The Hungarian capital has become a hotbed of gastronomy: many restaurants in Budapest have opened in recent years with a new generation of chefs who have transformed a sometimes heavy cuisine into a creative one that is light, without losing the traditional taste.
In Budapest, you will find all types of food, from the modest street vendors to Michelin-starred restaurants. In addition, many restaurants in the city offer a lunch menu at unbeatable prices.
Where to eat in Budapest? what are the best restaurants in Budapest in 2024?
We help you choose from a dozen of our favorite restaurants in Budapest, split in 3 categories:
- Hungarian cuisine to discover Hungarian gastronomy.
- International cuisine.
- Fine dining.
The majority of Hungarian restaurants also offer international dishes and vice versa for international cuisine restaurants.
HUNGARIAN CUISINE
N28 WINE AND KITCHEN
Located in the city centre on Nagymező Street, the street of the theatres near the Opera House, the N28 WINE AND KITCHEN restaurant welcomes you with gourmet Hungarian bistro cuisine and expert wine tasting.
Chef Szabolcs Nagy and his team orchestrate a mischievous cuisine blending the heritage of classical gastronomy with more personal, modernist influences. Here, the quality of the ingredients and the cooking techniques make this place a little gem for discovering or rediscovering Hungarian cuisine!
Address: N28 WINE AND KITCHEN, Nagymező utca 28, 1065 Budapest – map – website. Open Tuesday to Saturday from midday to 11pm. Booking recommended.
MENZA – restaurants in Budapest
The restaurant Menza, is an institution in Budapest that is always busy: locals and tourists meet in the vintage 1970s decor. It is one of the ideal addresses to discover Hungarian cuisine with good value for your money.
Address: Menza, Liszt Ferenc ter 2, 6th district, Pest – plan – website.
Open hours: from 11:00 to 23:00 from Monday to Sunday. Price: €€
Tel: 00 36 30 145 4242 (reservations highly recommended).
GETTÓ GULYÁS
Gettó Gulyás is an ideal Hungarian restaurant to discover quality Hungarian cuisine at affordable prices located in the city centre. The menu features the core of Hungarian cuisine such as goulash soup, chicken and veal with paprika and iconic desserts. A 3-course lunch menu for around 5 euros is also available.
Our tip: booking in advance for lunch and dinner is highly recommended.
Address: Gettó Gulyás, wesselényi u.18, 7th district, Pest – map – Facebook page.
Opening hours: every day from 12:00 to 23:00. Price: €€. Tel: 00 36 70 389 6462 – reservation recommended –
Két Szerecsen Bistro
In a Mediterranean setting, Két Szerencsen welcomes you with an eclectic menu of tapas, traditional Hungarian dishes and southern flavors in a bistro atmosphere.
Address: Két Szerencsen, Nagymező u.14, 6th district, Pest – plan – website. Open hours: every day from 08:30 to 23:30. Price: €€. Tel: 00 36 1 343 1984 (reservations recommended for the evening).
Dunacorso
This historic restaurant in Budapest offers traditional Hungarian dishes, but above all provides a setting that is worth a visit: an exceptional view of Buda on the Danube side terrace. Every evening a Gypsy music orchestra entertains the happy guests.
Address: Dunacorso, Vigadó tér 3, 5th district, Pest – map – website. Open hours: every day from 12:00 to 23:00. Price: €€. Tel: 00 36 1 318 63 62 (reservations recommended).
Hungarikum Bistro
Located in the center of Pest, the bistro Hungarikum offers all the traditional culinary specialties that the Hungarians cook at home and are rarely found in the restaurants of Budapest. In a simple and friendly atmosphere, you will discover the flavors of the Hungarian cuisine without frills.
Address: bistro Hungarikum, Steindl Imre u. 13, 5th district, Pest – plan – website. Open hours: 12:30 to 14:30 and 18:00 to 22:00 Monday to Sunday. Tel: 00 36 30 661 62 44 – Price: €€.
INTERNATIONAL CUISINE
KIOSK – restaurants in Budapest
The Kiosk restaurant is one of our favorites: international and Hungarian cuisine in a huge loft; it is full of energy. We recommend the Kiosk Antipasti, a selection of appetizers for all tastes (cream of foie gras, ‘Körözöt’: paprika cheese, etc.) and leave room for the delicious Hungarian pastries with a twist of modernity. In summer, also enjoy the large terrace!
Address: Kiosk, Március 15. tér 4, 5th district, Pest – map – website. Open hours: from 12:00 to 24:00 from Monday to Sunday. From 09:00 on week-ends. Price: €€. Tel: 00 36 70 311 1969 (reservations highly recommended).
TWENTYSIX BUDAPEST
Twentysix is a trendy restaurant and bar located in the ruin bars district at number 26, with a surprisingly unique interior that is invisible from the street. A real urban oasis, its interior is a huge courtyard, a botanical garden at 26 degrees that houses a restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine. People come here for the unique atmosphere but also – and this is not always the case – for the quality of the food.
Address: Twentysix Budapest, Király u. 26, 6th district, Pest – map – website.
Opening times: Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 24:00, weekends from 7:30 to 02:00. Prices: €€/€€€. Tel: 00 36 70 395 6129 (booking highly recommended on their website).
Bistro Déryné
Bistro Déryné is the ‘hype’ bistro of Buda. In a cozy and varied setting, or on the terrace, you will discover a short menu with Hungarian and French accents.
Address: Bistro Déryné, Krisztina tér 3, 1st district, Buda – map – website.
Open hours: Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 24:00, Saturday from 9:00 till 01:00, Sunday from 9:00 to 0:00. Price: €€ / €€€. Tel: 00 36 1 225 1407 (reservations recommended).
Spiler Bistro
The Spiler is the “bistropub” in the Gozsdu court (the heart of Hungarian nightlife) that offers street food and a wide selection of wines. It is hosted by an electronic music DJ from Thursday to Saturday and is ideal before exploring the Hungarian night.
Address: Spiler Bistro, Király u. 13, VIIth district, Pest – map – website. Open hours: every day from 11:30 to 0:30. Price: €€. Tel: 00 36 1 878 1320.
Mazel Tov – restaurants in Budapest
Located in the 7th district of Pest, Mazel Tov offers a Middle Eastern cuisine (hummus, felafel, couscous, pita, etc.) in a unique setting in the neighborhood of ruin bars.
Evenings are often accompanied by concerts in the outdoor garden (covered in winter).
Address: Mazel Tov, Akácfa u. 47, VIIth district, Pest – map – website. Open hours: from 12:00 to midnight every day. Price: €€. Tel: 00 36 70 626 4280 (reservations highly recommended).
Our favourite Italian restaurant: Trattoria Pomo D’Oro
The popular and cozy Italian restaurant Trattoria Pomo D’Oro is located in the city centre. Recognised by the Association of Professional Italian Chefs, in 2018 it was chosen as one of the top 70 kitchens in the world that make traditional Italian pizza. Pomo D’oro is run by Gianni Annoni, a local celebrity who has created an authentic place! His thin-crust pizza is actually baked to perfection in a wood-fired oven. They have a great selection of pastas, risottos and seafood. Advance bookings are highly recommended.
Address: Trattoria Pomo D’Oro, Arany János u. 9, 1051 Pest, – map – website.
Opening hours: Open daily from 12.00 to 23.00 (Saturdays closed between 16.00 and 18.00). Price: €€. Tel: 00 36 1 302 64 73 (reservations strongly recommended).
FINE DINING
Virtu restaurant
The VIRTU restaurant is located on the Buda side of the Mol Campus tower, the highest tower in Hungary at 143 metres. The restaurant is located on the 28th floor, in an impressive setting with large windows and a superb panorama. Chef Levante Lendavai offers Hungarian and regional cuisine prepared using the finest local ingredients. The menu is designed to be accessible, with fine bistro cuisine served in a unique setting and with a service worthy of the greatest Michelin-starred restaurants.
After your meal, be sure to take the panoramic lift to the 29th floor ‘SkyDeck’, an open-air observation platform 120 metres high, from where you can admire the breathtaking panorama of Budapest.
Address: Virtu Restaurant, MOL Campus, Dombóvári út 28. – 1117 Budapest – map – website. Opening Hours: from Wednesday to Saturday, from 11:30 to 22:30. Price: €€€.
Costes restaurant
Costes restaurant was the first Budapest eateries to get a Michelin star. In a sophisticated setting, revisited international and Hungarian cuisine is now on offer in a unique 7-course tasting menu in 2024. New chef Jenő Rácz, a celebrity known for his appearances on Hungary’s most popular cooking show (the Hungarian version of Masterchef) and his restaurant ‘Rumour’, incorporates his own style of bohemian, avant-garde elegance.
Address: Costes restaurant, Ráday u. 4, IXth arrondissement, Pest – map – website. Open hours: Friday to Monday from 18:30 to 23:00. Tel: 00 36 20 926 78 37 (reservations recommended). Price: €€€€.
St Andrea Wine & Gourmet bar
St Andrea Wine & Gourmet Bar have been awarded the Gault & Millau 2016 Revelation Award. It is a very modern Hungarian cuisine and each dish is offered à la carte or on tasting menus. A selection of exclusive wines is one of the highlights of this sophisticated establishment.
Address: St Andrea Wine & Gourmet Bar, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út 78, 5th district, Pest – map – website. Open hours: Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 23:00, closed on week-end. Price: €€€. Tel: 00 36 1 269 0130 (reservations recommended).
Borkonyha – restaurants in Budapest
The Borkonyha restaurant, located in Pest just a stone’s throw from the St. Stephen’s basilica, was awarded a Michelin star in 2014 and kept it since. It offers modern cuisine in a bistro setting with subtle Hungarian influences and a choice of more than 200 Hungarian wines, including 48 offered by the glass.
Address: Borkonyha , Sas u.3, 5th district, Pest – map – website. Open hours: Monday to Friday, from 18:00 to 24:00. Saturday from 12:00 to 24:00. Closed on Sundays. Price: €€€
Tel: 00 36 1 266 0835 (reservations strongly recommended).
MÁK BISTRO – restaurants in Budapest
The MÁK bistro, located in the city centre on the Pest side, offers a tasting menu of creative dishes that play with different combinations of textures and flavours in a relaxed, pure and unpretentious way. Award-winning chef János Mizsei creates innovative cuisine (Scandinavian inspirations on Hungarian and international dishes) using seasonal ingredients of exceptional quality. The Scandinavian influence of the cuisine is reflected in the decor of the dining rooms, with their sleek wooden tables and exposed brickwork. A top-of-the-range experience that we love!
Address: MÁK, Vigyázó Ferenc u. 4, 5th district, Pest – map – website and menus.
Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday: 17:00-23:00 and from 12:00 to 14:00 also on Saturdays. Price: €€€. Tel: 00 36 30 7239383 (reservations strongly recommended).
TIPS – restaurants in Budapest
Check in Budapest restaurants to see if the tip (from 10 to 15%) is already included in the bill.
This practice is spreading, and the percentage of tip applied (in addition to the displayed prices of the dishes) must be indicated on the menus of Budapest restaurants.
DINNER CRUISE ON THE DANUBE
You also have the opportunity to combine a Budapest visit and dinner by embarking in the evening on a cruise on the Danube.
In the evening departing at 19:45, enjoy a two andhour long cruise on the Danube accompanied by a dinner and a musical performance of local Hungarian artists. (From November to February the departure of the cruise is 19:00.)
For information and booking a dinner cruise – click here
HUNGARIAN CUISINE TASTING PROGRAM
Experience the true flavor of Budapest with this culinary tasting program in downtown Budapest. Sample Hungarian specialties and learn about Hungarian cuisine from your expert local guide:
For informations and booking – click here
Medieval dinner and show
Spend an evening in the heart of Budapest enjoying a medieval Hungarian dinner in a warm setting and atmosphere. Be entertained by a show that includes swordsmen, jugglers and belly dancers, all accompanied by music. A fun and festive experience with several menus available:
Medieval Dinner Show information and booking – click here