7 Best Restaurants in Budapest, Hungary

This bustling former butcher shop is filled with hanging plants, eclectic artwork, and trendy locals who come as much for the atmosphere as for the food. The menu changes seasonally, but expect café standards given contemporary uplifts: heaping tapas platters, Asian fusion meat-and-veg, plus a popular assortment of burgers and comforting sandwiches. Snag a table outside in the summer, or up in the gallery when it's cold out.

"Auntie Nancsi" has built a loyal following by serving up straightforward, homestyle Hungarian dishes in the rustic surroundings of a converted 17th century farmhouse. Chains of paprika and garlic dangle from the low wooden ceiling above tables set with red-and-white gingham tablecloths. Big tables of local families can be found here on summer weekends enjoying well-prepared Hungarian food. Sunday chicken soup and catfish paprika are well-loved by regulars. Try the popular túrógombóc (sweet cheese dumpling) dessert; it's the biggest and best in town. There is a garden dining area open during warmer months, when reservations are essential.

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.

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.

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.

Robinson lays claim to one of the most exotic locations in Budapest dining—it sits on wooden platforms atop an artificial lake, looking across to the delightful architectural folly of Vajdahunyad Castle. You can sit outside on the terrace during summer or enjoy the warm pastel interior in colder months. The menu includes Hungarian classics such as goulash, bécsi szelet (Wiener schnitzel), and veal paprikash, as well as a selection of pricey steaks. In business since 1989, Robinson was one of the city's premiere restaurants for well over a decade; to this day, it has maintained an excellent reputation.