Where to Get Affordable Daily Menus in Budapest?

Like any European metropolis, Budapest is full of excellent restaurants with food from all over the world. Still, many of them are either far away from the centre, or their prices make them more of a place for a special occasion. That’s why we put together this list of affordable restaurants where you can go and have your daily lunch. Bon appetite!

The Most bistro is handily situated in the centre of the city, near the Opera metro station. It’s great for when you work nearby or visit sites like the parliament building by the river or Szent István basilica. The bistro offers all items on its menu for the same price between 11:30 am and 4 pm, making it an excellent place for lunches. Their dishes are very diverse, covering everything from burgers, traditional Hungarian cuisine to Indian food and more. Plus, they change their menu almost every day, so you can be sure you’ll always have something interesting to try.

Jelen bistro is on the outskirts of the trendy Jewish district, often recommended for its nightlife, lively cafés and, of course, restaurants. And though Jelen bistro is not in the neighbourhood itself, it still brings the most important thing to the table – an excellent menu for a very reasonable price. Jelen bistro offers a three-course meal of soup, main dish, and dessert for just €5 (though some of the main dishes may be priced a bit higher). The space is very intimately lit but still feels fresh and modern while keeping a slightly old-fashioned look. If you’re in the area, make sure to stop by.

Kőleves is right in the heart of the Jewish district, on Kazinczy street, making it a convenient place for a quick bite while admiring this fascinating part of Budapest. Their menus change every day and focus on traditional Hungarian dishes that more resemble the home cooking of older generations than the offerings of famous Hungarian dishes that most tourist-oriented restaurants do. Their menu is two-course, with a soup and a main dish, and you can choose if you want to have a main dish with meat or veggies. The price is around €5, but you will pay even less if you choose the vegetarian option. They also cook gluten and milk free dishes, so this place is an excellent choice for anyone.

This restaurant, situated near the Central Market Hall of Budapest, will immediately catch your attention with its interior. Antique clutter shelves and the ceiling together with bold colours, create a dazzling collage. As for the food, expect roasted sausages, chicken breasts, and a wide variety of fish with a few vegans and vegetarian options thrown in for good measure. You can also stick around for later and experience their “bar theatre”, where each drink is named after a line from a play. This lively restaurant will be one of the unique places in Budapest you have ever visited.

Situated on the same street as Púder, Café Intenzo is going for a completely different atmosphere. Their rustic interior and lovely outside seating area is not there to dazzle but to calm and please. Intenzo has both international and traditional Hungarian dishes on offer, with two different types of menus: daily and business. The daily menu is a bit cheaper, about €4,5 and includes a soup, main dish, and a surprise, while the business menu always consists of a dessert and costs around €7. Once you’re done eating, make sure you taste their delicious coffee prepared by professional baristas and relax while watching people go about their daily lives.