food. It’s located diagonally across from the Liszt Music Academy, near the Opera House, in case you have cultural plans for the evening.
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