An important thing to note for any trip to Budapest is that it is a city of reservations. You’ll have a hard time getting in to most restaurants without a reservation! It’s kind of a bummer to loose the spontaneity of the meal, but these restaurants are so good it’s worth the trouble!
I primarily ate vegan here and had no issues with the menus. There was always at least an option or two for me to choose from and allergens were clearly marked.
TwentySix
Twentysix got a shout out in my Budapest bar guide for having a spectacular gin and tonic menu.
The restaurant area is in an interior courtyard that is absolutely smothered in plants. It’s a really lush experience, like dining in a greenhouse, but it does get dark at night!
I highly recommend ordering a selection of mezzo. Seriously- the falafel here was the best I’ve ever had, anywhere! All of the mains we tried were excellent as well, but really, get the falafal.
Rézkakas Bistro
Super close to St. Stephen’s Basilica, Rézkakas was the perfect stop after our boat cruise on the Danube.
Don’t get too toasted on the boat, though, this is a classy establishment. They even had a duo playing the violin and cello during our meal!
The menu is Hungarian meets Asian flavors and makes for a really elevated dining experience.
Mazel Tov
Mazel Tov was recommended to us by several people during our visit to Budapest both for its food and its atmosphere.
Upon arriving, it’s hard to ignore the giant tree growing up and out of a glass section of the building. It was really cool and unique, but did make it difficult to air condition the building- something that was noticeable during the heatwave that was our visit.
Located in the Jewish Quarter of Budapest, the menu is heavily inspired by Mediterranean and Israeli cuisine. I got the shakshuka here it was delicious!
Fat Mama
After failing to secure walk-in seats at a different restaurant, we were drawn to Fat Mama’s and its loud music and modern vibe. This restaurant has enough seats, that, though we did have to wait for a table, we weren’t waiting long.
The menu is fairly extensive and varied, with Hungarian food and more European options for everyone- including a decently sized BBQ section.
I also really liked their outdoor section, which was large and away from the street making for a relaxing evening.
Pipa étterem
Located just across the street from Central Market Hall, Pipa étterem is a great option for those looking for a sit down restaurant in the area. This cozy restaurant is decorated like you’re stepping into your family’s home for a meal- and there was plenty of room for us at lunch time, even without a reservation.
You’ll mostly find Hungarian classics here, and there are some vegetarian options as well.
Lángos
Lángos is sort of like Hungarian pizza- except not at all! Fluffy, deep fried flatbread, usually served topped with sour cream and cheese. It’s the perfect street food! You’ll see quite a few places selling lángos in Budapest, but recommend Retro Lángos, which even offers a vegan option.
Chimney Cakes
Hungary’s Chimney Cakes, or Kürtőskalács, are traditional sweet treats where a strip a sweet dough is cooked around a baking spit. A fresh, steaming hot Kürtőskalács resembles a chimney- hence the name.
These treats are traditionally eaten plain, but can be topped with walnuts, cinnamon, and even stuffed with Nutella. Fillings do fall right out the bottom, though, so make sure to grab some napkins. Chimney cakes are originally from the Transylvania part of Hungary, now Romania, but can be found throughout the region. You should have seen the dirty look I got from my tour guide when I mentioned trdelník, the Czech name for the treat!
New York Cafe
New York Cafe gets a lot of its customers purely because of its aesthetic. To be fair, its moniker as “the most beautiful cafe in the world” is well deserved. The interior is fully decked out in Renaissance-style baroque decor. It really is incredible to look at.
The downsides, however, are plentiful. The cafe operates on a first-come first-serve policy (aside from dinnertime), which is great, but its popularity does mean that you’ll be waiting on line no matter when you arrive.
The cafe requires you to pay 7.5 euros per person in addition to the exorbitant cost of the food, and frankly the food was not very good.
Given its popularity, the cafe is extremely crowded at all times and the waitstaff looked actively annoyed at guests leaving their table, which was understandable but unpleasant. Listen- if I’m paying 9 euros for an espresso (plus the table fee!) I’m going to get my money’s worth and explore the cafe a little.
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