Budapest for Foodies: the Best Restaurants

April 29, 2019
best fine dining budapest eat luxury new york cafe foodie hungary
Hello, my name is Cristina and I am a foodie.
If you follow the blog, you are already familiar with my Madrid for Foodies series (and Instagram account), this time I’m taking you all the way to Hungary for a unique gourmet experience.

One of my favorite things about traveling is the opportunity to try different types of food that are new to me. Hungarian cuisine may not be world-famous, but Budapest has no shortage of amazing restaurants. From the prettiest cafes for fine dining with their rich decor and majestic atmosphere, food trucks and unique bars for a street food experience to rooftop restaurants with amazing views, we are going to see the best restaurants in Budapest.

On this food guide there’s something for everyone. Some of these places are luxury others are cheap. No matter your budget, here you’ll find a Budapest restaurant suitable for you.

If you need an itinerary for Budapest I suggest you read my 48 hours guide. Now, let's see where to eat in Budapest.
best fine dining budapest eat luxury new york cafe foodie hungary
FINE DINING

We were surprised by the amount of majestic cafes Budapest has. This is fine dining to the highest degree. You can have a meal or a sweet treat feeling like royalty. These cafes are a must for foodies and art lovers alike.

New York City Cafe is the self-proclaimed "most beautiful cafe in the world". The decoration is exquisite. It's expensive but a true foodie would can't miss this place. They serve both international and Hungarian cuisine and have a big selection of desserts. We had the traditional Hungarian soup, goulash, a salad and chicken with carrot puree. For dessert we had cheesecake with apricot jam and the New York ice cream cup. Everything was delicious and the service was kind and attentive. There was live music, with a trio of musicians playing at the top of the stairs, and we felt as if we were having lunch in the middle of Vienna New Year's Concert. A truly unforgettable experience. I strongly advise you to make reservations, we had to queue anyways, but you have to wait longer if you haven't booked a table.
Website
best fine dining budapest eat luxury new york cafe foodie hungary
best fine dining budapest eat luxury new york cafe foodie hungary
Gerbeaud Cafe is one of the most famous confectioneries in Hungary. Just like New York Cafe, they do not only serve delicious comfort food but also fish or meat dishes as well as sandwiches and salads. This beautiful cafe opened its doors in 1858 and it's a great place to find gifts to take back home. It's expensive but the price is worth the taste, the elegance and the classic style.
best fine dining budapest eat luxury gerbeaud cafe foodie hungary
best fine dining budapest eat luxury gerbeaud cafe foodie hungary
best fine dining budapest eat luxury gerbeaud cafe foodie hungary
best fine dining budapest eat luxury gerbeaud cafe foodie hungary
Cafe Parisi finishes this trio of majestic cafes of Budapest. This former ballroom reopened recently for us to admire its 19th century frescoes and rich decor.
Website

Simpler but still beautiful cafes include Central Cafe and Vintage Garden.

STREET FOOD AND RUIN BARS
Ruin bars are all the rage in Budapest. They are cool, unique and in the last 15 years have become an attraction just like any other Budapest landmark.
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Mazel Tov is one of the famous Ruin Bars of Budapest but a fancy one. This was our fist time at a Jewish restaurant and we loved the cuisine. They serve Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Israeli dishes. This affordable and cute restaurant has a cool relaxing vibe which makes it so popular. Be sure to book in advance. 
best budapest restaurant eat affordable cheap mediterranean middle eastern israeli cuisine mazel tov ruin bar jewish quarter foodie hungary
best budapest restaurant eat affordable cheap mediterranean middle eastern israeli cuisine mazel tov ruin bar jewish quarter foodie hungary
best budapest restaurant eat affordable cheap mediterranean middle eastern israeli cuisine mazel tov ruin bar jewish quarter foodie hungary
best budapest restaurant eat affordable cheap mediterranean middle eastern israeli cuisine mazel tov ruin bar jewish quarter foodie hungary
best budapest restaurant eat affordable cheap mediterranean middle eastern israeli cuisine mazel tov ruin bar jewish quarter foodie hungary
Most of Budapest's famous ruin bars are inside dilapidated pre-war buildings. The most popular one: Szimpla Kert. Whether you like bars or not, this is a place in Budapest you cannot miss, I'm sure you've never seen anything like it. Szimpla Kert consists of different rooms, all of them with a theme. There's live music and a variety of cocktail bars to order your drink.
Website
best budapest restaurant eat affordable cheap szimpla kert ruin bar jewish quarter foodie hungary
best budapest restaurant eat affordable cheap szimpla kert ruin bar jewish quarter foodie hungary
best budapest restaurant eat affordable cheap szimpla kert ruin bar jewish quarter foodie hungary
If food trucks are your thing, you can't miss Street Food Karavan right next to Szimpla Kert. This alley in the Jewish Quarter offers a selection of different cuisines such as Asian, Italian, Vegan or Hungarian. To put it simply: street food heaven. A great night plan is to grab some food here and then go to Szimpla Kert for drinks.
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best budapest restaurant eat affordable cheap central market foodie hungary
Central Market, a spectacular building where you can find produce on the ground floor and traditional Hungarian products on the top floor. You can grab food to go on some of the food stands and there are restaurants too.
Website
best budapest restaurant eat affordable cheap central market foodie hungary
RESTAURANTS WITH A VIEW
Eating at a beautiful restaurant is just as delightful as eating with a jaw dropping scenery in sight, right?

The view from the rooftop of the President Hotel is breathtaking. Their Bubble Bar has spectacular views of Pest. Their food menu is limited but they have Hungarian favorites like kolbász (sausage) and Hungary's most famous soup, goulash. If it gets cold, you can sit in one of the bubbles, surprisingly they keep you warmer than they look.
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best budapest restaurant eat affordable cheap bubble bar rooftop hotel president foodie hungary kolbasz
best budapest restaurant eat affordable cheap bubble bar rooftop hotel president foodie hungary
Toprum SkyBar on top of the stylish design hotel Rum also offers a magical panoramic view of the Budapest skyline. Thanks to their panorama glass wall, you can enjoy the views all year long.

Last but not least, 360Bar. Mouthwatering Mediterranean food, a wide selection of cocktails and of course, great views.

I hope you enjoyed this foodie guide of where to eat in Budapest. Which type is your favorite: fine dining, food with a view or street food?

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best budapest restaurant eat affordable cheap luxury street food rooftop hotel fine dining cafe foodie hungary