Where to eat in Budapest – what to try

Budapest is a destination within reach for Romanians due to its proximity, but also a true culinary paradise that will surprise you at every step. The city delights you with a varied cuisine, full of influences from different cultures, making every meal a special experience.

From sophisticated Michelin-starred Michelin-starred restaurants to neighborhood eateries and street stalls serving authentic dishes full of flavor, Budapest has something for every taste. Imagine exploring a cosmopolitan city with impressive architecture while savoring the most delicious cuisine. And the best part? If you’re wondering where to eat in Budapest, we’re on hand to recommend the best places for an unforgettable experience.

• Where to eat in Budapest – traditional dishes and where to find them
• Restaurants Budapest – where to eat

Where to eat in Budapest – traditional dishes and where to find them

In the following, we will introduce you to some of the most popular traditional Hungarian dishes and where to eat them in Budapest.

Goulash

What could be better after a stroll through the Old Center of Budapest than a steaming bowl of delicious goulash? This world-famous dish is more than just beef soup and often takes on the consistency of a savory stew, where the intense flavor of the meat blends perfectly with the taste of fresh vegetables and sweet paprika.

Every place in Budapest offers its own interpretation of the recipe, but if you want to enjoy an authentic traditional version, we recommend restaurants like Szaletly, Bestia or Fakanál. All are conveniently located in the central area, close to the most important museums, so you’ll be able to perfectly combine cultural exploration with culinary delights.

Lángos

A stay in Budapest wouldn’t be complete without savoring their famous traditional pie, lángos. Although seemingly simple, this street delicacy will win you over with its fluffy texture and unique flavor combinations. Made from a leavened dough and fried until golden brown, lángos is served with a variety of toppings that make it irresistible.

The most popular version is savory, with a generous layer of grated cheese and creamy sour cream, often topped with a dash of garlic sauce for added flavor. For those with a sweet tooth, you’ll also find mouth-watering versions with jam or chocolate cream that turn this snack into the perfect dessert.

If you want to try an authentic lángos, visit Zrny and Langosom.

Kürtőskalács

Kürtőskalács is the dessert that conquers everyone. With its soft, pastry-like dough, this delicacy is distinguished by its unique cylindrical shape and traditional preparation process, which gives it an unmistakable taste and texture.

After being baked on the hearth or in the jar, the kürtőskalács is generously dusted with sugar and cinnamon, the flavor is simply irresistible. But the variety doesn’t stop there – you can find modern versions with chocolate, walnut, coconut glazes or even filled with ice cream, perfect for warmer days.

This dessert is freshly made at numerous kiosks in the city, where you can enjoy the spectacle of baking and the flavor of a freshly baked kürtőskalács. If you want an authentic experience, we recommend exploring the Central Market area, where you’ll find the best versions of this iconic dessert, and Molnár’s Kürtőskalács, one of the most popular places to eat this traditional dessert in Budapest.

Dobos cake

This exquisite dessert, a symbol of Hungarian culinary art, is a must in cafes and bakeries all over the country and a favorite choice for anniversaries, weddings and special occasions. The Dobos cake impresses with 7 perfectly balanced layers of fluffy pastry, each topped with a chocolate cream and caramelized nuts. The pièce de résistance is the caramel-frosted top layer, which offers an irresistible contrast of textures.

The dessert is said to have been created by famous pastry chef Jozsef C. Dobos and was first served in 1885 in Budapest in honor of King Franz Joseph I and Queen Elisabeth.

If you want to experience this dessert in a place with tradition, we recommend a visit to the famous Café Gerbeaud, where the original recipe and elegant atmosphere will give you a real insight into the history and culture of Budapest.

Halászlé

A truly iconic dish in Hungarian cuisine is halászlé, the famous fish soup. Surprising as it may seem, fish is not a popular choice on the everyday Hungarian menu. However, this soup is considered a festive delicacy, carefully prepared on special occasions such as Christmas or other national holidays.

Being a landlocked country, the fish come from rivers and lakes, which is why the main ingredient is carp. Halászlé is distinguished by its intense flavor, which is achieved thanks to the generous addition of sweet and spicy paprika, an emblematic spice of Hungarian cuisine.

One restaurant in Budapest serving this dish is Bagolyvár.

Chicken paprikash

Chicken paprikash is one of the most emblematic dishes of Hungarian gastronomy. This dish highlights the basic ingredient of Hungarian cuisine – paprika – which gives the dish both its intense color and unmistakable flavor.

Paprikash is often served with fluffy flour dumplings (nokedli), which perfectly complement the creamy texture of the sauce. For an authentic experience, we recommend trying it in Budapest’s restaurants: Regős Vendéglő, Barack & Szilva, or Magyar QTR.

Nokedli – “Hungarian “Gnocchi

Nokedli, often called Hungarian gnocchi, are a traditional side dish not to be missed in Hungarian meals. Although not a main dish, these small dumplings made from simple dough are versatile and complement dishes with rich sauces.

If you want to try them, you’ll find them served as a side dish in traditional Budapest restaurants such as Regős Vendéglő or Barack & Szilva.

Hortobágyi Palacsinta

Hortobágyi Palacsinta is an authentic Hungarian dish that turns simple pancakes into a culinary feast. They are stuffed with a savory mixture of minced meat, well seasoned with typical Hungarian flavors such as sweet paprika. After being carefully rolled, the pancakes are baked in the oven and served topped with a generous layer of creamy cream sauce.

This dish is a popular choice in Budapest restaurants and is recommended by locals and tourists alike.

Pörkölt

Pörkölt is another traditional Hungarian dish, a rich and flavorful stew. Made from pork or beef, it is slow-cooked with fresh vegetables in a savory onion and tomato sauce.

This hearty stew is often served with fluffy dumplings (nokedli), which perfectly complement the texture and rich flavor of the dish.

👉 Plan a long weekend in Budapest, where tons of unmissable activities await you! To explore the city hassle-free, we suggest renting a car. This way, you will quickly and comfortably reach all the attractions on your itinerary.

Restaurants Budapest – where to eat

If we’ve introduced you to the most popular Hungarian dishes, now we’ll give you a list of restaurants where to eat in Budapest:

Klauzal Restaurant – culinary tradition and diversity

If you’re in the center of Budapest and looking for a tasty meal, Klauzal Restaurant is an excellent choice. It combines traditional Hungarian dishes with international recipes, offering a diverse menu to suit all tastes. The warm atmosphere and central location make it the perfect place to eat in Budapest during a break while exploring the city.

Karavan – street food

If you like street food, Karavan is the place to be in Budapest. This space is home to a variety of food trucks, each with dishes that will delight your taste buds. From juicy burgers and Hungarian pizza, to tacos, cocktails and the famous kürtőskalács, Karavan has something for everyone. The atmosphere is relaxed, perfect for a cozy evening meal.

Gerbeaud Café – elegance with the scent of history

A visit to the Gerbeaud Café is like traveling back in time. Open since the 1900s, this iconic café impresses with its rococo decor, high ceilings and sophisticated atmosphere.

It’s the ideal place to savor exquisite cakes, though the prices match the elegance. Recommendations include traditional desserts and the location itself is a unique experience. To avoid the crowds, plan an off-peak visit.

Kiosk Budapest

Another place to eat in Budapest is Kiosk Budapest. With a contemporary design and a relaxed atmosphere, this restaurant-cocktail bar is the ideal place for a business lunch or an evening out with friends. The menu includes delights such as mini burgers, truffle risotto, steaks and homemade ice cream desserts, all prepared with attention to detail.

Las Vegans – an explosion of vegan flavors

Las Vegans will win you over with its creative and delicious dishes. The location is full of charm, decorated with cheerful animal drawings that bring the place to life. Be sure to try their unusual lemonade, flavored with chili peppers and cucumber for a unique mix of flavors.

So there are many traditional restaurants to eat out in Budapest, and each of them offers an authentic take on Hungarian cuisine. As well as classics, you’ll also find modern restaurants reinventing traditional cuisine with a contemporary twist. Whatever your preference, Budapest manages to blend tradition with modernity, giving you an unforgettable dining experience. If you need more inspiration, you can also find us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

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