Traditional food in Budapest is some of the best I have ever tasted! I can’t get enough chicken paprikash, goulash, beef stew and sweet and savoury pancakes.
If you are travelling solo to Budapest and need food suggestions, youare in the right place. I put together a Budapest food guide for anyone looking for new food to try in Budapest. From street food to Hungary’s national dishes and what to drink in Budapest – I got it all!
So, go on a culinary journey in Budapest by following my food guide and find out exactly what to eat in Budapest and where to find all the must-try food in Budapest.
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Tips for Eating the Best Budapest Food
Before trying some of the must-try food in Budapest, check out my post on the Budapest solo travel guide, especially if this is your first time in the city.
Here are a few additional tips for trying some of the best Budapest must-eats:
- Bring your credit card, as many places accept credit cards only.
- Bring cash, as a handful of cafes and bakeries only accept cash.
- Tip about 10% of your bill or more if the service is good. You must tip in cash if you are paying with a credit card.
- Traditional Hungarian food in Budapest offers a wide variety of meat options. Most starters and main dishes have different types of meat protein.
- Excellent options for vegetarians and vegans are available as well. Some soups, sides and main dishes are made with vegetables only. Check the restaurant menu before you go.
What to Eat in Budapest Hungary: Summary
See the summary of the best food to eat in Budapest below. This is a quick guide for you when searching for what to eat in Budapest.
Scrolling down further, you’ll find a more detailed explanation and photos for each Budapest food, along with information on where to find the local specialty.
Here is a quick summary of the 26 best food in Budapest:
Hungarian Pastries
- Kakaós Csiga – Hungarian chocolate roll
- Kürtőskalács – aka “Chimney Cake”
Budapest Local Food and Starters
- Gulyás – Hungarian goulash: Hungary’s national dish
- Lángos – Hungarian fried bread
- Hortobágyi Palacsinta – Hungarian meat pancake
- Kolbász – Hungarian traditional sausage
Budapest Traditional Food
- Paprikás Csirke – chicken paprikash
- Pörkölt – Hungarian beef stew
- Lecsó – Hungarian tomato pepper stew
- Töltött Káposzta – Hungarian stuffed cabbage rolls
Hungarian Desserts
- Dobos Torta – Hungarian’s famous sponge cake with chocolate cream and caramel
- Esterházy Torta – Hungarian layered cream cake
- Ruszwurm cream cake – egg cream cake exclusively sold at Cafe Ruszwurm
- Flódni – traditional Hungarian Jewish cake
- Palascinta – Hungarian sweet pancake
- Gundel Palacsinta – Hungarian pancake a la Gundel
- Somlói Galuska – Hungarian sponge cake
- Túrógombóc – Hungarian cottage cheese dumplings
- Rétes – Hungarian strudel
- Gelato – Italian-styled ice cream
Hungarian Beverages
- Lemonade – fresh Hungarian lemonade
- Sör – Hungarian beer
- Tokaji wine – wine from Hungary’s best wine region
- Fröccs – or spritzer (wine and soda water)
- Pálinka – fruit brandy
- Unicum – Hungarian herbal liquor
Hungarian Pastries in Budapest
1. Kakaós Csiga
What is Kakaós Csiga: Hungarian chocolate roll. It is made with buttery puff pastry with cocoa cream rolled into the shape of a snail (it is called “cocoa snail”). It has the flakiness of a croissant and tastes divine. There are other flavours like hazelnut and walnut, but chocolate has to be the best! Eat this as breakfast or as a snack.
Best restaurants in Budapest serving Kakaós Csiga: Artizán Bakery and other bakeries
2. Kürtőskalács
What is Kürtőskalács: aka “Chimney Cake”. It starts with sweet yeast dough wrapped in a cone-shaped baking spit and cooked over charcoal. Then various toppings are added to the sweet bread. Try cinnamon powder, the most popular topping, or have it with soft-serve ice cream. This sweet treat originated in Transylvania, but you can find it anywhere in Budapest.
Where to eat Kürtőskalács in Budapest: Molnár’s Kürtőskalács and other chimney cake food stalls around the city
Budapest Local Food and Starters
1. Gulyás
What is Gulyás: Hungarian goulash. Hungary’s national dish is a thick soup or stew made with beef, potatoes, carrots, and seasoned with paprika and other spices. If there is only one dish you must eat in Budapest, this is it! Every Hungarian restaurant in Budapest serves this local specialty. Eat it with bread and some additional spice if you dare (it’s super spicy!)
Best restaurants in Budapest serving Gulyás: Karaván Street Food, Central Market Hall, Gettó Gulyás, Retek Bisztro, Pörc & Prézli Étterem, Kisharang Étkezde, Hungarikum Bisztró, Ildikó Konyhája, Korhely Faloda & Daloda, Kispiac Bisztró, Róma Ételbár, Kiskakukk Restaurant, Frici Papa, Terv Bisztró
2. Lángos
What is Lángos: Hungarian fried bread. This Budapest street food is typically topped with sour cream and cheese. But many food vendors and restaurants in Budapest serve langos in various ways, including flatbread with different toppings or using two smaller langos to make a burger.
Where to eat Lángos in Budapest: Karaván Street Food, Retró Lángos Budapest, Central Market Hall, Retek Bisztro, Korhely Faloda & Daloda and other fast food places
3. Hortobágyi Palacsinta
What is Hortobágyi Palacsinta: Hungarian meat pancake. This savoury pancake starts with paprikash stewed meat (usually chicken or veal), wrapped in a thin crepe, while a paprika sour cream sauce is poured on top. It is an excellent appetizer or a small meal if you are not too hungry.
Best restaurants in Budapest serving Hortobágyi Palacsinta: Retek Bisztro, Pörc & Prézli Étterem, Kisharang Étkezde, Hungarikum Bisztró, Kiskakukk Restaurant, Terv Bisztró
4. Kolbász
What is Kolbász: Hungarian traditional sausage made with ground pork, beef, lamb, bacon, paprika, garlic, pepper, nutmeg and local spices. Whether baked, boiled, dried, or smoked, the Hungarian sausage pairs well with mustard and bread, which is usually how it is eaten in Budapest.
Where to eat Kolbász in Budapest: Belvárosi Disznótoros, Central market Hall, Terv Bisztró
Best Food in Budapest: Traditional Hungarian Food
1. Paprikás Csirke
What is Paprikás Csirke: Chicken Paprikash is a classic Hungarian main dish that you can find anywhere in Budapest. It is made with stewed chicken and lots of paprika and served with nokedli or spätzle (Hungarian dumplings) and sour cream. There are variations of paprikash, like veal and even catfish. But the chicken is a classic, simple dish that’s super flavourful.
Best restaurants in Budapest serving Paprikás Csirke: Central Market Hall, Gettó Gulyás, Retek Bisztro, Pörc & Prézli Étterem, Ildikó Konyhája, Frici Papa, Terv Bisztró
2. Pörkölt
What is Pörkölt: Hungarian beef stew with vegetables and sweet paprika. Beef is the most popular ingredient, but some restaurants make the stew with duck, pork, or other gamey meat. Like chicken paprikash, this beef stew dish is served with nokedli or spätzle (Hungarian dumplings).
Where to eat Pörkölt in Budapest: Central market Hall, Retek Bisztro, Kisharang Étkezde, Hungarikum Bisztró, Ildikó Konyhája, Róma Ételbár, Terv Bisztró
3. Lecsó
What is Lecsó: Hungarian tomato pepper stew made with peppers, tomato, onion and, of course, paprika. It is typically a vegetarian dish, but some restaurants in Budapest might add kolbász and/or eggs. Add some homemade bread, and you’ve got yourself a solid meal.
Best restaurants in Budapest serving Lecsó: Gettó Gulyás, Retek Bisztro, Korhely Faloda & Daloda, Róma Ételbár
4. Töltött Káposzta
What is Töltött Káposzta: Hungarian stuffed cabbage rolls start with minced pork, beef, egg, rice and paprika, and everything is wrapped in sauerkraut cabbage and baked to perfection. This is a traditional dish for Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Hungary, but you can find it in some restaurants in Budapest throughout the year.
Where to eat Töltött Káposzta in Budapest: Central market Hall, Retek Bisztro, Hungarikum Bisztró, Kiskakukk Restaurant
Hungarian Desserts
1, 2, 3 & 4. Hungarian cakes: Dobos Torta, Esterhazy Torte, Ruszwurm cream cake, Flodni
What is Dobos Torta: or Dobosh, Hungary’s famous six-layer sponge cake with five layers of chocolate cream and a hard caramel top. There’s a hint of hazelnut flavour, a must-try in Budapest.
What is Esterházy Torta: Hungarian layered cream cake with cognac or vanilla buttercream and layers of almond or walnut sponge cake, covered with white fondant glaze and chocolate.
What is Ruszwurm cream cake: Hungarian egg cream cake with thin layers of pastry on top and bottom. Exclusively sold at Café Ruszwurm.
What is Flódni: a traditional Hungarian Jewish cake. There are four layers of flavours: plum jam, walnut, apple, and poppy seed. A layer of sweet pastry separates each flavour.
Best restaurants in Budapest serving Hungarian cakes: Ruszwurm Confectionery, Auguszt Cukrászda Belváros, Libamáj Brunch & Kemenes Cukrászda and other traditional cafes
5 & 6. Hungarian pancakes: Palascinta and Gundel Palacsinta
What is Palacsinta: Hungarian sweet pancakes with cocoa, apricot or strawberry jam, cottage cheese, or poppy seed. The filling is placed on a thin crepe, rolled and sprinkled with powdered sugar.
What is Gundel Palacsinta: Hungarian pancake a la Gundel is a sweet crepe filled with ground walnuts, raisins and rum in chocolate sauce. Then it is covered with a dark chocolate sauce.
Where to eat Hungarian pancakes in Budapest: Kisharang Étkezde, Hungarikum Bisztró, Ildikó Konyhája, Frici Papa, Terv Bisztró
7. Somloi Galuska
What is Somlói Galuska: Hungarian sponge cake. Three flavoured (walnut, cocoa, and plain) sponge cakes, custard cream, and raisins soaked in rum are scooped into a bowl. Then it is topped with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Think of it as a Hungarian trifle.
Best restaurants in Budapest serving Somlói Galuska: Ruszwurm Confectionery, Gettó Gulyás, Pörc & Prézli Étterem, Hungarikum Bisztró, Ildikó Konyhája, Kiskakukk Restaurant, Terv Bisztró
8. Túrógombóc
What is Túrógombóc: Hungarian cottage cheese dumplings. They are made with cottage cheese shaped into a ball and boiled in water. Then the dumplings are covered with breadcrumbs, powdered sugar and sour cream sauce.
Where to eat Túrógombóc in Budapest: Gettó Gulyás, Kisharang Étkezde, Róma Ételbár, Kiskakukk Restaurant
9. Rétes
What is Rétes: Hungarian strudel, a layered pastry filled with sweet or savoury fillings. Choose sweet flavours like sour cherry, apricot, plum, poppy seed, walnut or savoury flavours like cabbage, pumpkin or meat. If it is your first time trying, go for the classic apple strudel.
Best restaurants in Budapest serving Rétes: Ruszwurm Confectionery, Pörc & Prézli Étterem, Studel House, and some cafes in Budapest
10. Gelato
What is Gelato: Italian-styled ice cream that is popular not just in Budapest but all over the world. I include gelato in this food guide because at Gelarto Rosa, each ice cream cone is shaped into a beautiful rose. I mean, look at the photo below! Also, they have unique flavours like lavender, white chocolate, strawberry-elderflower, basil lemon, sour cherry soup, and poppy.
Where to eat Gelato in Budapest: Gelarto Rosa
Hungarian Beverages
1. Lemonade
What is Lemonade: Hungarian lemonade is made with fresh lemons, soda, and water. The final concoction is infused with a variety of flavours, including strawberry, blueberry, lemongrass, orange, lime, and mint. Best non-alcoholic drink in Budapest.
Where to drink Lemonade in Budapest: most Hungarian cafes and restaurants
2. Sör
What is Sör: Hungarian beer. Although Hungary is not known for beer, it offers a wide variety, including everyday beers like Soproni or Dreher. Or find fancy Hungarian craft beers at bars and restaurants. And try these special Hungarian beers like Szilvás (plum), Meggysör (cherry), and Málinás búzasör (raspberry).
Where to drink Sör in Budapest: Hungarian cafes, restaurants, and bars and can be purchased from supermarkets and convenience stores
3 & 4. Hungarian wine: Tokaji Wine and Fröccs
What is Tokaji wine: Tokaji is Hungary’s most renowned wine region. The region produces white wine and dessert wine made from furmint grapes.
What is Fröccs: it is also known as a spritzer, which is a mixture of white or rosé wine and soda water. It is typically a summer drink, but you can find it anytime in Budapest. There are different types of fröccs. The most common are small fröccs (1 wine: 1 soda ratio) and big fröccs (2 wine: 1 soda ratio).
Where to drink Hungarian wine in Budapest: most Hungarian cafes and restaurants
5 & 6. Spirits and liqueurs: Pálinka and Unicum
What is Pálinka: strong fruit brandy distilled from various fermented fruits such as ágyas szilva (plum), kajszibarack (apricot) or meggypálinka (sour cherry). Sip it slowly as an aperitif or digestif.
What is Unicum: Hungarian herbal liquor made with 40 types of herbs and spices. The final blend is herbal and bittersweet in flavour. Sip it as an aperitif or digestif.
Where to drink spirits and liqueurs in Budapest: most Hungarian cafes and restaurants, and they can be purchased at supermarkets and convenience stores
Where to Eat Traditional Hungarian Food in Budapest
Now that you know more about what to drink and eat in Budapest, let’s dive right into all the best places you can find this traditional Hungarian food.
Below is a list of the best places to eat in Budapest. And you can find all the must-eat in Budapest mentioned above in all of these food outlets and restaurants in Budapest.
To find the location for these Budapest restaurants, click on the restaurant name, which will bring you to the exact location on Google Maps.
20 Best Restaurants in Budapest Hungary
Budapest Cafes and Bakery
If you have a sweet tooth, then you are in luck. Hungarian baked goods are a big part of breakfast and snacks. And not to mention the variety of cakes.
Bakeries and stand-alone food outlets are found all over Budapest. Here are some of my favourite bakeries, cafes and gelato shops:
- Artizán Bakery (7am-6pm Monday to Friday; 7:30am-1:30pm Saturdays; closed Sundays) – a popular bakery cafe that bakes various pastries daily. Go early, they sell out quickly.
- Molnár’s Kürtőskalács (9am-8pm) – they only sell chimney cakes, but they have lots of variety.
- Ruszwurm Confectionery (10am-7pm) – founded in 1827, this is one of Budapest’s oldest cafes. Sit inside the quaint cafe or outside on the patio.
- Auguszt Cukrászda Belváros (10am-6pm; closed Mondays & Sundays) – a traditional Hungarian cafe serving many types of cakes.
- Gelarto Rosa (10am-9pm) – popular handmade artisanal gelato shop in Budapest. Go to the location north of St. Stephen’s Basilica. It is not as busy.
Budapest Fast Food Restaurants
If you’re new to Budapest and unsure what to try, start with Central Market Hall. There is a variety of produce and cooked food in the market, and food souvenirs that you can bring home.
Some of the best food in Budapest is smaller in portions, which can be found at fast food joints and Street Food Karavan Budapest. These places are excellent for a light lunch, snack, or simply just trying out local Budapest cuisine.
- Central Market Hall (6am-6pm Monday to Friday; 6am-4pm Saturdays; 10am-4pm Sundays) – an indoor market with fresh produce vendors on the ground floor and fast food vendors on the upper floor.
- Street Food Karavan Budapest (11:30-12am) – modern food stalls serving Budapest cuisine in an open passage. Sitting area is available.
- Retró Lángos Budapest (11am-10pm) – restaurant specializes in langos with outdoor seating.
- Belvárosi Disznótoros (11am-8pm Monday to Friday; 12-10pm Saturdays; 12-8pm Sundays) – a fast food joint serving many types of grilled meats.
Best Restaurants in Budapest serving Hungarian cuisine
If you are only spending a few days in Budapest, you have to eat at the restaurants in my must-try section (and in the order from top to bottom). They all serve traditional Hungarian food. I highly recommend them because the food is super tasty and prices are affordable.
Must-try Restaurants in Budapest
- Gettó Gulyás (12-11pm) – my favourite Hungarian restaurant in Budapest. I went at least four times. Everything on the menu is excellent.
- Pörc & Prézli Étterem (12-11:30pm) – cozy Hungarian restaurant with live music.
- Kiskakukk Restaurant (12-11pm) – a traditional restaurant that has been around since 1913.
- Ildikó Konyhája (11:30am-8pm; closed Sundays) – a small restaurant on the Buda side serving delicious homemade classic Hungarian dishes.
- Hungarikum Bisztró (12-2:30pm & 6-10pm) – a bit touristy, but they serve several Hungarian classics. They give you a free shot of pálinka after your meal.
- Retek Bisztro (12-4pm & 6-10pm) – a cute Hungarian bistro, but you may want to call ahead first. They also give you a free shot of pálinka.
Casual Cafes and Diners
- Terv Bisztró (12-10pm) – a hip cafe with cool vibes and good Hungarian food.
- Kisharang Étkezde (11:30am-10pm) – a small restaurant serving homemade Hungarian food.
- Frici Papa (11am-10pm; closed Sundays) – a cheap Hungarian restaurant frequented by locals.
- Korhely Faloda & Daloda (12pm-12am) – try different Hungarian dishes at this large alfresco restaurant.
- Róma Ételbár (11am-4pm) – a local Hungarian restaurant on the Buda side with daily specials.
What and where are you going to eat in Budapest?
There are so many exciting things to eat in Budapest! If you are travelling solo to Budapest for a few days, you can easily try many local foods in Budapest, especially when you combine a few in one meal.
I hope you found this food guide helpful for creating your culinary journey in Budapest. I ate at every single one of these restaurants and highly recommend them all.
And now the big question is – which must-eat Budapest food are you interested in trying? Let me know in the comments.
Ready to plan your trip to Hungary? Here are some of my go-to travel planning resources:
* Book your flight: find flight deals on Skyscanner
* Book accommodation: find the best accommodations in Hungary on Agoda or Booking
* Buy insurance: Safetywing is my go-to provider for travel insurance, as it covers many things. I will never travel without the Nomad Insurance Package because it protects me against unforeseen events. Get a quote today.
* Order a SIM card: order a SIM card in advance and set up your mobile phone before arriving at your destination.
* Join tours: check Get Your Guide and Klook for the best tours around Hungary.
Thank you for reading my Budapest Food Guide
For more travel inspiration, check out my Hungary page for posts on solo travel in Hungary. Here are some posts you might enjoy.
Hungary posts:
- Budapest Solo Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors
- Visegrád Day Trip: how to get there and what to do
- Esztergom Day Tip: how to get there and itinerary
Food around the world:
- Vienna food guide: must-try food
- Bucharest Food Guide: What to eat in Bucharest
- Where and what to eat in Sofia: Best Restaurants
- Porto Food Guide: what and where to eat in Porto
- 21 must-eat food in Singapore
- Where to eat Michelin star street food in Singapore
- Traditional Hong Kong food: Where and What to Eat
- Okinawa food guide: 26 best food
- Tokyo Food Guide: 42 best places to eat in Tokyo
- 22 must-eat food in Taiwan
- Ximending food for foodies travelling to Taipei
- Taiwan 7-11 food: 10 must-eat
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Hi, my name is Queenie, and I’ve been a solo traveller for 20+ years and currently based in Hong Kong. Follow me on my adventures through Instagram and my blog!
