One of the best things (for me, at least) about traveling literally anywhere is trying a bunch of new foods, and Budapest had plenty for me to choose from! Pretty much everywhere we ate in the city was delicious, and I tried so many dishes and treats I’d never had before, which made our stay all the more worthwhile. I think Budapest offered the biggest range of food I’ve eaten during my monthly travels, from Hungarian goulash to Mexican tacos, Spanish tapas to American burgers, Italian pastas to Japanese gyoza and more. There’s absolutely something for everyone in Budapest, and I hope this guide helps you find what you’re looking for.
I’m sharing all the best food and drink I had during my month in Budapest to give you inspiration for your next trip, or just to give you an interesting read if you’re bored. Enjoy!
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1. Retró Lángos
One of my favorite traditional Hungarian foods I tried in Budapest were these lángos–savory fried dough with sour cream and cheese on top. They’re a typical street food and come with so many topping options, so they’re customizable like a pizza almost! I got the “Rustic” from Retró Lángos which had onions and sausage on top, and we added some hot sauce as well for a little kick. It was so, so good, and lángos are super popular in Hungary, so you’ll have no trouble finding them elsewhere in the city, too.
STANDOUTS:
- Rustic lángos
2. Grumpy Budapest
We got brunch at Grumpy one morning and were immediately greeted by an incredibly friendly man (who might have been the owner?). The cafe is pretty small so we had to wait a bit for a table, but the service was really fast and personable! I got the pesto fried eggs which were SO good, and we all split the dessert dumplings which pleasantly surprised me. The eggs were so flavorful and filling with the added tomatoes, salad, and bread, and the dumplings had a really nice, sweet flavor I’d never tasted before. They’re made with cottage cheese, sweet sour cream, and berries, and have a fluffy, pillowy texture to the dumpling that really nicely compliments the creaminess of the filling.
STANDOUTS:
- Pesto eggs
- Traditional Hungarian dessert dumplings
3. Edy’s French Tacos
French tacos were another first for me, and I’m so glad we tried this spot out while in Budapest. French tacos are basically a mix between a burrito and a quesadilla, but what makes them unique is the addition of French fries inside the wrap! When we got to Edy’s, which is a tiny little shop in District 6, we were handed little papers to fill our orders out on; we checked off boxes for what fillings and sides we wanted, grabbed some local Hungarian cider, and went upstairs to wait for our food. The tacos were super yummy and super filling, especially paired with some French fries and homemade beetroot sauce on the side! The cider (pictured below) was amazing as well. I always love trying local drinks if I can, and the cooks there really hyped it up to us so we knew we had to taste it for ourselves. Definitely recommend if you find it anywhere in Budapest!
STANDOUTS:
- French tacos (customizable)
- Budaprés Cider
4. Hungarikum Bisztró
Most of the restaurants we visited throughout all our travels were specifically vegetarian/vegan, or at least had plenty of veggie options since Liv and Nijal are vegetarians. We knew we wanted to have a traditional Hungarian meal at least once during our trip, but since Hungarian food is so meat-centric, we had to make sure wherever we went had enough options for everyone to choose from. Liv found this awesome spot in District 5 (that you definitely need reservations for), and it was the perfect restaurant to get an authentic Hungarian meal. The entire staff were so friendly and their menu was huge, filled with some of the most delicious looking meals I’d ever seen! I went with the goulash, while Liv and Nijal chose some vegetarian options, and we all shared some traditional cake desserts. Everything was phenomenal, from the local wine down to the bread. 100% make a reservation here during your next trip to Budapest–it was hands down my favorite meal in the city!
STANDOUTS:
- Goulash
- Dark chocolate cake with sour cherry sauce
5. Pizzica
Pizzica is a quaint little hole-in-the-wall pizza shop in District 6 serving delicious street pizza–we stopped here for lunch one day and it’s pretty small, with an industrial vibe and upstairs seating (meaning two or three tables and a bathroom). It’s mainly a walk-up counter for take-out orders, but we grabbed some beers and ate ours upstairs since it wasn’t busy. You can choose from lots of different pizzas, and they cut up your slices with scissors and give you your own little pizza board to eat from! Very cool spot and very delicious pizzas, plus a good selection of both Italian and Hungarian beers.
STANDOUTS:
- Margherita pizza
- Cotto & tartufo pizza
6. Napfényes Étterem
This is a wonderful vegetarian restaurant close to the river in District 5! We were a little surprised by how fancy it seemed inside and thought we were underdressed at first, but everyone that came in was in jeans and sweaters just like we were, so don’t let the decor steer you away. I had a creamy seasonal veggie soup to start, and we all shared a huge platter of vegetarian appetizers, cheeses, and finger foods that were delicious! The restaurant is also a confectionery so we obviously had to get some dessert after dinner, and my strawberry layer cake was incredible–super moist and fluffy with rich strawberry sauce and creamy frosting. I wish I had taken pictures of the sharing platter because it was huge and so tasty! This restaurant is a great veggie option in the city, even if you’re not vegetarian or vegan like me–I couldn't even tell that the “meat” wasn’t meat.
STANDOUTS:
- Seasonal winter soup
- Lavish platter for two
7. WAFU
I’ve gotten so much more into Asian food since traveling with Liv and Nijal, and one of my all-time favorites is gyoza. We got dinner at WAFU one night and their gyoza did not disappoint! I had to get a side of edamame as well, and we all shared their seasonal mochi bowl (still not sure exactly what flavors they were, but they were fruity!). The staff was super nice but the service was a bit slow since it got really crowded for a small, unassuming restaurant, so I’d keep that in mind if you plan to eat here!
STANDOUTS:
- Gyoza
- Seasonal mochi
8. The Magic
If you’re a Harry Potter fan and don’t mind a little cheesiness, you’ll enjoy a meal at The Magic in District 6! It’s a Harry Potter themed restaurant with signature cocktails and dishes, plus some theatre elements like bubbling cauldrons brought to your table. The food was just okay, and the ambiance was, like I said, a little cheesy, but we gave into the hokeyness and had a fun time! The menu ranges from burgers and pastas to super sweet waffles topped with candy and chocolate, and the cocktail list was curated well–and if nothing else, you can get a few Butterbeers and cast some spells over a dry-ice cauldron like we did (twice).
STANDOUTS:
- Whiskey Myrtle (cocktail)
- Elves’ Delicacy (3 mini burgers)
9. Double Shot
You all know by now that I love a good coffee shop, and this one might have been my favorite in Budapest! Located near the river in District 5, this cafe had a really unique menu for both food and drinks. I was so tempted to try the truffle Benedict, but ended up getting the breakfast burrito and was not disappointed–it had pulled pork, Irish cheddar, and bacon, to name a few incredible ingredients. They also have English breakfasts, toasts, bowls, bao, and cocktails, which is awesome for a coffee shop! 100% recommend this spot (and wish I had gone back to try more things).
STANDOUTS:
- Breakfast burrito
- Pumpkin party bowl
10. VAJ
VAJ is a great little coffee shop we stopped at pretty frequently since it was just a couple minutes walk from our Airbnb in District 8. It has a really clean, modern vibe to it, with a cute terrace area for outdoor seating. It has all your typical coffees, breads, pastries, and more, so you can’t go wrong here!
STANDOUTS:
- Tomato pesto twist
11. Gelarto Rosa
This place serves flower-shaped gelato cones… need I say more? There were tons of flavors to choose from, including some traditional Hungarian flavors like sour cherry soup, and every single one looked delicious. I personally had basil lemon, white chocolate lavender, and strawberry elderflower (like, come on), and my cone came pretty damn close to beating the gelato I had in Italy. I very much recommend this place if you’re looking for a sweet treat that looks as good as it tastes!
STANDOUTS:
- Strawberry elderflower
- Basil lemon
- White chocolate lavender
12. 2 Spaghi - Fresh Pasta Bar
Oh man, was this place delicious. It was like a little slice of Italy in the middle of Budapest, and I loved every bit of it. You get to totally customize your pasta dish by selecting a freshly made pasta and pairing it with whatever sauce you want–they had red sauce, fresh pesto, gorgonzola and truffle, four cheese… you name it, they probably have it. The gorgonzola truffle sauce paired with their freshly made ravioli was to die for, and the perfect hearty meal before we set off on our boat cruise down the Danube. It’s part of Gozsdu Court in District 7, which is a collection of restaurants, shops, bars and more. We had multiple great meals there and a fun night watching karaoke–definitely recommend stopping by here on a night out!
STANDOUTS:
- Fresh ravioli with gorgonzola truffle sauce
13. Gelateria Pichler
If you want a phenomenal chimney cake in Budapest, this is the spot to go! We got ours freshly made (which are unbeatable), and I chose a cinnamon cake with pistachio cream inside. It was truly out of this world–I could literally shovel the pistachio cream into my mouth with a spoon, it was so good. These yummy treats are a perfect snack for walking around the city since you can easily tear them up as you eat. It’s a little messy with a cream spread inside, but that doesn’t take away the deliciousness. You can get ice cream inside too, like a cake-cone instead of a waffle cone. Yum!
STANDOUTS:
- Cinnamon chimney cake with pistachio cream
14. Cafe Csiga
Cafe Csiga is a cute little local spot in District 8 that we ended up really enjoying! It has a cool interior (very boho-hipster vibes), and a small but charming selection of brunch and dinner options. The green pea risotto I had was outstanding, and I snacked on Liv’s appetizer platter and that was great, too. It’s like a mix between a coffee shop and dinner restaurant, with a lofted seating area above their main cafe area. It looked like a great place to work from, but we only went once for dinner (though our friend who studied abroad in Budapest would work there all the time!).
STANDOUTS:
- Green pea risotto
15. Tölcsibe Wesselényi
I loooove street food cones, and this one from a fast food shop in District 7 was pretty great! They had a ton of options, from Caesar cones to American ranch to Chipotle and honey mustard, plus most flavors had vegetarian versions, too. The best part was being able to eat it like an ice cream cone! You could use the fork, too, but where’s the fun in that?
STANDOUTS:
- West coast guacamole cone
16. Dream Cream
On the topic of cones, these bubble waffle ice cream cones were super fun and super yummy! It was my first time trying these viral desserts, and I have to say that paired with a boozy hot chocolate, they’re worth the hype. I got vanilla ice cream, strawberries, and Nutella on mine, and it was super filling but so worth it. Definitely a fun treat to get if you’re looking to satisfy a sweet tooth!
STANDOUTS:
- Bubble waffle with ice cream and strawberries
17. Papitos
Another great District 7 spot! Papitos had really yummy tacos, along with burritos, quesadillas, and freshly made margaritas. I went for a Corona, but am pretty positive the margaritas would have been fantastic, if they were anything like the tacos. It’s notoriously hard to find good Mexican food in Europe, but Papitos definitely satisfied my taco craving, so I highly recommend!
STANDOUTS:
- Pork tacos
18. Vicky Barcelona
Vicky Barcelona is a close second for my favorite meal in all of Budapest. I absolutely love tapas–there’s nothing like sipping wine at a table full of small plates with friends, and this restaurant knocked it out of the park. I haven’t been to Spain, but Liv and Nijal couldn’t stop saying how much the restaurant reminded them of their time there, and now Spain is even higher on my list! Every bit of food was phenomenal, as was the wine, and it’s located in Gozsdu Court with lots of other fun things happening–do NOT skip this spot when visiting Budapest!
STANDOUTS:
- Short rib roll
- Patatas
- Olives
19. The Goat Herder
This lovely little cafe is located in the back half of District 7, a little ways away from the center of the city. It was a really cute spot, mainly for takeaway orders, but had some bench and table seating for a few people working or chatting with friends. We were able to get a table for the three of us, so we enjoyed a little brunch before starting our work for the day. Their avocado toast was super good, as was their coffee! I love a simple oat milk latte, and this one really hit the spot.
STANDOUTS:
- Avocado toast
- Oat milk latte
20. Szimpla Kert
If you’re going to Budapest, you’re going to a ruin bar–that’s not really up for debate. Szimpla Kert is by far the most popular, which means it’s the most crowded, but even I enjoy a night or two spent in a dimly lit bar with a thousand other people. By day, this place is a really cool, open air ruined building with booths selling cheeses and mulled wines, but by night it turns into a huge house party of sorts, with at least ten different bars located in different rooms, live music, and lots of people smoking hookah and stealing chairs from tables. We were able to find a quiet corner (sitting on a radiator, actually), and we had a great time wandering around, chatting, and drinking. This is the spot to try pálinka, in my opinion, since you’ll already be drunk enough to not care how bad it tastes!
21. Jack Doyle’s
I can’t even tell you how happy we were to have found an Irish pub in Budapest, on St. Patrick’s Day no less! We were really missing Belfast by that point, and we knew we wanted to celebrate with some baby Guinness, so heading to Jack Doyle’s was an extremely easy decision to make. If you’re looking for a lively, homey pub feel when in Budapest, this is the spot for you. And if you go, have a baby Guinness for me!
22. Neverland Escape Rooms
Now, this spot is both a restaurant/bar and an escape room building, but you can either do both, or just one or the other! We found the escape rooms first when looking for activities to do in the area, and when we realized they had a bar and restaurant too, we were sold. You can grab a drink before heading to your escape room, which we did, and you can even bring your drink into almost every room. I should have probably finished mine before we had bags put over our heads and were locked in a cage, but that’s beside the point. If you don’t want to do the escape rooms, you can just get dinner and drinks at the restaurant as well! I can’t vouch for the food, but the drink I had (the Muse) was really good.
If you’re curious, this was the escape room we chose - and yes, it was traumatizing.
23. 1000TEA
Before getting chimney cakes, we ventured over to 1000TEA, a traditional tea house hidden in a touristy part of District 5. If we didn’t know what we were looking for, we would have missed it! It was a really cool, calming environment, with countless teas to choose from, and even some small plates like hummus, babaganoush, pita, and snack cups with olives, chips, and more. We opted for just tea and spent a while sipping and chatting, and it was a really relaxing morning! Keep in mind, it’s cash only here, but there are ATMs on the nearby street.
24. Why Not Bar
We stumbled upon this bar when looking for late night drinks, not realizing it was actually a super popular gay bar in Budapest. I think we actually were searching “B52 shots” and this spot came up. 😂 We visited twice, and it wasn’t very busy either time, but we were also there during March–I imagine the place gets packed during the summer since it’s right next to the river. Regardless, it was a really awesome vibe! They had great music videos playing all night, the staff were super friendly, and the drinks were strong af. Would definitely go back.
25. Jardín Cocktail Bar
Another bar right in Gozsdu Court (and right next to Vicky Barcelona), this spot was pretty dead when we visited, but the drinks were yummy! They had a ton of unique, Instagram-worthy drinks that were surprisingly delicious despite the over-the-top presentations. Liv’s cocktail was literally served in a bathtub, and I was tempted to get one that came in a camera lens. Usually those types of bars skimp on the drinks, but these ones were super good, so hats off to them. I’m sure this place gets packed later at night, too–we were a little early, but by the time we ate next door and left, it was pretty crowded!
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