Where to eat in Budapest
Budapest eats Hungarian: paprika stews, fried dough, stuffed cabbage and cake in a grand cafe. The old cafes and the market halls are the best places to start. Eat goulash at lunch, take cake in the afternoon, and book dinner at weekends.
The short answer
- Best area to eat
- Erzsébetváros and Lipótváros for restaurants, the Great Market Hall for lunch.
- Order this
- Gulyásleves, lángos and a slice of Dobos torta.
- When to eat
- Lunch from 12, dinner from 7pm. Cafes open from 9am.
- Book or walk in
- Book Friday and Saturday dinner. Cafes and markets take walk-ins.
- Tipping
- Tip about 10 to 12 per cent. Check the bill, as a service charge may already be added.
What to eat in Budapest
- GulyáslevesHungarian goulash soup of beef, potato and paprika, eaten as a main course with bread.
- LángosA deep-fried flatbread topped with sour cream and cheese, sold at markets and street stands.
- HalászléA spicy river-fish soup with paprika, from the Danube and Tisza, often eaten at Christmas.
- Töltött káposztaCabbage rolls stuffed with minced pork and rice, in a sour-cream and paprika sauce.
- Chicken paprikásChicken in a paprika cream sauce, served with small dumplings called nokedli.
- Dobos tortaA layered sponge cake with chocolate cream and a hard caramel top.
- KürtőskalácsA sweet chimney cake baked over charcoal and rolled in sugar, sold on the street.
Where to eat in Budapest, by neighborhood
Erzsébetváros
The Jewish Quarter, with restaurants, bars and street food in a dense grid. Busy at night.
Lipótváros and Belváros
Grand cafes and formal restaurants near the river and the Basilica. Good for cake and for a longer dinner.
Terézváros and Andrássy út
A grand avenue with old cafes and restaurants, and quieter streets either side.
Buda
Quieter restaurants and old bistros in the castle district and around Moszkva tér.
Places worth a booking or a queue
-
Gerbeaud
FtFtCoffee house · Belváros
OrderDobos torta and coffee
A grand coffee house on Vörösmarty Square, serving cake and pastries to a long tradition. First come, first served.
- Book
- Walk in, expect a queue
Confirmed open: gerbeaud.hu
-
New York Café
FtFtFtGrand cafe · Erzsébetváros
OrderCoffee and a cake, or dinner in the White Salon
An ornate cafe on the Grand Boulevard, in the same building since 1894. Daytime seating is first come, first served.
- Book
- Walk in by day, book after 6pm
Confirmed open: newyorkcafe.hu
-
Menza
FtFtRestaurant · Terézváros
OrderGoulash or chicken paprikás
A restaurant on Liszt Ferenc tér styled like a 1970s canteen, serving Hungarian dishes with a modern touch.
- Book
- Book ahead for dinner
Confirmed open: inyourpocket.com
-
Hungarikum Bisztró
FtFtFtBistro · Lipótváros
OrderA Hungarian classic such as töltött káposzta
A small bistro near St Stephen's Basilica serving traditional Hungarian dishes. The room is small and fills up.
- Book
- Book ahead online
Confirmed open: hungarikumbisztro.hu
Food markets in Budapest
- Great Market HallA large covered market with produce and paprika below, and lángos and Hungarian dishes on the upper floor.Monday to Saturday from early morning; Sunday opening has changed recently, so check before you goSource: hungaryunlocked.com
How Budapest eats
- Meal timesLunch from 12 and dinner from 7pm.
- Lunch menusMany restaurants offer a cheaper set lunch on weekdays.
- TippingTip about 10 to 12 per cent. Check whether a service charge is already on the bill.
- CafesSit as long as you like. The waiter brings the bill when you ask.
Signs of a place to walk past
A menu with photographs of every dish and a tout outside.
A restaurant on Váci utca with no Hungarian customers.
A bill with a large unexplained service charge or extras.
Eating in Budapest: questions people ask
What food is Budapest known for?
Goulash soup, lángos, chicken paprikás and Dobos torta. The old cafes are part of the experience.
Where should I eat in Budapest?
Erzsébetváros and Lipótváros for dinner, the Great Market Hall for lunch.
What is lángos?
A fried flatbread topped with sour cream and cheese, sold at markets and street stands.
Do I need to book in Budapest?
At weekends, yes, for popular restaurants. Cafes and markets take walk-ins.
Is Hungarian food spicy?
It uses paprika for flavor and depth, not usually heat. Ask for chilli on the side if you want it hot.
Do you tip in Budapest?
Yes. Tip about 10 to 12 per cent unless a service charge is already on the bill.