You can’t visit Budapest without tasting Hungarian food. Contrary to popular belief, Hungarian food encompasses much more than goulash and paprika. In reality, the Hungarian culinary scene in Budapest is about to challenge your perceptions of Hungarian cuisine.
When we resided in Budapest, we decided on the best Hungarian food that first-timers should try. You know the ideal combination of OMG-THIS-IS-AMAZING and a central location, allowing you to spend more time seeing the sights rather than navigating buses to restaurants?
In this guide, we’ll share our favorite 5 Hungarian foods in Hungary’s capital, including Cafe Kor and Hungarikum Bizstro, so you may sample the best the country has to offer without wasting a calorie! Let’s get started by creating a video that captures the atmosphere of each location!
Best Hungarian Restaurants in Budapest:
Given that we 1) lived in the city and 2) enjoyed eating, we’ve visited numerous Hungarian eateries in Budapest. However, because this is a first-timer guide, and you probably don’t have limitless days in the city to visit every restaurant or read a guide with 20 selections and try to figure out which ones to prioritize, we did it for you.
While it was extremely difficult, Caleb and I reduced it down to our top five best Hungarian restaurants in Budapest, all of which are located in the city center, allowing you to make the most of your time in Budapest, even if you only have three days. Any of these is an excellent choice for your first time sampling Hungarian cuisine!
01. Cafe Kor
Cafe Kor is our top selection for traditional Hungarian cuisine in Budapest, and you must visit! It’s snug and quiet inside, with a “hidden gem” vibe that’s sophisticated but low-key and unassuming.
You’ll understand what we mean when you go.
Cafe Kor has two menus: one for “always available” meals and a parchment paper menu that varies weekly (accessible on their Facebook page). The menu is extensive, and they provide all of the classics, such as Goulash and duck legs with cabbage, as well as some international dishes with Greek or Asian influences.
It’s the *perfect* place to go if one of you isn’t too confident about the paprika thing going on with Hungarian food and wants something a little “safer,” you know? It also exudes a romantic mood that we love!
We shared the Hungarian beef strips, which had a rich stroganoff flavor and were paired with the crispiest potato croquettes. We also had duck legs with red cabbage, which were incredible, and you received two of them, so it was great value and ideal for sharing as a couple!
The meal here is straightforward and what I anticipate a Hungarian grandmother to offer, not plated with tweezers or strange edible flowers…or very much color in general. It’s comfortable, “beige” food, and we enjoyed every bite.
❤️ ROMANTIC TIP: This location is ideal for a romantic dinner due to its calmer and more cozy atmosphere.
What to order: Their specialty is the incredible duck legs.
📍 Budapest, Sas u. 17, 1051 Hungary
02. Hungarikum Bizstro
When you visit Budapest, you could hear the term “Hungarikums.” This is due to the Hungarikum Act of 2021, which safeguards some of the native products, foods, and inventions that Hungarians take pride in.
Look, you learned something! And you thought you were here to eat.
That is where the term “Hungarikum Bizstro” originates from, and this is a GREAT PLACE TO HAVE FUN. We enjoy eating here because it is very lively, and the staff are like friends. They joke about with you and are always smiling and happy, without it feeling fake or forced.
We especially enjoyed the complimentary smokey bread and bacon to begin your dinner; who knew a small slice of bread could be so memorable? We split the pork loin wrapped in bacon (because, WHY NOT PORK x2). You are in Hungary! Duck legs are served with cabbage. Everything was delicious and perfectly seasoned.
If you’re feeling daring, you can even finish your dinner with a free shot of Palinka, the native spirit. We think it tastes like gasoline, but we’ll never pass up free alcohol. Do you feel us? It’s also a place to get some paprika as a keepsake during your trip to Budapest!
What to order: They’re famous for their pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon, duck legs, and pig knuckle for two (perfect for couples like us!)
📍 Budapest: Steindl Imre u. 13, 1051 Hungary
03. Pörc & Prézli Étterem
Our search for the best Chicken Paprikash (my favorite Hungarian dish) in Budapest brought us to Pörc & Prézli, which did not disappoint.
I had the chicken paprikash, which was honestly the loveliest, nicest-plated chicken paprikash I’ve ever had, and I loved that it came with a giant portion of chicken with skin on, which we don’t often see. It was falling off the bone and served with a generous amount of sour cream (stretchy jeans, y’all. Bring them!) and the chewiest, springiest, egg dumplings. What a beautiful combination.
Caleb ordered the duck legs with cabbage (we adore duck legs, can you tell?) and it came with a cabbage strudel, which we had fell in love with at strudel Hugo. They’re sweet, tangy, and perfectly crunchy! The duck is juicy, crispy, and full of flavor!
You could definitely do this for dinner, but we think “the farm vibe” we received was more lunch-like.
What to order: Their signature dishes are chicken paprikash and Goulash.
📍 Budapest, Lázár u.1, 1065 Hungary
04. Getto Gulyas
This contemporary, sophisticated establishment is arguably the most reasonably priced on the list; it’s not cheap, but it’s an excellent bargain for what you receive and the central location. We had two main courses (two of which were more expensive due to the higher quality of the meat) and a glass of wine for 35 Euros, including tip.
They are well-known for their various stews and have a list of classics that never change, as well as chefs’ rotating menus.
Caleb ordered lamb paprikash with spaetzle, a variation on the traditional chicken paprikash, which featured a thick and creamy sauce that worked nicely with the gamey meat. I got the venison stew with juniper, mushrooms, and bread dumplings, and the sauce was rich and flavorful! We both greatly enjoyed both!
The interior has a wonderful blend of industrial and fancy, and the walls make you feel like you’re inside a shipping container, but not in the “I’ve been kidnapped by a murderer and am being held hostage” sense. The dark, dramatic lighting makes it appear fashionable and romantic!
We’ll add that it was almost entirely touristy here, but the meal was excellent, and we appreciated the atmosphere and cost.
What to order: Goulash or Porkolt (stew) variants!
📍 Budapest, Wesselényi Utca 18, 1077 Hungary
05. Retek Bizstro
Retek Bistro, which means “radish,” is a stunning restaurant with white-brick walls, dark blue accents, and beautiful lights dangling from pasta strainers. Combine that with the many green plants, the homey, cozy atmosphere, and the live pianist playing music, and you’ve got yourself a little romance!
We appreciated how they were one step ahead of us when we casually indicated we would be sharing our dishes since they handed us sharing plates without asking. We had duck leg confit with a Hungarian cheese crepe and beef cheek with roasted vegetable sauce.
Both were wonderful, but the cheek was AMAZING OMG. The meat simply melted in your mouth, and no knife was required. They serve all of the traditional Hungarian dishes, and they even have some recipes displayed on the menu, which adds to the comfortable, domestic atmosphere. We loved it!!
Order beef cheeks, duck legs, or their famous stuffed cabbage.
📍 Budapest, Nádor U. 5, 1051 Hungary
Conclusion:
Yes, tipping is typical in Budapest; we propose 10-12%. However, many restaurants have already included it on the bill, so double-check before tipping! Dinner is normally served between 7 and 9 p.m. in Budapest, so don’t arrive too early if you want to be more authentic!
Now you have all the information and best advice you need for the greatest traditional Hungarian restaurants in Budapest, and you don’t have to sift through a long list or waste time traveling outside of the city center! If you have any questions, please ask in the comments!
[…] had the opportunity to sample practically all of the traditional Hungarian dishes, and we’ve limited it to the absolute best, including chicken paprikash, cabbage strudel, […]