Historically, Budapest wasn’t really known for its restaurant scene – thanks in part to its Communist past. Nowadays, however, new and exciting places to eat are popping up all the time in Budapest. Michelin restaurants, casual restaurants, bistros – the city has it all. But which are the best places to visit?
Dining in Budapest, Hungary
The opportunities for dining out in Budapest are diverse, and besides restaurants offering authentic Hungarian cuisine, you’ll find many international restaurants as well. You’ll also be pleased to know that although in most Budapest restaurants prices are very agreeable, the meals they serve are no less delicious for it. So, you can have an amazing meal even on a tight budget!
Where to eat in Budapest
Budget
As we already mentioned, in Budapest cheap restaurants aren’t hard to come by, but if you want to make sure that your food will be both affordable and tasty, this is where to go:
- Kívánság Étkezde – if you’re looking for Budapest restaurants where locals eat, you should definitely visit this unassuming, family-run place that serves delicious, home-style Hungarian dishes.
- Buja Disznó(k) – in the mood for pork schnitzels? Then definitely visit this food stall in the historic Hold Street Market Hall in downtown Budapest.
Midrange
If you’re okay with paying a bit more, but still want to keep it wallet-friendly, we recommend these:
- Kiosk Budapest – this trendy restaurant and bar is a local favorite. Come here to enjoy both an amazing view of the Danube and a very chic interior.
- DOBRUMBA – want to sit among a trendy crowd while you enjoy some delicious Middle Eastern food? Then this is your place.
Fine dining
If you want to treat your taste buds to a bit of luxury, these are the places you should visit:
- Onyx – the only restaurant in Budapest with two Michelin stars. Come here for a classic European fine dining experience.
- Costes Restaurant – this was the first Hungarian restaurant to receive a Michelin star, and even though Budapest now has six Michelin restaurants, Costes still stands out among them.
Best Hungarian restaurants in Budapest
Interested in trying some of those hearty meat dishes that Hungarian cuisine is famous for? Then definitely don’t let these restaurants escape your attention:
- Rosenstein Restaurant – a family-run business serving some of the best traditional Hungarian, and Hungarian-Jewish food in Budapest. It’s located a bit outside the center of Budapest, so if you’re wandering through a quieter neighborhood and thinking to yourself, ‘I bet there are no good Hungarian restaurants near me at the moment’, think twice – this is only one of the hidden gems strewn all around the city.
- Gettó Gulyás – looking for a trendy place serving Hungarian cuisine? Then visit Gettó Gulyás.
- Café Kör – this downtown restaurant offers authentic Hungarian dishes without any modern twists, as well as a trip back in time to pre-war Budapest thanks to its carpeted floor and Thonet Bentwood chairs.
Dinner in Budapest
Want to have a relaxed evening get-together with a group of friends? Or perhaps you’re thinking of asking someone out on a date? Whichever it is, these are some of the best places to have dinner at in Budapest:
- Mazel Tov – one of the trendiest restaurants in Budapest’s Jewish Quarter. Come here for Middle Eastern cuisine, cocktails, and a carefully put together industrial-chic interior.
- Baraka – a fine dining restaurant serving French-Asian gourmet cuisine. It features an open kitchen, so along with delicious food, you’ll also get a fantastic gastronomic show.
- Caviar & Bull – this restaurant offers sophisticated Mediterranean cuisine and is famous for its unique and flavorful dishes.
