I love Eastern European food.
It’s rich, hearty, and full of flavours – perfect for those long, cold winter months.
If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you’ll know how much I love discovering the flavours of a new destination, and Budapest was no different.
You might also like: 10 Essential Tips for Visiting Budapest
If you find yourself in this vibrant corner of Hungary, here are the things you absolutely must eat in Budapest.
Classic Hungarian Food to eat in Budapest
Chicken Paprikash (Paprikás Csirke)
One of Hungary’s most famous cuisines, the name of this tender chicken dish comes from the generous portion of paprika that goes into it. The end result is an ochre coloured, oniony concoction that falls off the bone. It’s served with sour cream and spätzle, which is a pasta-like dumpling.
When I visited Budapest I tried this yummy comfort food at Pest-Buda, a ‘grandma style’ restaurant (according to a local), which I think just means it’s traditional home cooking. In any case, it was hearty and tasty, and in a really cosy setting.
If you find yourself on the Buda side of the Danube, check out Pest-Buda for a traditional chicken paprikash dinner.
Beef Goulash (gulyás)
Another traditional dish, beef goulash is a soup or stew (depending who you ask) made of slow-cooked meat and, as seems to be the way with Hungarian food, plenty of paprika. It’s flavoured with caraway seeds and onions, and also served with dumplings like spätzle.
Apparently this warming dish was once a favourite among Hungarian cowboys, or gulyás (which is how it got its name), but it’s still popular today and can be found in restaurants and bistros all around Budapest.
Want to sample the best flavours of Budapest? Book a Budapest Food Walking Tour!
I sampled a pretty delicious goulash at Opera Café (pictured above), which is a stunning restaurant inside the opulent Opera House on Andrássy Avenue. Not only was my main meal delicious, but the dessert was pretty incredible, too.
But the real winner of the best goulash in Budapest has to be the one served in the restaurant at Baltazár Hotel, a boutique hotel on the Buda side of the city. The goulash was served in a pot, alongside crusty chunks of bread, and it was full of flavour and oh-so hearty!
Meat from the Butcher’s
Butcher’s shops in Budapest aren’t like the ones we are used to in the UK or Australia. They’re not entirely different, either, as you can still buy your fresh meat here. But the main difference is that you can eat your lunch right there at the butcher’s: hot sausages or huge pork knuckles slathered in mustard and served with sauerkraut and potatoes.
It’s not fancy, but it makes for a delicious lunch (as well as an inexpensive one). Try Belvárosi Disznótoros, popular with locals and guaranteed to satisfy even the hungriest traveller.
Lángos
Another Hungarian specialty, which comes from the Hungarian word for flame, láng, this deep fried dough is something everyone has to eat in Budapest!
You can find it at street vendors throughout the city, but my favourite place to eat lángos is at KARAVÁN, a street food courtyard on Kazinczy Street, with vendors selling everything from Thai food burgers made from deep fried cheese.
Obsessed with street food? Try this street food experience (with craft beer tasting)!
For a street food take on a Hungarian classic, look out for Lángos Burger, which does what the name suggests: two slabs of deep fried dough sandwiching meat, onions and sauce. It’s unbelievably tasty, and at just under £4, it’s a total bargain too.
If that’s not your thing, try the deep fried cheese burger at Paneer, and the gluten free sushi burger at Samurice.
Oh, and when you’re full of tasty street food treats, head next door to Szimpla Kert ruin bar for a memorable night out!
Dobos torte
Cafés have a long and rich history in Budapest, with many of the city’s most creative people spending their days in coffee shops, seeing and being seen. Many of the cafés are intricately decorated, serving sweet treats and delicate drinks in long-stemmed flutes.
If you’re stopping for refreshment, make sure you try the multi-layered Dobos torte, with chocolate buttercream between super-thin layers of sponge cake. The whole thing is topped with shiny, solid caramel, and the sides are dipped in chocolate sprinkles or chopped nuts.
Sweet tooth? Try this Hungarian dessert class in Budapest.
It’s undulgently divine, and definitely a must-eat in Budapest.
I recommend visiting Ruszwurm Cafe in Buda for a tasty slice of Dobos torte. Or a slice of something else that’s equally tasty!
Chimney cake (Kürtőskalács)
When I visited Budapest in December a few years ago, these chimney cakes were absolutely everywhere – at all the Christmas markets and food stalls. By February, they were a little harder to track down, but they were thankfully still around.
Although I don’t really understand the point of a cake with a gaping hole in the middle of it, the charcoal-cooked, sugar-dipped, buttery treat is so delicious that I can forgive the strange shape.
Anything hot, freshly-made and sweet is okay by me!
Tokaji
Yeah, I totally slipped a drink into this list. Sorry not sorry.
Tokaji is a sweet, Hungarian wine that is perfect as a dessert wine, bursting with fruity, honey flavours. Although it is usually super sweet, there are drier versions of Tokaji, which means it can be enjoyed with a main meal, or even a cheese.
Mmmm, cheese.
Try Hungarian wine tasting in Budapest.
Bonus drink to try: Pálinka. This traditional Hungarian fruit brandy comes in a wide variety of different flavours, such as cherry, apples and apricots. It’s served like a shot, and is a perfect warming drink on a cold Hungarian evening. Egészségére!
Where to eat and drink in Budapest
So you’ve tried all of the traditional Hungarian dishes in Budapest? Now it’s time to move on to specific locations – restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars that might not serve the most traditional food in Budapest, but which are all well worth a visit!
New York Cafe
Known by some as ‘the most beautiful cafe in the world’, New York Cafe is scattered across four intricately-decorated floors.
The gold that practically drips off every surface would really be more at home in a palace than a dining room, so order a cup of coffee (or a coffee ice cream like the one I ordered, above) and marvel at your surroundings.
Insider tip: the food is pretty pricey and not very good, so don’t bother eating here.
Central Cafe
Less ornate than New York Cafe, Central is still a stunning cafe in Budapest.
It opened in 1887, and is still a popular location for locals and tourists to do some people-watching and indulge in delicious treats.
Learn about the cafe culture of Budapest with this coffee and cake tour.
The Cat Cafe
Honestly, the Cat Cafe in Budapest isn’t even a great cafe.
The drinks aren’t very good and there’s no real atmosphere.
BUT THERE ARE CATS. I repeat: there are CATS! This is not a drill, folks. Grab a cat-puccino (for reals) and work yourself into a frenzy over the cat that looks exactly like O2’s be more dog feline. Emily, this one’s for you:
Spíler
This gastropub is so good that I’ve now been three times (two nights in a row on one trip)! Located in the trendy Jewish Quarter of the city, this venue is buzzy, the food is tasty and affordable – it’s the perfect spot for a casual meal before exploring some of the surrounding bars.
Ébresztő
Located on the lovely Pozsonyi Road, Ébresztő is a trendy cafe and gift shop serving specialty coffee in the cutest cups in town!
Jardin Bar
Right around the corner from Spíler is Jardin Bar, a cocktail bar oozing style and sophistication. Expect overpriced but theatrically-served and delicious cocktails in a designer setting – the kind of place you could easily settle into for the night!
Gelarto Rosa
As a tourist in Budapest, you’ll probably find yourself admiring St. Stephen’s Basilica from Szent István Square. While you’re there, make sure you pop into Gelarto Rosa for the most beautiful gelato you’ve ever seen.
As well as being shaped like a rose, this gelato is also delicious, making it the perfect on-the-go treat!
Zeller Bistro
This restaurant pops up time and time again in lists of best places to eat in Budapest, and for great reason. It’s laid-back, the food is simple and delicious, and they greet you with a glass of elderflower champagne, so it basically ticks all of the boxes. Make sure you book ahead, as Zeller Bistro is always full!
High Note SkyBar
There are few things better than a rooftop bar on a sunny day, and one that sits in the shadow of St. Stephen’s Basilica is even better! High Note SkyBar, on the top of the trendy Aria Hotel. With comfy lounges and greenery, a great cocktail and wine list, and one of the best views in town, there’s a good reason why it can be hard to get in here on sunny days.
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I’ve pinned this as Budapest has been on my wishlist for far too long!
Yay! Hope you get there soon :-)
What a great list! We had a couple of the desserts on your list when we were there in December. So good!!
The desserts there are delicious, aren’t they?!