A quick, but tasty lunch during sightseeing? A romantic dinner? A good Indian, Italian or Japanese buffet? Vegetarian options? I have answers for all your questions when it comes to where to dine in Budapest. Born and raised in this lovely city, I have eaten my way through the culinary scene of Budapest and picked the best restaurants for you!
The loveliest cafes for breakfasts
PEST SIDE
Zoska
A budget friendly option with great portions. Sandwiches, smoothies, egg dishes including Hungarians’ favorite bundáskenyér (a kind of French toast, but not so sweet), oatmeal, American pancake.
a table
A chain with multiple locations in the city offers both quick bites (pastries, including French classics as éclairs or mille-feuilles) and egg dishes or toasts if you want to have a nice sit-down breakfast. Quiches and croissant sandwiches are available whole day.
BUDA SIDE
KicsiZsó
A very friendly cafe in Buda side with a great selection of all-day breakfasts and some warm dishes at lunchtime.
Rojt és Bojt
A cafe run by a very symphatetic couple with great coffee and tons of love – also on Buda side, not far from the Alagút (tunnel). Egg dishes, fresh croissants, etc. Cute dog and piano.
Villa Bagatelle
There is a bakery on the ground floor of this beautifully renovated villa, while you can have a leisurely breakfast or brunch on the first floor. They have something for everyone, from scrambled eggs to Champagne breakfasts, not to mention various desserts and healthy alternative options.
Törökméz
Small, but nice and tidy, and utmost friendly little cafe with all-day breakfast. Also has a tiny terrace, which is heated in the winter. This place is a deli as well with good quality bread, cheese, tea, chocolate selection.
Where do I go for cakes?
PEST SIDE
Auguszt cukrászda
A cake shop with 150 year old history, owned by the same family. They have four locations in town.
Dynamo Bake
Bike rental and yummy cakes – two in one! Close to Kálvin tér, a cute little place.
BUDA SIDE
Asztalka
Great selection of cakes, very high quality. It’s a bit expensive compared to other ‘cukraszda’s (cake shops) in Budapest, but trust me, it’s worth it. Old furniture, nice service, feels like home. On the Buda side of Erzsebet (Elisabeth) bridge.
If you want to linger longer over a coffee….
PEST SIDE
Cafe Zsivago
Food is very limited, but the athmosphere is very nice with lots of little private nooks
Massolit Books and Café
Primarily a second-hand bookstore, but also a chilled place to have coffee. Young people staring at their computer screens with nice smelling coffee and a cute little garden at the backyard – a secret oasis in a busy town. In the Jewish/party district.
Cafe Jedermann
Not so much a place to eat, but rather just a place to meet friends, have a drink and listen to the occassional music (mostly Fridays and Saturdays). They have some pastries and egg dishes until noon.
BUDA SIDE
Kelet Kávézó és Galéria
Large selection of books, magazines, periodicals, and newspapers – you can swap your book you finished into another one. Very friendly and cozy athmosphere. In addition to the usual speciality coffee, they have filter and Turkish coffee as well. They also have soups, salads, breakfasts and small snacks.
Where to eat the famous goulash?
Gettó Gulyás
This is your primary choice to grab the iconic goulash soup, but also great for quick lunch on weekdays. On menu are typical Hungarian dishes but with a modern feeling. The service is friendly and efficient and prices are reasonable even for the a-la-carte menu. After your goulash, try the cottage cheese dumplings (túrógombóc). Close to the great Synagogue.
Best fine dining dinners in Budapest
Rosenstein
This extremely homey place is tucked away from all the hustle and bustle of the city center right by Keleti train station, offering quiet and relaxed atmosphere. Despite the bit dodgy and hard-to-find location, it offers excellent Hungarian-Jewish kitchen with the friendliest service in town. Operated by the lovely Rosenstein family, this place is often frequented by foreign actors and other celebrities, such as Robert de Niro or Steven Spielberg. Don’t ask me, how they found this place – must be the word or mouth in Hollywood! Besides Tibor Rosenstein, the original owner, his son, Robert runs the kithcen. While the father is responsible for the traditional dishes, his son adds some modern twists and he also came out with the excellent kosher coffee roasts and craft beers. Try the matzo ball soup, the chicken paprikash and the flodni (a nut and poppy seed dessert of the Ashkenazic Jewish cuisin)
Borkonyha
If you ever believed that all Michelin star restaurants were pretentious – try this one! Budapest has seven Michelin-awarded restaurants currently, but this one is my favorite. An easy-going, friendly place serving the beutifully presented, colorful, exquisite creations of my favorite chef, Akos Sarkozi. Wonderful local Hungarian wine selection, you can trust your waiters with the pairng, they know their job. Great location – close to Deak ter – and in the summer there is also outside seating.
Best restaurants to try traditional Hungarian food (and the “palinka”, our national fruit spirit)
Tüköry étterem
If you want to eat very traditional Hungarian dishes at affordable prices in downtown location, head to Tüköry. My favorite selection here is the Marschall liver, the stews and the pancakes. Homely, warm, checked tablecloths, efficient waiters. Do no expect anything fancy, the place looks like it was forgotten here from the 70s., but it will fill your stomach with goulash and other Hungarian classic dishes. Also, one of the few places which is open on Sundays as well.
Kéhli
Most restaurants in town with gipsy music are very touristy and usually have crap food. This is the exception. You if you insist on your live gipsy music, make your way to this hidden corner of Buda for signature Hungarian dishes and charming, local feel. Some dishes I recommend: stuffed cabbage, catfish paprikash, Gundel pancake (a thin crepe filled with ground and sweetened walnuts, dunked in chocolate cream and served in flames for visual pleasure). Take bus no 9 from Nyugati palyaudvar (Western railway station) to Kiscelli utca (8 stops).
Király 100 Restaurant
As the name suggest, this establishment is on Kiraly street, but a bit outside downtown. They have on their menu all the classics, such as the dumpling soup, goulash, and stuffed cabbage made from Managlica pork. They also specialize in duck and goose dishes. The main season of goose dishes in autumn, in November, when we have St Martin’s day festivities. Note that during this time bookings are essentail in all restaurants carrying goose.
Menza
In the heart of a very touristy square, surrounded by restaurants frequented by foreign visitors only, Menza is a consistent favorite among Hungarian clients as well. They have a wide range of food from goulash to burger, from fish to pasta dishes. Make sure you finish your meal with their excellent desserts, such as the chestnut créme brulée.
Ethnic food
Byblos
The best Lebanese restaurant with lovely dishes to share and excellent mains. It is run by two brothers, Osama and Mohamad Kutaini. My favorite is the pan fried chicken liver with pomegranate and in general, I prefer the mezze over the mains.
Arriba Taqueria
Reliable Mexican chain – locations: close to Octogon and Szell Kalman ter, both on tram line 4/6.
Bontxo
My favorite tapas bar close to the Pest side of Margit bridge.
Caffe’ Gian Mario
The most authentic Italian bar with friendly Italian owner. Very busy at lunchtime.
Wafu Ramen
Authentic Japanese with great ramen and other dishes in the party/Jewish district.
Vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Budapest
Napfényes
By far the largest selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes in Budapest, in the 5th district, just steps from Ferenciek tere subway stops.
Govinda
It is in a basement, but quality is good and consistent for ages. It is located in a small street close to the Pest side of Chain bridge.
Street food
Bors Gasztrobár
The highest quality soup + sandwich bar in town, in Kazinczy street.
Belvárosi Disznótoros
Only for serious meat-eaters! This bistro is very popular with office workers at lunchtime who form a line to have their daily fix of sausages, duck-leg and schnitzel. They are served with mustard, pickled vegetables and a few slices of bread. No seating.
Coffee heavens
My Little Melbourne
Tamp&Pull
Fekete
Espresso Embassy
Madal
Mantra Specialty Coffee Minibar
Lumen
Cafe Memories
Best bakeries in Budapest (none of these use any preservaties)
Jacques Liszt – Misi a pék
Opposite the Marriott. No seating and poor coffee, but a great place to pick up croissant, rolls, bread.
Aran Bakery
High qulity, long-fermented sourdough bread and great pasty products with quality ingredients. The couple running this place used to live for a decade in Ireland – “aran” means “bread” in Irish. This bakery offers international favorites, so if you are looking for Hungarian pastries, you should visit the other recommended places.
Pékműhely
Great variety of bread with interesting flavors. You can find whole wheat and rye breads, often with fruits or nuts.
Artizán Bakery
In the middle of the financial district, a very popular spot for sourdough bread, cardamom bun, chocolate pastry roll. Expect long queue of office workers at lunchtime picking up sandwiches, so try to arrive before noon.
Három Tarka Macska
Nice little bakery in Újlipótváros and one of the best places to try the two favorite pastries in Hungary: the “túrós batyu” (a sweet cottage cheese-filled laminated pastry) and the “kakaós csiga” (a snail-shaped chocolate pastry roll).
Best skybars in Budapest
White Raven
In my opinion, this skybar boasts the best view of Budapest. It is a unique, modern rooftop bar on the top of Hilton hotel, in the Castle district.
LEO
On the top of Clark Hotel, right on the Buda side of the Chain Bridge
High Note Sky Bar
On the to floor of the five-star Aria boutique hotel
Speciality places
Hokedli
Tiny shop with one table only serving pottages, close to Oktogon. Very healthy quick lunch (no gluten, no sugar, no dairy)
Szalonspicc
This is the location where you must go for a relaxed evening with wine if you near the Lovohaz street area. There is outdoor seating wheather permitting.
Bambi presszó
Do you want to feel the true atmosphere of the 60s? Head to Bambi, where the decor has still the old socialist feel – so are the selection and the service (no, customers are not first here!). What makes Bambi special that it is not an afterthought, i.e. it was not designed to make look like retro – it is a genuine, i.e. it is on the same spot since 1961. Try the cheese, mushroom and cheese toasts which are crispy outside while bread is soft and have a coffee in a polka dot cup. The clientele is a strange mix of elderly locals and hip millenials.
Szimpla Kert
The original and most popular ruin bar in Budapest. It transforms into a lively farmers’ market on Sunday mornings, where gastrobloggers cook the lunch and proceeds go to charity. „Ruinpubs” opened one after another since 2001 in tenement houses and factory buildings doomed to destruction. These were equipped with rejected furniture of old community centres,
cinemas, and grandmothers’ flats, bringing a retro feeling into these places. They were soon called ruinpubs and became popular very fast among the youth of Budapest. The first and still most
popular is Szimpla, at Kazincy street 14. In 2012, it was voted as number three on the list of great bars in the world by Lonely Planet.
Try the Hungarian specialities
Retró Büfé
At Arany Janos subway stop, a non-stop langos place. Lángos is a dough made of water or milk and flour, with a dash of sugar and salt and fried in oil. It is eaten fresh and warm, topped with sour cream and grated cheese. To sm it up: delicious, crispy and fluffy – and unhealthy:-)
Molnár
If you want to try the typical Hungarian sweet, the chimney cake (Kürtöskalács), this is the highest quality despite the touristy location (Vaci utca). It is always made to order. Kürtőskalács is made from sweet, yeast dough (raised dough), of which a strip is spun and then wrapped around a truncated cone–shaped baking spit, and rolled in granulated sugar. It is baked above charcoal cinders while lubricated with melted butter, until its surface gets a golden-brown color. During the baking process the sugar stuck on kürtőskalács becomes caramel and forms shiny, crispy crust on the cake. The surface of cake can then be provided with additional toppings such as ground walnut or cinnamon powder.
Túró Rudi is the name of a chocolate bar popular in Hungary since 1968. The bar is composed of a thin outer coating of chocolate and an inner filling of túró (curd). The “Rudi” in the product
name comes from the Hungarian “rúd”, which translates to rod or bar (and is also a nickname for the name Rudolf). Túró Rudi can be made in different flavors and sizes. The basic (plain, “natúr”)
bar is by far the most popular amongst Hungarians. You can buy it in any foodstore. The best brand is the one which packed in white paper with red dots.