99 Best Restaurants in Hungary

This is a special spot for high-end Hungarian cuisine, with huge windows to showcase the beautiful views of the trees and city unfolding below. From the outside, it looks a little uninspiring, but the inside is decidedly polished (despite the fake tree) and the food is superb: try the paprika veal stew or the slow-baked duck leg, followed by the “Somlói” sponge cake. There are also soups, pastas, and burgers on the menu, including a deluxe burger with duck liver. The restaurant is a bit out of the way—a 10-minute walk southwest of the Citadella (away from the river) or 15-minute walk northwest of Bartók Béla út—but it's worth the trip.

At this cozy two-room restaurant with turn-of-the-century charm, you'll want to ditch your entourage, as tables don’t fit more than four comfortably. Classic, homestyle, and refined Hungarian dishes are reliably served with a range of fish, pork, and beef options. Specialties like wild boar goulash and roasted pike perch are regularly on offer. A handwritten list of the day’s menu is written in marker on a flip chart sheet in Hungarian, but menus are available in English, too. Prepare for old-fashioned service accompanied by fine Hungarian wine.

This trendy café in the heart of Liszt Ferenc tér is popular for coffee in the afternoon and cocktails in the evening. There's a good range of dining options, from warm sandwiches to Hungarian dishes, and a plentiful array of cakes and boutique teas. The mascarpone cheesecake is a killer. Café Vian has sister locations in Gozsdu Udvar and near Szent István Bazilika.

Set on the ground floor of the historic Storno House on Sopron’s delightful cobblestone main square, Corvinus combines a café, pub, pizzeria, and restaurant all in one. Among the traditional Hungarian specialties are breaded pike-perch with parsley potatoes and roast venison goulash with mushrooms, but the most popular items on the menu are the pizzas. Service is formal yet friendly, whether you dine inside under vaulted ceilings or at an outdoor table.

This cute little local-feeling café, just off Batthyány tér, serves up good coffee and great baked treats. A friendly team, who all speak good English, is another plus, as are the street-side tables to watch the world go by in warm weather.

This adorable outdoor-only café and wine bar is set by the entrance to the lovely Károlyi-kert park, known for its colorful flower beds and manicured lawns. A pleasant spot for breakfast, a light lunch, or evening drinks in the glow of lanterns, Csendes Társ is open from April to mid-October only. Be sure to check out its cool sister ruin-bar, Csendes Létterem, just around the corner.

Stone walls and floors, Mediterranean white and blue paint, and a lively terrace will transport you to Santorini. While a little pricey, this authentic restaurant offers high-quality Greek food and service, as well as a welcome palate break from typical Hungarian fare (so welcome, in fact, that there's often a queue outside). If you're not sure what to order, try the two-person Dionysos plate, which comes with a little of everything, including chargrilled pork tenderloins, ribs, gyros, tzatziki, pilaf, and fresh vegetables. There are also plenty of good fish, seafood, and vegetarian options. Save space for some fabulous Greek ice cream desserts.

This charming restaurant just around the corner from all the hustle and bustle of Budapest's Jewish District offers a mouthwatering spread of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes---everything from patatas bravas to fattoush and shawarma---plus a lively, relaxing atmosphere to go with it. There are a lot of vegan and vegetarian options, as well as a nice selection of wine. Service is slow, but enjoy a leisurely, unrushed meal. It's incredibly popular with locals, expats, and tourists, so make a reservation in advance.

In a country that isn't always easy to navigate with strict dietary requirements, this canteen-style bistro caters to several of them. Not only is every dish on the menu entirely vegan, from the leafy salads and fresh pastas to the thick soups and hearty stews, but many are also sugar-free, fat-free, gluten-free, and preservative-free. In the warmer months, sit out on the terrace to watch the world go by. It's only open from 10 am to 7 pm (5 pm on Sunday), so a better option for lunch than breakfast or dinner.

This attractive place is a great stop for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner or just a takeaway coffee and ice cream. Enjoy an international menu of soups, salads, pizzas, panini, and burgers (along with a few local specialties) in the simple Scandi-style interior, or else sit outside on the pleasant street terrace. El Gusto also has an outlet Sopron Plaza, on the northern edge of town, as well as a handful of swanky apartments to rent right by El Gusto Gourmet.

Situated on Óváros tér (Old Town Square) at the foot of Castle Hill, this charming little bistro offers an extensive menu of Italian favorites, including pizzas, pastas, and risottos, alongside some distinctly Hungarian grilled and fried meat dishes. If you come at lunchtime, you'll also find a great value daily menu, with main courses typically priced below 2,000 HUF. The interior is cozy and charming, with arched ceilings and, oddly, a built-in aquarium of tropical fish. In nice weather you can sit outdoors on the lovely terrace.

For a quick, cheap, vegan fix, it's hard to beat this fast food burger place on Királyi Pál utca. Order from a screen and your food will be with you in a jiffy; you can sit inside or take it to go. As well as a good choice of burger fillings, there are also vegan tortillas and salads.

With an expansive terrace on swanky Fashion Street, as well as an appealing interior connected to the Kempinski hotel, this bistro is a popular choice for lunch and dinner. Steak is the specialty here, with excellent cuts of Austrian Alpine, Angus, and Wagyu beef—regulars can even get a personalized steak knife, which is displayed in a glass cabinet between meals—but there are plenty of other options too, from salads to soups, grilled duck liver to pan-seared salmon. Vegetarian and (especially) vegan options are limited, but the beetroot burger is a popular choice; the goat cheese is optional. For dessert, order the decadent "ÉS triple chocolate brownie," served with chocolate-caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream.

The humble decor hasn't changed much since this cheap and cheerful spot first opened in 1997, and neither has the menu. Basically, you'll find Hungarian classics and lots of pickled or fried food. Try the Rántott gombafej (fried mushrooms), Spenót főzelék (spinach pottage), and, for a main course, any of the fried and breaded meats. Save room for dessert, because you can't go wrong with the Mákos guba (poppy-seed pudding) or palacsinta (Hungarian crepes). It's solid fare, but if you see a line formed outside, you might want to reconsider.

An aura of calm permeates this excellent, long-standing Japanese restaurant in the affluent Rószadomb district of Upper Buda. Sushi and sashimi are expertly prepared, as are other Japanese specialties such as teriyaki tenderloin with sesame. There's even a separate dining room where you can eat at low tables, in traditional Japanese style. Comfortable club chairs and big windows make you feel miles away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Pest. 

The wicker chairs and café tables of this elegant brasserie, on a quiet and leafy square tucked behind Váci utca, are reminiscent of a scene out of a French movie; the summer terrace is about the prettiest location for lunch in Budapest. At other times of year, visitors can still enjoy seasonal Hungarian favorites like sült libacomb (crispy goose leg) in winter and asparagus soup in the spring, in the Parisian bistro-style interior.

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.

The festive Fish Garden has won numerous international awards for its fine Hungarian cuisine. The extensive menu has such fresh-from-the-lake dishes as catfish stew with topfenfleckerl (curd noodles) and pike-perch with wine sauce and tagliatelle. Inside are wooden rafters and tables draped with peachy-pink tablecloths; outside is a large terrace with umbrella-shaded tables. There’s live music several nights a week, as well as regular wine and brandy tasting events. The restaurant is attached to a 45-room hotel, though there are better accommodation options in town.

For substantial German-style cuisine and frothy beer, head for the popular HBH Bavarian Brewery, which has a great location just off Dobó István tér. The menu comprises traditional Hungarian and German fare, along with American-style bar snacks like chicken wings and onion rings. Any of these will go down smoothly with a glass of Bull's Blood—or perhaps a Munich Hofbräuhaus, the beer that gives the restaurant its initials.

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.

A short walk from the Inner Town, this charming restaurant is a perennial favorite for its cozy, rustic interior of wooden-beamed ceilings, cast iron light fittings, and checkered tablecloths, as well as for its "guzzle guts" menu of homemade Hungarian specialties, often with an inventive twist. In warm weather, you can also sit outside in the lovely, leafy courtyard. The portions here are enormous, so don't be shy about asking them to pack up leftovers to take away—everyone does it.

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.