Not only is Budapest, the Pearl of the Danube well-known for its thermal baths, magnificent architecture, and vibrant ruin bars, but The capital of Hungary has also become a gastronomic destination with a wide spectrum of eating options fit for any taste and budget.
From creative fusion cuisine to classic Hungarian food, Budapest’s restaurant scene is vibrant and ever-changing.
Being a local foodie has given me great delight in thoroughly exploring the gourmet scene of the city. Here are my carefully selected top 10 Budapest eateries you really should check on your visit here. I’d suggest booking Wizz Airlines flights for comfortable travel. Let’s look at the top eateries:
1. Borkonyha (Wine Kitchen)
Top of our list is the Michelin-starred Borkonyha, a refuge for both wine and culinary enthusiasts. As expected from its name, this sophisticated restaurant deftly combines its creative cuisine with an outstanding wine range. Though the menu is always changing, you should find amazing dishes such as fowl with pearl barley and cherries or lettuce soup with scallops. For those looking for gastronomic perfection, the experience is worth the indulgence even if it is on the more expensive side.
2. Rosenstein
Look no further than Rosenstein to get a real taste of Hungarian and Jewish food. With white tablecloths and energetic servers, this little family-run restaurant presents a pleasant setting. Classic meals cooked to perfection abound on the blackboard menu. Make sure you book as this local favourite fills up fast.
3. Essência
Portuguese chef Tiago and his Hungarian wife Éva developed Essência, which will get the first Michelin star in 2021. Their tasting menu produces distinctive and unforgettable meals by deftly combining Hungarian and Portuguese tastes. Don’t miss their carefully made mangalica pig or the seldom-known octopus meal from Budapest.
4. Mazel Tov
Mazel Tov presents a novel interpretation of Israeli-Mediterranean food in a magnificent glass-roofed patio bursting with vegetation. Their scrumptious falafel burger on sweet potato bread or the delicious chicken shawarma would be best enjoyed in the roomy, breezy environment. Try their fresh, vivid salads and dips especially those with beets and aubergine.
5. Gundel
Without including Gundel, the most famous restaurant in Budapest, no list of the city’s eateries would be complete. Gundel, recently brought back under fresh management, provides what they define as “affordable luxury.” Its proximity to the Zoo and City Park qualifies it as a perfect venue for a memorable lunch or supper. For a taste of Hungarian cooking legacy, don’t miss their Sunday lunch offers.
6. Felix
Felix, housed in a former pumping station for the Royal Palace, blends modern elegance with ancient surroundings. The Terrace of the restaurant provides breathtaking views of Buda Castle. Felix takes great satisfaction in developing a cuisine combining international and Hungarian tastes utilising premium, locally produced foods. Their inventive drinks, large wine selection, and fresh cuisine provide a remarkable dining experience.
7. Tati
Tati, a recent arrival to Budapest’s dining scene, has gained recognition fast for its real farm-to-table philosophy. Most of the materials originate from their own farm just outside the city. Tati has previously been included in the Michelin guide because of Chef Gábor Soóky’s creative interpretation of Hungarian gastronomic legacy. Whether your meal is breakfast or supper, you may expect fresh, inventive cuisine highlighting the finest of the local ingredients.
8. Café Kör
Visit Café Kör to get a sample of traditional Hungarian food in lovely surroundings. Lunchtime business people really like this all-day venue, hence be sure to come early or reserve. A highlight, the daily specialities provide new twists on classic Hungarian cuisine.
9. Babel Budapest
Another Michelin-starred jewel, Babel Budapest offers a distinctive gastronomic trip around the old Austro-Hungarian Empire. Their tasting menu includes Hungarian, Ukrainian, Serbian, Viennese, and Budapest delicacies among other regional cuisine. Babel is a great option for a special event because of the sophisticated surroundings and well-chosen wine combinations.
10. Kőleves Vendéglő
Completing our list is Kőleves Vendéglő, a cherished Jewish-Hungarian restaurant right in the centre of Budapest’s night scene. Six days a week, Kőleves, housed in a structure built in the mid-1800s, provides reasonably priced, excellent lunches and meals. It’s the ideal place to taste classic Hungarian dishes with a contemporary spin in a vibrant setting.
Budapest’s gastronomic landscape is always changing as new eateries like Tati join the ranks of beloved stalwarts. Budapest offers plenty to fulfil every taste sensation whether your appetite is for creative, internationally influenced food or traditional Hungarian delicacies like chicken paprikás and gulyás, beef stew.