The best Hungarian restaurants in Budapest

What is it? Run by generations of the same family, tucked down a non-descript sidestreet near Keleti station, Rosenstein showcases the Jewish influences on the cuisine of Budapest while still serving the classics of the Hungarian kitchen.

Why we love it A chalkboard-menu restaurant featuring tables with white tablecloths, bare brick walls and waiters who always seem to be rushed off their feet. Rosenstein is Jewish and Hungarian cuisine at its finest – for which you should definitely book. 

Time Out tip: Look out for the weekday deals Mon-Thur at Ft 4,800 (€12), currently featuring an unbeatable stuffed cabbage (töltött káposzta) on a Wednesday. If you're here on a Friday or Saturday, then cholent is the classic example of Jewish Budapest cuisine at Ft 5,700 (€14.25) 

Address: Mosonyi utca 3,1087 Budapest

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

Expect to pay: Pan-fried goose liver in Tokaji sauce Ft 12,000 (€30). Pike-perch fillet cooked in its own skin with teriyaki sauce and fresh mixed salad Ft 6,700 (€16.75)

What is it? Marking its 30th anniversary in 2025, the Café Kör has maintained the consistently high quality of its Hungarian menu, scrawled on a large white sheet of paper on the wall. Dishes change according to season and availability.

Why we love it In the city’s hub of upscale gastronomy, the popular Café Kör remains informal despite being particularly busy at lunchtimes when the business crowd flocks here from nearby offices.

Time Out tip: During the week, make a reservation or get here as close to noon as you can – daily specials are served only until they run out.

Address: Sas utca 17, 1051 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Sat noon-10pm. Closed Sun

Expect to pay: Baked leg of lamb with steamed cabbage Ft 6,590 (€16.50). Grilled salmon in Hollandaise sauce with croquettes Ft 6,490 (€16.25)

What is it? All the rage when Liszt Ferenc tér was the destination to locate your Budapest business some 25 years ago, retro-fitted Menza has withstood its slow decline to up its game in the kitchen and fill the place with regulars and tourists every single day.

Why we love it Whether you’re here for the weekly changing daily menu, the weekly suggestions or the regular selection, you should enter expectant and leave satisfied. ‘Canteen’ is also one of the rare places in Budapest to offer lecsó, a stew of tomatoes and peppers that every Hungarian grandmother makes but few restaurant kitchens bother with.

Time Out tip: If you liked what you’ve consumed, Menza produces its own cookbook, available in English from the cashier’s desk.

Address: Liszt Ferenc tér 2, 1061 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily 11am-11pm

Expect to pay: Lecsó stew Ft 3,490 (€8.75). Honey-mustard mangalica pork fried in duck fat Ft 5,990 (€15)

What is it? The key is in the name: ‘Wine Kitchen’ pairs inventive domestic dishes with specific Hungarian wines, regularly earning a Michelin star for its efforts.

Why we love it The day that the news came through that Borkonyha had first won an unexpected Michelin star, moments after the celebrations had died down, the realisation hit that they now had to maintain the same standard to keep it. Although a visit here won’t be the cheapest meal of your Budapest break, it’s hard not to be impressed by what’s available on Borkonyha's five-course and à la carte lists, whether the lettuce soup with scallops or quail with pearl barley and cranberries. Open evenings only during the week.

Time Out tip: Borkonyha now operates an online table-reservation service, requiring a payment of Ft 20,000 (€50), to be set against your final bill. Note that the restaurant closes on Sundays.

Address: Sas utca 3, 1051 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 6pm-midnight, Sat noon-midnight. Closed Sun

Expect to pay: Starter of duck liver, beetroot and lavender Ft 9,350 (€23.50). main of mangalica pork, noodles and sage Ft 11,450 (€28.75)

What is it? Rather than the kitchen of modern-day Hungary, this Michelin-starred beacon of fine dining slap in the city centre, showcases the range of dishes you may have found across Austro-Hungary, the empire that encompassed Transylvania, and parts of Ukraine and Serbia.

Why we love it To experience what a broad culinary region the former Austro-Hungarian Empire was, where Ukrainian and Serbian dishes combine with Viennese and Budapest favourites in a series of servings with wine pairings. Babel's surroundings are equally elegant.

Time Out tip: Lauded by Decanter magazine, Babel is known for its wine pairings, expertly directed by the head sommelier – place your trust in their sound advice.

Address: Piarista köz 2, 1052 Budapest

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 5.30pm-midnight. Closed Mon, Sun

Expect to pay: Thirteen-course menu Ft 69,000 (€173) plus drink pairings. Eight-course menu Ft 55,000 (€138) plus drink pairings

What is it? Acclaimed chef Dániel Bernát works in the Hungarian gastronomic vernacular but is by no means confined by its limitations, offering Szaletly’s many regulars variety in an elegant corner of Zugló near City Park.

Why we love it In light, airy surroundings, you can sample the finest domestic ingredients inventively paired and immaculately presented. This prominent corner building operated as a restaurant back in 1907 and the sympathetic owners are more than aware of its heritage.

Time Out tip: Watch out for the regularly changing chef's suggestions - but do leave room for the extraordinary range of ice cream.

Address: Stefánia út 93, 1146 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily noon-11pm

Expect to pay: Five-course tasting menu: Ft 18,900 (€47.50); with wine pairings Ft 9,900 (€25) extra. À la carte: Lamb steak with potato stew Ft 13,990 (€35)

What is it? This gastronomic legend not only represent the Golden Age of Hungarian cuisine 125 years ago, it effectively created it thanks to the foresight of a unique culinary dynasty. Recently revived under new ownership in thrall to Gundel’s gilded heritage.

Why we love it To dine where the Queen once did, while enjoying what the incoming management terms ‘affordable luxury’, with particular reference to their Sunday lunchtime deals. Gundel's location beside City Park and next door to the Zoo lends itself to making a day of it, although prices for the classic main courses are by no means outrageous, whichever day of the week you visit.

Time Out tip: Practically every Hungarian restaurant in Hungary includes Gundel pancakes on its menu – which makes this rich dessert of chocolate glaze, lightly roasted chopped walnuts and fresh orange peel a must-try here.

Address: Gundel Károly út 4, 1146 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily 11.30am-10pm

Expect to pay: Újházi chicken soup Ft 3,500 (€8.80). Brassói-style tenderloin Ft 8,750 (€22)

What is it? From the beginning, culinary duo Tamás Széll and Szabina Szulló have aimed to show the beauty and diversity of Hungarian cuisine, their work recognised by Michelin, who bestowed Stand with a second star in 2022.

Why we love it While top-notch and frighteningly expensive for Budapest, Stand remains informal, providing a relaxed dining experience within a short walk of the Opera House.

Time Out tip: Sister restaurant Stand25 allows you to sample regular Hungarian dishes at regular prices at the foot of Buda Castle.

Address: Székely Mihály utca 2, 1061 Budapest

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 6pm-midnight. Closed Mon, Sun

Expect to pay: Chef's menu (a dozen or so courses according to choice) Ft 89,500 (€225). Vegetarian tasting menu Ft 89,500 (€225)

What is it? A tourist-friendly restaurant near the Great Synagogue in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, Gettó Gulyás gets its name from the history of its location and the iconic Hungarian dish so many visitors seek – although other Magyar classics appear on its concise menu.

Why we love it Deep in tourist central, Gettó Gulyás could charge far more than they do – you’re paying regular prices for Hungarian favourites near the main sights of downtown Budapest.

Time Out tip: You certainly should reserve – and when you do, ask for a table on the pavement terrace.

Address: Wesselényi utca 18, 1077 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily noon-11pm

Expect to pay: Beef stew in red wine with homemade egg barley Ft 4,490 (€11.25). Farm chicken paprikash with Hungarian egg noodles Ft 4,390 (€11)

What is it? Classic Hungarian dishes underscore the menu of the reliably excellent Két Szerecsen in a Parisian bistro setting, alongside Budapest’s theatre quarter.

Why we love it The Two Moors is where you can tuck into the traditional Hungarian dish you’ve wanted to try while you’re here – the beef cheek is excellent – or opt for something more international. Few will come away disappointed. Két Szerecsen's
weekday lunchtime menu is a steal for the quality.

Time Out tip: Diagonally opposite the Liszt Music Academy, close to the Opera House, this informal yet impeccable eatery provides the perfect pre- or post-concert meal if you’ve got cultural plans for the evening.

Address: Nagymező utca 14, 1065 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8.30am-11.30pm, Sat-Sun 9am-11.30pm

Expect to pay: Starter of Hungarian bites, salami, sausage and cured ham Ft 4,990 (€12.50). Main of mangalica pork shoulder with Hungarian ratatouille Ft 5,990 (€15)