The 19 Best Restaurants in Budapest: Where to Dine, from Inventive Menus to Michelin Stars.
Budapest has transformed into a true culinary capital, with restaurants that cater to every taste and budget. Gone are the days of uninspired meals and indifferent service. Today, the city’s eateries embrace creative cuisine, attentive hospitality, and even Michelin stars. Vegetarian and vegan options abound, making Budapest a haven for all diners. Here’s where to eat across the city’s vibrant districts.
Dining Guide by Area:
DOWNTOWN
Costes Downtown
This Michelin-starred restaurant is a sibling of Costes, Budapest’s first Michelin-awarded spot. Costes Downtown presents an innovative menu with seven-course tasting options, as well as more accessible lunch menus. Opened in 2015, it’s a stylish yet relaxed dining experience with an open kitchen.
Gerbeaud Café
An institution dating back to 1858, Gerbeaud Café is known for its lavish cakes and pastries with classic flavors like walnut and chocolate. The café’s unchanged interiors—chandeliers and marble floors—add to its timeless appeal, while the terrace is perfect for people-watching.
Babel
Babel combines history and elegance, occupying a space marked by the 1838 Great Flood. Awarded a Michelin star, Babel’s 12-course Experience menu showcases Hungarian flavors with organic, artisanal presentation. Vegan options are also available.
Gerlóczy Café
A beloved local spot, Gerlóczy Café brings a Parisian touch to Pest. From breakfast pastries to Mediterranean-inspired main courses, it’s a cozy, romantic setting close to Váci Street yet tucked away in a peaceful square.
N28 Wine and Kitchen
Created by Szabolcs Nagy, former chef of Fricska, N28 offers inventive dishes like crispy shrimp with avocado. An open kitchen lets diners watch the culinary action unfold, and the atmosphere is complemented by top-notch service.
Spago Budapest
A sophisticated venture by renowned chef Wolfgang Puck, Spago Budapest at the Matild Palace Hotel is a glamorous venue with an enclosed glass terrace. The menu features international dishes with Asian influences, from grilled octopus to schnitzel.
BUDA
Déryné Bistro
Situated near Buda’s Castle Hill, Déryné Bistro offers a lively blend of historic charm and culinary excellence. Established in 1914, it still exudes an old-world café atmosphere. With live gypsy and jazz music enhancing the mood, Déryné serves generous portions of French-inspired dishes alongside Hungarian specialties.
Zazie Bistro and VIRTU Restaurant
This dual-concept dining destination, situated in Hungary’s tallest building near the National Theatre, includes Zazie Bistro and VIRTU. Zazie, on the ground floor, offers international and Hungarian fare, while VIRTU on the top floor delivers sophisticated regional cuisine paired with panoramic city views.
Pierrot
Once a medieval bakery, Pierrot now presents a chic, whitewashed space adorned with a piano and photos of past celebrity guests. Run by the esteemed Zsidai Group, Pierrot’s menu includes Hungarian and French influences, featuring dishes like pike perch and decadent chocolate desserts. The tranquil garden setting is ideal for a leisurely meal.
CITY PARK
Gundel
A historical landmark dating back to 1910, Gundel is known for its opulent décor and traditional dishes like goose liver and its famous Gundel pancake with walnuts and chocolate sauce. The restaurant hosts an elegant dining experience, with classical music and impeccable service.
Városliget Café and Restaurant
Located in a historic skate hall by City Park’s lake, Városliget Café is a colorful spot for a casual meal. Try the goulash soup or ox cheek with bread dumplings, and don’t miss the house-made lemonade.
Szaletly
With an industrial-meets-traditional vibe, Szaletly offers Hungarian dishes with a creative twist. Highlights include fisherman’s soup and mangalica-stuffed cabbage, along with a five-course tasting menu for a complete culinary journey.
JEWISH QUARTER
Fricska 2.0
Set in a cozy cellar, Fricska 2.0 revives the flavors of its predecessor with international and contemporary Hungarian cuisine. A favorite for both lunch and dinner, it offers two- or three-course lunch menus and a five-course tasting experience at night.
Kőleves
Kőleves in the Jewish Quarter presents a modern, laid-back vibe with classic Hungarian flavors. Timeless dishes like veal stew and Hortobágyi pancakes highlight the menu, with ample vegetarian and vegan choices.
TATI Farm to Table
TATI focuses on farm-to-table dining, sourcing ingredients from small producers. Signature dishes include duck confit and beef-neck stew, while the cottage cheese dumplings with white chocolate mousse are a must-try. Natural Hungarian wines complete the experience.
BEST CAFÉS
New York Café
Dubbed the world’s most beautiful café, New York Café’s ornate interiors with frescoes and red velvet accents draw in tourists and locals alike. Classic Hungarian dishes like beef cheek stew and grilled trout are on the menu.
Café Kör
A cozy venue near St. Stephen’s Basilica, Café Kör serves traditional Hungarian fare like gulyás and stroganoff-style beef. With a relaxed atmosphere, it’s ideal for an affordable yet memorable meal.
Szamos Café
Known for its exquisite marzipan treats, Szamos Café has an adjoining Chocolate Museum and an impressive array of cakes. The café’s Sacher Cake and Green Gold of Őrség, a raspberry-filled sponge, are particularly popular.
Café Liszt
Located within the Aria Hotel, Café Liszt offers an ambiance fit for music lovers, with signed glass panels from famous musicians and a rooftop bar. The menu features Hungarian specialties, including fried mangalica pork and pistachio crème brûlée.
Each of these dining venues captures the charm and creativity that define Budapest’s vibrant food scene. From historic cafés to innovative kitchens, Budapest’s restaurants are ready to surprise and satisfy.
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