72 Best Restaurants in Budapest, Hungary

This place may not look like much from the outside, particularly among the newer, trendier spots on Bartók Béla út, but it serves some of the most delicious authentic Balkan food in town. A Bulgarian known as Bárni is the proprietor, living out his dream of showcasing the chargrilled flavors of his childhood. The menu is very meat heavy, but the salads are good and there are tasty sides like peppers stuffed with feta cheese.

This is probably Hungary's most famous restaurant, an officially listed Hungarikum both for its historical significance (opened in 1894) as well as its revival in the 1990s by Hungarian-American restaurateur George Lang. Fin-de-siècle grandeur shines through in the glorious dining room, tastefully adorned with 19th- and 20th-century Hungarian paintings, and a 10-piece Romani band adds an earnest nostalgia to the place. The gorgeous setting includes an Art Nouveau bar designed by Adam Tihany. The food, sadly, is just a bit above average, though some classics such as goose liver pâté and Gundel pancakes are well executed. Nevertheless, a visit is a uniquely memorable experience.

At the swankier end of the coffeehouse spectrum, Hadik is a looker, and knows it: all bare brick walls, beamed ceilings, grand chandeliers, church door-sized windows, and a mezzanine layer of seating. At least, that's what you'll see when you enter through the corner door: a spruced up grand café dating back more than a century. But keep walking through to your right and it's all change, as the classic decor gives way to a ruin-bar-style mishmash of colorful wall paintings, quirky lighting fixtures, and random knickknacks hanging from the ceiling. It's all part of Hadik, so simply choose the atmosphere that suits your mood then order from a menu of excellent coffees, delicious "literary" cocktails (inspired by famous Hungarian authors, some of whom used to drink right here), soups, salads, burgers, and sandwiches.

HILDA prides itself on elevated Hungarian cuisine made exclusively from local, sustainable ingredients. A chic restaurant planted firmly in downtown Budapest, the interiors are beautifully done, where tasteful contemporary design blends seamlessly with old-world stained glass. The dishes are as elegant, featuring contemporary fusion takes on rich stews, smoked raw fish, and Hungary’s marbled Mangalica pork. Prices are in euros and aren't cheap (by Budapest standards, at least)---but with every morsel sourced from farmers they trust, you’re paying for both quality and a clear conscience.

This Hungarian Middle Eastern fast food chain is the city’s go-to for hummus. The first restaurant opened up in 2005 and the chain has been a local favorite since. Its laid-back vibe and upbeat chickpea-loving theme say it all. For a vegan dish, go for the crispy, light falafel. Venues are all over town, including four branches in this chapter's area alone, but Október 6 utca is the only one that serves up freshly made laffa.

With its checkered tablecloths and rustic style, this sweet and cheery restaurant has all the charms of its retro theme without the cobwebs. The traditional dishes are served with a modern flair and excellent service, making it feel like the best of both worlds. Though the menu isn't particularly extensive, the Hungarian classics like crispy duck leg and beef goulash are well prepared, using products from local farmers' markets. You can't go wrong, unless you forget to follow dinner with a pálinka. Make sure to reserve online. 

There’s always a festive groove at Iguana, the most popular expat restaurant in town, especially with Americans. Tex-Mex nachos, quesadillas, burritos, chimichangas, and jalapeño poppers are tasty and filling, and the setting feels authentic, surrounded by south-of-the-border movie posters. Order pitchers of classic or strawberry margaritas or punchy tequila and mezcal cocktails.

Founded by legendary local restaurateur Hans van Vliet, this inviting jazz bar and restaurant caters to one and all (Jedermann means "everyone"), with an atmosphere best summed up in buzzwords like hip, cool, and laid-back. The menu is nothing spectacular, but everything is wholesome and often made for sharing: think Cobb salad, goat cheese pasta, or homemade dips with fresh bread. Budapest's finest jazz musicians jam on their intimate stage several times a week, and it's best to reserve in advance on those nights—check the website for details.

Karaván is an empty building lot converted into a series of street food stalls, right next to popular ruin bar Szimpla Kert. It's often crowded and can be overpriced, but if you're looking for a fun, friendly way to sample some of Budapest's most popular street foods, this is your best bet. Choose from traditional favorites like langos and chimney cake, to burgers, Mexican snacks, and Asian dishes.

This pricey but laid-back, sepia-toned neighborhood tavern is on a hard-to-find street near the Óbuda end of the Árpád Bridge. Practically all the food here arrives in huge servings, which was just the way that Hungarian writer Gyula Krúdy (to whom the restaurant is dedicated) liked it when he was a regular customer. Dishes like the hot pot with marrowbone and toast, or lecsó (a stew with a base of onions, peppers, tomatoes, and paprika) are great comfort food on a cool day.

Long a local favorite, Két Szerecsen keeps diners happy all day long with fresh and affordable soups, salads, and daily specials. The kitchen has a light touch with cold soups, especially the cucumber, dill, and gazpacho varieties. The menu is Mediterranean-Middle Eastern-influenced, but retains various typically Hungarian dishes and tastes. The cozy orange and burgundy interior has café tables and copper lamps with vintage posters on the walls. It can get a bit smoky inside in winter, but there's outdoor seating in summer. It's open daily for breakfast.

This restaurant's large outdoor terrace in the heart of the Inner Town makes it a popular lunch stop with tourists throughout the summer, who are also tempted by the good-value midweek lunch menus (3,950 HUF for two courses or 4,450 for three). Come later in the day and you will find a full menu of delicious international dishes, including pasta, noodles, burgers, soups, and salads—as well as an unbeatable cocktail menu and (very loud) live music.

There are only a few tightly packed tables and a counter in this tiny, homestyle restaurant that draws an early lunch crowd and bustles well into the evening with downtown professionals and in-the-know travelers. The cuisine is the simple kind Hungarian grandmothers make: sour cherry soup, mushroom paprikash, and baked pork shank. Everything is tasty, reliable, and highly affordable given the quality. In the summer, alfresco tables on the cobblestone streets let diners indulge in Budapest's grand capital ambience.

Kispiac Bisztró is a tiny gem of a restaurant (its name means "little market") that specializes in huge portions of fresh roasted meat, sourced straight from nearby market halls. Delicious Mangalica pork chop, wild boar ribs, or the famed grilled duck is the way to go, along with a plate of homemade pickles. Eating here is a bit like being invited home for dinner by the local butcher. There's a lovely street-side terrace in the warmer months, and during winter no more than a couple dozen diners can fit inside at once, so reservations are a must.

Klauzál Café is a timewarp to a simpler era of Hungarian country-style cooking. In the thick of Budapest's party district, flanked by ruin bars at every side street, this quaint, old-fashioned restaurant holds an enviable position directly facing one of the area's few public parks. With its living room-styled decor, blackboard menus, and quick, friendly service, Klauzál offers a charming retreat from the neighboring rowdiness. Dishes are Hungarian standards like stews and game meats; none of them are particularly innovative, but they're simple, hearty, and wallet-friendly. Make sure to visit on a night when the live pianist or violinist play traditional Roma tunes.  

Here you’ll find French bistro classics done exceptionally well---escargot, steak frites, beef tartare---alongside Austro-Hungarian classics like Wiener schnitzel and goulash. This upscale restaurant is technically part of the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, but its separate entrance on pedestrianized Zrínyi utca allows it to feel distinctively independent, with gorgeous interiors plus a terrace offering views of the Danube and Basilica. Prices are steep for Budapest, but the quality speaks for itself.

Named after the famous Eastern European folktale Stone Soup, this popular restaurant serves flavorful Hungarian–Jewish staples elevated with modern touches. It's all served by chipper hipster waiters in a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere peppered with bric-a-brac paraphernalia. The poultry dishes (goose leg, chicken breast) are hearty and reliable, and there is always a rotating selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes on offer. Don't miss the restaurant's beer garden next door: as locals will tell you, no summer is complete without a Fröccs (wine spritzer) at Kőleves Kert.

Tucked away just off Bartók Béla út on Ménesi út, this lovely little tapas bar is run by a Hungarian-Spanish couple. Diners can choose from an array of meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes, as well as several cured meat and cheese platters to share. There's also an extensive Spanish wine menu, and service comes with a smile.

Located in a former chemical factory, Lumen Café's greenery-filled industrial setting with glass-covered ceiling, towering chimney stack, and steel frames makes for one of the city's coolest cafés, and a must-stop in the 8th District. For breakfast with a local flavor, try the Bundás kenyér, the local version of French toast, or the Hungarian Breakfast, which comes with Hungarian smoked sausage, ham, and eggs. You'll also find local craft beers and good local wine, which might inspire you to linger a little longer for some of the creative programming. The performance space, a big room in the front decked out with secondhand furniture and an old wooden half-stage, hosts regular jazz concerts, talks, and events.

The decor at this high quality Inner Town restaurant is said to be inspired by the Piarist monastery that once stood here, but with its hip industrial lighting, plushly upholstered furnishings, and sleek open kitchen, it takes quite the imagination to picture monks dining here. Instead, you're likely to find a mix of hip locals and food-loving tourists tucking into the bistro's modern takes on age-old Hungarian dishes; think rabbit tenderloin with potato dumplings, duck breast with kohlrabi pottage, and catfish fillet with clams.

This warmhearted pub (look out for the picture of the American detective, Columbo, on the sign) serves a good range of tasty Czech beers as well as ten types---count 'em---of a traditional potato pancake dish with different stuffings and toppings. Family- and dog-friendly, it's cozy rather than rowdy.

This tiny spot serves up fresh, authentic Tibetan food and embodies the city’s growing multiculturalism. Named after its founder, Tsewang Namgyal—a political refugee who also happens to be an excellent chef—dishes include cattle meat with vegetables and a variety of soups, accompanied by fresh Tibetan bread.

The young and dynamic energy in this hopping Vietnamese spot in Újlipótváros feels a million miles (or, at least, a few decades) away from some of the more traditional dining options in the area. The menu features a wide variety of pho as well as great desserts. Seating is at communal tables with backless wooden stools. Oriental Soup House has two locations, but the one on Balzac utca is a local favorite. Reserve ahead if you want to visit as it is always busy.

Meat lovers will be spoiled for choice at this dedicated steak house specializing in imported Argentine beef, where cuts difficult to find in Hungary (like rib eye and New York strip) are aged and lovingly grilled. Steaks can be ordered by weight and come with classic side dishes like jacket potatoes and creamed spinach. The mostly Hungarian wine list is affordable and well-suited to juicy beef dinners.

This kitsch, rustic Hungarian restaurant, with its wooden chairs and tables and village theme, offers a cozy place to have dinner after a long day of walking or bathing at Városliget. It's great value for money: the portions are as truly Hungarian-sized as the courses are authentic. The beefsteak with pepper sauce and almond-crusted trout fillet are evergreens and if you’re lucky they’ll have their roasted wild boar goulash on the chef’s menu that day. Try the classic peasant túrógombóc (sweet cottage cheese balls) for dessert.

The friendly staff in this cozy tapas restaurant serve authentic dishes. Pata Negra is not cheap, particularly as you may find yourself ordering rather more than you had planned (it's that good), but it makes for a quality meal out. There's another branch in Pest.

The colorful Spanish tiles on the wall, the chunky legs of ibérico jámon, and a full wall stacked with rioja tip you off to the authenticity of this tapas bar, just off Ráday utca. Pata Negra was one of the first tapas places in Budapest and it now boasts three spots around town. You can’t go wrong with its appetizers from Spain and beyond. There are all the usual suspects—bacalao (salted codfish), squid in black ink, and imported Spanish goodies like marinated anchovies and chorizo. The street-facing view is to the busy thoroughfare of Kálvin tér, but the charm of this place is its calm, warm environment and slow, Iberian pace.

The main draw of this popular French restaurant, set across the road from the French Institute in Víziváros, is the incredibly romantic summer garden, where wrought iron chairs and cloth-covered tables are bathed in the glow of fairy lights. But that's not all it has going for it: come for the ambience but stay for the delicious French fare, including bourguignon snails, ratatouille with comté, and crème brûlée, all served with a smile.

When touring the sights of Castle Hill, this elegant, long-established restaurant (once a medieval bakery) is the perfect stop for lunch or dinner. Sit in the romantic vaulted dining room or out in the wonderful, plant-filled "secret" garden to enjoy an array of delicious, beautifully presented dishes. It's mainly traditional Austro-Hungarian staples with inventive, 21st-century twists—think flavor-packed chicken paprikash with truffled nokedli (egg noodles) and sour cream foam, or moulard duck breast with pearl barley risotto—along with a good selection of local wines. Come in the evening to enjoy live piano accompaniment to your meal. Pierrot is the flagship for a group of high-quality Castle Hill restaurants, including 21 Hungarian Kitchen (directly opposite) and Baltazár Hungarian Grill (just around the corner).

Rock-bottom prices ensure a crowd most days for lunch and dinner at this well-loved neighborhood vendeglő (restaurant serving home cooking). Big bowls of jókai bableves (bean soup) are sopped up with fresh white bread, and classics like borjúpaprikás (veal paprikash) are made the way Hungarian grandmothers used to make them—with plenty of lard.