The best Greek restaurants in Budapest

What is it? A traditional Greek restaurant on the Danube embankment, with a classic taverna atmosphere, a generous menu and a strong seafood selection.

Why we love it Dionysos is a long-established fixture among Greek restaurants in Budapest, and it doesn’t even try to hide it. It doesn’t modernize itself too much, it doesn’t want to be trendy at all costs, but rather brings exactly the classic, generous taverna experience that many people are looking for: blue-and-white interior, attentive service, large portions and an atmosphere that works well with larger groups. In addition to grilled meats, fish and seafood also play a major role on the menu, which is still a rare experience in Budapest.

Time Out tip: On Wednesdays, they hold musical evenings called Greek Corner, with live music, singing and dancing, for the full taverna experience.

Address: Belgrád rakpart 16, 1056 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily noon-midnight

Expect to pay: Black mussels with white wine or tomato Ft 7,700 (€21.40). Moussaka Ft 8,100 (€22.50)

What is it? A new-wave Greek bistro near Parliament, where classic dishes are brought to the table in a modern, shared form.

Why we love it Mazi is definitely not street food, but rather a casual yet sophisticated Greek restaurant where communal dining is the main focus. The menu is based on the culture of meze, so you don’t necessarily have to think about a single main course here: it’s much better to order several smaller courses and share everything with each other. The seafood and grilled meats are particularly strong, and the smart space and Mediterranean atmosphere create a leisurely, conversational dining experience.

Time Out tip: Start with tzatziki and pita, ask for saganaki or grilled halloumi on the side, and then add grilled octopus or lamb. For the best experience, order several meze for the middle of the table and sample them throughout the evening.

Address: Alkotmány utca 19, 1054 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily noon-11pm

Expect to pay: Tzatziki Ft 1,800 (€5). Fava beans Ft 1,650 (€4.60). Grilled octopus Ft 6,900 (€19.25)

What is it? A modern Greek street-food chain with several locations in Budapest, serving pita, souvlaki, salad bowls and classic Greek dishes in a smart, contemporary form.

Why we love it There’s a personal story behind Blue Agori: owner Koranis Stavros is reimagining the basic experience of Greek family cooking in Budapest and translating it into the language of urban street food. The concept consciously strays from what you might expect, with an emphasis on the modern, on quality ingredients, proportions and well-chosen flavours. The meat is marinated over some time, some of the spices come from Greece and the sauces are made in-house, which makes it all fast, casual and reliably good at the same time.

Time Out tip: Of the several locations, the one near the Basilica is the most lively, while the Blue Agori in Buda or on Tűzoltó utca can be a more relaxed option for a relaxed lunch or dinner.

Addresses & opening hours: Hercegprímás utca 4, 1051 Budapest (Mon-Fri 11.30am-10pm, Sat-Sun noon-10pm); Madách Imre út 1, 1075 Budapest (Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat-Sun noon-10pm); Margit körút 62, 1027 Budapest (daily 11am-10pm); Tűzoltó utca 33A, 1094 Budapest (Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat-Sun noon-10pm)

Expect to pay: Kebab in pita Ft 2,490 (€7). Kebab bowl Ft 3,990 (€11). Bulgur salad Ft 1,990 (€5.50)

What is it? A downtown Greek restaurant on Arany János utca, serving classic dishes, seafood, lamb and a wide selection of wines.

Why we love it Mythos is a more traditional Greek restaurant that doesn’t overthink things, but rather builds on the familiar basics. The menu features the must-have Greek favourites, fish and lamb dishes, as well as simpler dishes where the quality of the ingredients really matters. Many of these ingredients come from Greece, as do the chefs, which gives the place a more authentic character. The blue-and-white interior creates a classic Mediterranean atmosphere, and Mythos is more suited to a longer, more intimate dinner than a quick downtown stop.

Time Out tip: It’s also worth opening up to Greek wines: the selection has been put together in such a way that you can easily find a good pairing with the dishes. If you’re looking for something a little more special, ask about Assyrtiko, Moschofilero, Agiorgitiko or Xinomavro.

Address: Arany János utca 17, 1051 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily noon-midnight

Expect to pay: Pickled octopus Ft 4,290 (€12). Black mussels braised in white wine Ft 3,890 (€10.80). Skewered pork with potatoes and tzatziki Ft 6,490 (€18)

What is it? Greek food trucks sit at two permanent locations in Óbuda, in hilly Hűvösvölgy in Buda –recently they have a food bar at Oktogon. What all of their outlets have in common are fresh pita, kebabs and simple, quick Greek dishes.

Why we love it Meraki doesn't want to be anything more than a well-functioning Greek street-food spot, and that's exactly what's good about it. It serves from a small but well-chosen menu quickly and with reliable quality. The pita is fresh, the meat flavourful and the fries are included in the sandwich, as is often the case at similar places in Athens.

Time Out tip: The chicken kebab pita is one of the most popular choices, but if you're looking for a heartier lunch, ask for it on a plate. Look out for their trucks at festivals.

Addresses: Hűvösvölgyi út 132, 1021 Budapest; Kolosy tér 3, 1036 Budapest; Teréz körút 27, 1067 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily 11am-9pm

Expect to pay: Meraki kebabs Ft 2,000 (€5.60). Bifteki kebabs Ft 2,600 (€7.25). Halloumi kebabs Ft 2,200 (€6.15)

What is it? A Greek grill restaurant on main Fehérvári út in Buda, where kebabs, souvlaki, bifteki and charcoal-grilled meats are served.

Why we love it Floga is not your typical kebab joint, but rather a small, no-frills grill place, where street food and more classic Greek dishes are also served. The main difference is that they grill more of everything over charcoal, so the experience is not just based on meat cut from the skewer. The menu is wider than many similar Greek places: souvlaki, bifteki and various fish dishes are also on the menu. The portions are particularly generous, and the plates are properly loaded with meat, potatoes and salad – which is one of the reasons why it is a big favourite in the area.

Time Out tip: It’s worth trying the souvlaki or bifteki, because they really show what the grill can do and how much charcoal grilling adds to flavour.

Address: Fehérvári út 48, 1117 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am-pm. Closed Sun

Expect to pay: Kebabs in pita Ft 2,390 (€6.70). Falafel in pita Ft 2,390 (€6.70). Chicken breast souvlaki Ft 2,390 (€6.70)