Traditional Hungarian Foods & Drinks to Try When Visiting Budapest

One of the coolest things about visiting Budapest was the fact that the food there was so different than any other cuisine I’d tried before. Sure, they have Starbucks and McDonalds there, too; but I was so excited to eat new traditional foods that I’d either never heard of or hadn’t gotten a chance to try, especially in their native country.

Hungarian cuisine is very meat-centric and typically features lots of potatoes, bread, and dairy, along with fresh, seasonal veggies and fruits. We visited during the colder months, which meant lots of soups/stews, dumplings, and hearty, warm, and filling meals (which I love). Paprika is probably the most prominent spice used in Hungary (you’ll see it being sold literally everywhere), and as far as desserts go, you’ll find lots of cream-filled pastries and dumplings, layered cakes, and tons of other unique options. It’s all very on-brand for Central Europe when you think about the similarities in Polish food, Slovakian food, etc.

Again, while there are countless different types of food to eat in Budapest, from Mexican to Italian to American and more, you should absolutely try at least a couple Hungarian delicacies while you’re there. Here are five that I’d recommend trying during your visit!

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Lángos (fried dough)

In the US, when we think of fried dough, we think of it topped with powdered sugar and fruity, chocolaty syrups (usually enjoyed at a carnival or amusement park). In Hungary, lángos are a savory street food typically served with sour cream and cheese, though lots of meats and veggies can be added as well. We got our first lángos at Retró Lángos and they were mind-blowing, to say the least. I ordered the “Rustic” which came with sour cream, cheese, sausage and red onion, and it was phenomenal. We weren’t sure how to eat them at first (hands vs. fork and knife), but we saw tons of people doing both, so whatever is easiest for you will work. It seemed like the more toppings you got, the harder it was to pick up and eat with your hands, so I opted for my utensils. There was sriracha on our table as well, and that was an awesome addition. There are tons of spots around Budapest to get lángos since it’s a super popular street food, so you can’t go wrong wherever you stop!

Goulash (hearty meat stew)

Before going to Budapest, when I heard “goulash” I always pictured a dark, dreary tavern with filled with knights eating mushy stew and stale bread. The name just gives off medieval vibes, and for good reason–goulash originated in Hungary in the 10th century, and has long been the country’s national dish. I tried the beef goulash (which I think was a special) at Hungarikum Bisztró, and was blown away! I love a really filling soup, and this one truly hit the spot. It was filled with tender beef and fresh veggies with a spicy broth that was perfect to sop up with bread. Everything else we ordered was lovely, too, from the local wines to the rich desserts! I definitely recommend trying goulash in Budapest, especially at this particular restaurant–it’s a truly authentic spot with incredibly friendly staff. You’ll definitely need to make a reservation here, though!

Pálinka (Hungarian alcohol)

I don’t love drinking straight liquor, but I couldn’t leave Budapest without trying Hungary’s most famous alcohol, pálinka. I’ve read and heard claims that it’s “fruity” and “sweet” but if we’re being honest, it tastes like rubbing alcohol. I think we got the cherry flavor (there are usually a handful of fruity options to choose from), and without a chaser, these shots were pretty rough. However, they’re an extremely cheap and fast way to get a buzz, and I’m a fan of trying anything once just to say you tried it–so drink up!

You can obviously get pálinka mixed into a drink as well, so if shots aren’t your thing, try a mixed drink at a local bar!

Túrógombóc édes tejföllel (dessert dumplings)

I’ve always been a dessert person, but my recent travels have encouraged me to become a “dessert with every meal” person (it’s great for my tastebuds, but hell on my bank account). One of the first Hungarian desserts we tried were these dessert dumplings made with cottage cheese, sweet sour cream, and fresh fruit. I wasn’t sure what to expect since I’m not a huge fan of cottage cheese, but these dumplings were delicious! Super rich and sweet with lots of bright, fruity flavors. This is a hard recommend for me–we got these at Grumpy where they serve all-day brunch!

Kürtöskalács (Chimney Cakes)

Ah, the chimney cake. Such a delicious treat, especially on a cold day when you can get one freshly made. I’d never had a chimney cake before, but Liv and Nijal raved about them since visiting Prague, so I knew once we got to Budapest I needed to get one ASAP. We went to Gelateria Pichler for our first ones, and they did NOT disappoint! There were a couple different versions to try, but I got a cinnamon cake with pistachio cream–it was absolutely heavenly, 10/10 recommend. You can get ice cream inside them as well, which I didn’t try, but looked insanely good. Chimney cakes are really good plain, as well, and we got one freshly made outside Fisherman’s Bastion on a chilly day alongside some mulled wine, and it was a fantastic pairing. They’re super easy to eat on the go, so you can have a quick bite while exploring the city!

Obviously there are endless other traditional Hungarian dishes to try when visiting Budapest, so if none of these suit your fancy, take your pick from literally any menu at any restaurant that’s not a foreign chain! You’re bound to find something you love here.

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