5 Best Restaurants in Pécs, Hungary

For dinner with a view, it's hard to beat the Owl Castle, an unusual pseudo-cellar restaurant that is not only aboveground but situated high up on the hill in the Tettye district of Pécs. Take a seat in the brick-vaulted interior to enjoy the carved columns, decorative furnace, and folksy bric-a-brac, or sit out on the terrace surrounded by orchards—the fruit from which is used to make the potent house pálinkas—for spectacular city views. The food is traditional Hungarian fare, from beef goulash to chicken paprikash, but uncommonly tasty and beautifully presented. Don't fancy the drive back down the hill after dinner? Then stay in one of the restaurant's five comfortable suites (unrelated to the nearby, but separately run, Bagolyvár Hotel).

This out-of-the-way bakery and cake shop, a good 20-minute walk from the center, has display cabinets crammed with mouthwatering confections, from honey cream slices to chocolate profiteroles, apple poppy cake to smoked cheese scones. Inside, it appears to be just a small take-out place, but stroll around the back to discover a lovely, sprawling terrace and garden, complete with kids' play area.

This bustling Italian restaurant and pizzeria, with a huge terrace that opens onto the bustling Jókai Square, is a perennial Pécs favorite. The menu includes some 20 kinds of pizza, all cooked in an authentic wood-burning stove, along with a huge choice of pastas, risottos, and salads. Not an Italian enthusiast? There are plenty of traditional Hungarian meat, poultry, and fish dishes, too.

It doesn't look like much from outside, but this conveniently located downtown diner has gained a loyal following for its simple but satisfying cuisine. The menu mainly comprises delicious grilled meat and fish dishes, though there are some other Balkan specialties on offer, including lepények (a pizza-like pastry stuffed with meat or cheese). Service can be gruff and unsmiling, but that's almost part of the charm.

Billing itself as a breakfast and coffee specialist, Reggeli serves a nutritious and delicious brunch menu every day from 8 am to 3 pm. Order a coffee or cold-press juice then take your pick from the lengthy, egg-heavy menu, which includes American pancakes, French toast, and English breakfasts. As you await your order, take a moment to soak up in the achingly hip interior, including the exposed brick ceiling, pressed wood-chip paneling, colorful chairs, quirky artworks, and giant tropical plants.