Dining
A gastronomic revolution has taken over Hungary in the past few years. New restaurants, bistros, and street food places have been opening on almost every corner of its capital city. Whether they want to have a multi-course meal while tasting the best wines of the country or prefer to grab a bite in a more casual place, visitors to Hungary will definitely find something for themselves in the large selection of venues for dining. From exquisite wine bars to unique and creative cooking courses and gastronomy festivals, the country offers an exciting spectrum to everyone who loves to eat.
Hungarian Tourism AgencyOnyx
Onyx, boasting two Michelin stars and being the first in Budapest to achieve this distinction, provides an exquisite dining experience. The restaurant offers gourmet cuisine and tasting menus with expertly paired wines. Signature dishes like rooster consommé, duck ravioli, and flódni, a Hungarian dessert filled with poppy seeds and walnuts, showcase the culinary excellence. The regal dining room, adorned with Regency chairs, complements the exemplary food, service, and overall dining environment at Onyx.
yereum kim/Shutterstock.comGundel
Located in the vibrant scenery of the City Park, Gundel is an elegant restaurant dedicated to Hungarian cuisine. It started as a father-and-son establishment in the hands of Bavarian chef Károly Gundel in the late 19th century. Its menu features traditional Hungarian flavors with a modern and international twist, served through à la carte as well as tasting menus, including mangalica pork, goose liver, and the famous Gundel pancake.
Melinda Gyorgy/Shutterstock.comDéryné
Déryné is Buda's symbolic restaurant, heavily frequented by locals living west of the Danube. It opened in the 1910s and served several well-known artists at the time, but it welcomes today's visitors with the same quality and hospitality. It offers Hungarian and French-style dishes along with homemade bakery products that are the subject of acclaim in the entire city.
Graphical_Bank/Shutterstock.comMenza
Menza is Hungarian for canteen, and indeed this restaurant serves the very staples of Hungarian cuisine, in an elegant but very friendly atmosphere. The menu includes goulash, garlic soup, trout, veal stew, and apple strudel, just to name a few.
Losonsky/Shutterstock.comCostes Downtown
The second venue of the Costes team serving fine courses inspired by local and international cuisine, all made of unique ingredients from quail to mangalica. An elegant, bistro-style restaurant that was awarded a Michelin star shortly after its opening.
All Is Amazing/Shutterstock.comFakanál
Housed in the busy Great Market Hall, Fakanál is a traditional restaurant serving Hungarian meals in an authentic setting accompanied by live gipsy music. A vibrant atmosphere is guaranteed here, either because of the events they host, or the pálinka shots that are always in high demand (and a must for every visitor).
Dande_lion_studio/Shutterstock.comBorkonyha
Borkonyha is a mix of a contemporary family restaurant and a French bistro, though the chef Ákos Sárközi often includes Spanish and Italian specialities on the menu as well. A huge part of their concept is their extensive wine list, which includes 200 different wines, most of them Hungarian. This was the third Hungarian restaurant to win a Michelin star, so quality is high.
Hungarian Tourism AgencySpinoza Café & Restaurant
Spinoza is a low-key restaurant in the Jewish quarter offering a blend of traditional Jewish and Hungarian cuisine, nicely complemented by live piano music every night.
Jana Kollarova/Shutterstock.comRetro Lángos
With its central location and vast topping selection, this little stall is probably the best place in Budapest to try Hungary's favorite street food. Lángos is a deep-fried flatbread that is best served with cheese and sour cream on top, but sausage-filled versions are also available — humbly called nuclear attack.
Ildi Papp/Shutterstock.comKék Rózsa
A traditional restaurant in the heart of the Jewish quarter with a simple design and rich Hungarian flavors, at highly affordable prices.
Sharomka/Shutterstock.comLecsó
A decent budget-friendly restaurant serving buffet lunch during the day, Lecsó is always busy with locals looking for traditional and home-cooked flavours. The menu includes a variety of Hungarian specialities such as stews, egg soup, Schnitzel, Hungarian ratatouille, and meat-filled pancakes (hortobágyi palacsinta). For one-time visitors, Lecsó provides a chance to experience authentic Hungarian cuisine in a welcoming and bustling setting.
Ildi Papp/Shutterstock.comLeves.
'Leves' is Hungarian for soup, and it will not be long before you realize how it is an integral part of Hungarian lunch rituals. This small takeaway soup shop offers hearty cups of traditional as well as exotic flavours of a wide range, perfect for a quick lunch in the heart of the city. Be sure to check back every day for different flavours.
Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.comAl Dente
Al Dente is a hidden gem among Budapest's neighborhood restaurants. It specializes in authentic Italian cuisine, featuring delightful dishes like bruschetta, calzone, lasagne, gnocchi, and notably, some of the city's finest pizza. The menu concludes on a sweet note with options like tiramisu, panna cotta, or cannoli. Nestled on a quiet and beautiful street, Al Dente offers a very atmospheric dining experience, making it a cherished find for those seeking genuine Italian flavors in Budapest.
Monika Wisniewska/Shutterstock.comFecske Presszó
Fecske Presszó is a casual and budget-friendly restaurant and bar popular among local students. The menu features dishes inspired by Hungarian and international cuisine, with highlights such as sausage ratatouille and stuffed potato pies. Fecske offers both outdoor terrace seating under a leafy canopy and quaint underground nooks.
Jack Frog/Shutterstock.com