Must-see restaurants in Budapest

  • Hanoi Xua

    Budapest

    A little out of the way, but handy for the Hungarian Natural History Museum and the Népliget bus station, this spacious, functional-looking restaurant has…

  • Pata Negra

    Óbuda & Buda Hills

    ‘Black Foot’ (a type of Spanish cured ham) is a lovely Spanish tapas bar and restaurant that serves such standards as calamares a la romana (fried…

  • Nobu

    Budapest

    Budapest knew it had arrived when a branch of the favourite canteen of the London glitterati opened here. As elsewhere, Nobu is minimalist in decor and…

  • Padrón

    Budapest

    An authentic slice of Spain in the backstreets of Budapest, Padrón is passionately run by well-informed staff and expertly trained chefs. There's a great…

  • Arany Kaviár Étterem

    Castle District

    With stellar service and beautiful presentation, the 'Golden Caviar’ serves Russian food like you've never seen it. We can't fault the flavours – the home…

  • Magyar QTR

    Budapest

    It's difficult not to love this bistro for its excellent Hungarian wine selection (more than 100 vintages from five regions), the food and the fabulous…

  • Onyx

    Budapest

    This Michelin-starred eatery adjacent to (and owned by) Gerbeaud has taken it upon its own lofty shoulders to modernise Hungarian cuisine, and its six…

  • Paletta Bistró

    Budapest

    This new kid on the block in Southern Pest – a transplant from Keszthely on the Balaton – has a lakeside vibe, with whitewashed clapboard terrace, lots of…

  • Café Bouchon

    Budapest

    It's a little bit pricey for what and where it is, but Ooh la la, c'est si bon! A family-run bouchon (small restaurant) with a warm welcome and an art…

  • Fáma

    Castle District

    'Rumour' (not 'Fame'!) and its food are what’s on cognoscenti's lips in Budapest these days. An inventive menu of mostly fish and poultry displaying Asian…

  • Stand Restaurant

    Erzsébetváros & the Jewish Quarter

    This ultra-chic, über-under-designed place (if such a thing is possible) is done in blues and muted browns and russets with a steel trim. It could be in…

  • Petrus

    Budapest

    Owned by local celebrity chef Zoltán Feke, Petrus offers French bistro cooking: boeuf bourguignon, duck confit and snails done in a profusion of ways. The…

  • Új Sípos Halászkert

    Óbuda & Buda Hills

    This old-style eatery faces (and, in the warmer weather, has outside seating in) Óbuda’s most beautiful and historical square. Try the signature halászlé …

  • Náncsi Néni

    Óbuda & Buda Hills

    Auntie Náncsi (Hungarian for any loopy old lady) has long been a favourite with locals and expats alike, and she’s very much of sound mind. Located up in…

  • Hummus Bar

    Budapest

    This handy branch of the popular Middle Eastern chain serves cheap, reliable and tasty (mostly) veggie dishes such as shakshuka (eggs cooked in a tomato…

  • Remíz

    Óbuda & Buda Hills

    Next to a tram depot (remíz) in the Buda Hills, this veritable though somewhat shabby institution remains popular for its reliable food (try the meats…

  • Smarni Étterem

    Budapest

    This wonderful place housed in an outbuilding of the royal palace, a few steps to the southwest and across from the main HÉV train station, serves…

  • Vendéglő a KisBíróhoz

    Óbuda & Buda Hills

    Sister-restaurant to Bock Bisztro, this almost-luxurious place in the Buda Hills caters to the well-heeled denizens of district XII. The tapas (from…

  • Kiosk Budapest

    Budapest

    With an enormous outdoor terrace and a cavernous interior, Kiosk wears many hats. It's a casual place to grab an imaginatively prepared lunch midweek (two…

  • Gastronomia Pomo d'Oro

    Budapest

    Next door to a much more extravagant trattoria bearing the same name, on a street locals call 'Via Italia', this Italian delicatessen-caterer has a little…

  • Fülemüle

    Budapest

    This quaint Hungarian restaurant with long wooden tables and old photos on the wall is quite a find in deepest Józsefváros. Dishes mingle Hungarian and…

  • Spoon The Boat Restaurant

    Budapest

    If you like the idea of dining on a two-level boat but still remaining tethered to the bank, Spoon is for you. The choice of seating is legion: cafe,…

  • Belvárosi Disznótoros

    Budapest

    If your level of hunger could be described as ravenous, visit this butcher-caterer (a disznótor is where the porker is turned into sausages and other…

  • Buddha Bar

    Budapest

    It's difficult to say whether this is an Asian restaurant or a temple. The focal point in the dimmed lighting is a giant golden Buddha, the furnishings…

  • TG Italian

    Budapest

    The restaurant that set a new benchmark for Budapest early in the new millennium has changed its spots and gone all Italian on us. OK, it’s ubertrendy and…

  • Kacsa

    Castle District

    The ‘Duck’ (on the corner of Duck St) is the place to go, well, ‘quackers’, though you need not restrict yourself to the eight dishes with a bill …

  • Földes Józsi Konyhája

    Óbuda & Buda Hills

    In a lovely old townhouse, this rustic place established by former hotel chef Joe Earthy – hey, that’s what his name means! – some years back still serves…

  • Zeller Bistro

    Budapest

    What was once one of our favourite bistros in Budapest has moved to newer and bigger and brighter premises and has caught the attention of hipster…

  • Kádár Étkezde

    Erzsébetváros & the Jewish Quarter

    Located in the heart of the Jewish district, Kádár is one of the most popular and authentic étkezdék (canteens that serve simple dishes) you’ll find in…

  • Szimpla Háztáji

    Erzsébetváros & the Jewish Quarter

    Sourcing its ingredients from the farmers selling their wares at the Szimpla Farmers' Market across the road on Sundays, this lovely, rustic and very…

  • Zoska Breakfast Café

    Budapest

    Hidden in a backstreet beside the ruins of the old city wall, this small cafe is popular with locals and visitors alike for its cosy vintage decor and all…

  • Salaam Bombay

    Budapest

    If you’re hankering for a fix of authentic Indian curry or tandoori in a bright, upbeat environment, look no further than this attractive eatery just east…

  • Fuego

    Erzsébetváros & the Jewish Quarter

    This is one of those simple ideas that make you wonder why it hadn't been done before. Chicken – that's it – expertly grilled on an open fire (where fuego…

  • Naspolya Nassolda

    Erzsébetváros & the Jewish Quarter

    This cafe serves sweets and savoury snacks that are raw, vegan, and gluten- and dairy-free. No soy, no refined sugar, no GMO. Try the chocolate cake with…

  • Szép Ilona

    Óbuda & Buda Hills

    This refined Buda Hills spot is a good place to come for hearty indigenous fare, such as duck leg in orange sauce (3800Ft), at modest prices. The name…

  • Mosselen

    Budapest

    This pleasant ‘beer restaurant’ in Újlipótváros serves Belgian (and some Hungarian) specialities, including its namesake, those much-loved bivalves,…

  • Borbíróság

    Budapest

    The simple, classy 'Wine Court', where almost five-dozen Hungarian wines are available by the glass and the food – especially duck – is taken pretty…

  • Kiskakukk

    Budapest

    This ever-so-traditional Hungarian eatery with a retro shop sign in front has been serving up classic gulyásleves (hearty beef soup; 1390Ft), veal stew…

  • Aranyszarvas

    Budapest

    Set in an 18th-century inn literally down the steps from the southern end of Castle Hill (views!), the ‘Golden Stag’ serves up some very meaty and unusual…

  • El Asador de Pata Negra

    Erzsébetváros & the Jewish Quarter

    The ever popular Pata Negra tapas mini-chain in Budapest has exchanged small plates for a spit (asador) at this new location and is grilling up a storm…

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