42 Best Restaurants in Hungary

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.

This hip little cellar establishment, adorned with funky wall (and ceiling) art from Dalí prints to cigarette packs, is the place to have your fill of Hungary's famous rolled-up pancake, the palacsinta. You can choose from any of more than two dozen varieties, from the "Boss's Favorite" (with a filling of pork knuckle, beans, cabbage, and sour cream) to the "Spring Pancake" (sheep's cheese with dill and chives), to banana pancakes with vanilla cream. Servings are lavish and prices quite reasonable. If you order a meat- or vegetable-filled palacsinta, you might ask them to take it easy on the salt.

Have a taste of old-school Hungarian fast food and burgers at this charming little retro café that's been a staple here since 1964. The cute socialist-modern kiosk used to be an information center during the annual international expo held in the park. 

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.

An extremely cute and colorful little café where the focus is on elegant, delicately constructed cakes, along with other desserts, pies, puddings, and cookies. The sweet treats are baked daily by the owner and make for fun energy boosters for weary travelers.

For a sweet treat any time of day, this tiny, tucked-away bakery in the heart of Castle Hill serves traditional homemade Hungarian rétes (strudel) in various flavors, from apple to plum, cottage cheese to cabbage, as well as delicious gingerbread, croissants, cheese scones, cinnamon snails, and other sweet and savory delicacies.

Set inside the seemingly historic Főőrség (Guard House), though it was actually only built in 2020, this is a pleasant and convenient stop for a coffee or a light lunch while exploring the Királyi Palota (Royal Palace).

With the Italian Cultural Institute down the street, you can bet this spot knows how to make a good focaccia sandwich. The interiors are hipster-sparse and the menu humble, but like the best Italian dishes, simplicity often yields the best results. Here, it’s generous focaccias filled with quality Italian meats, cheeses, and veg—the vegetarian caprese is particularly good, as are the grilled varieties.

Szamos is a household name in Hungarian chocolate confectioners---their café here has a stunning vista of the Parliament and the picturesque tram lines that run along it. It's a great place to grab breakfast or relax with a coffee and a chocolate bite in-between sights. Try the signature Sacher, Dobos, or Eszterházy cakes. There's also a museum on the first floor featuring a history of the Szamos chocolatier.

This popular hole-in-the-wall vegan street food joint sometimes has lines all the way out onto the street, a sure sign that you should get on that line. Healthy salads and soups are on offer but it's Tökmag's burgers that have people raving and coming back. Be sure to order a side of tasty deep-fried veggie chips, too.

With its focus on goulash and rich meats, Budapest hasn't always been the most welcoming place for a vegan—but this gem is one of the places helping to change all that. A perfect, quick refueling restaurant with such good vegan and veggie burgers, hot dogs, and salads that even committed carnivores are tempted.