The most beautiful panoramas in Budapest for dining and drinking

What is it? The roof terrace of the Aria Hotel Budapest, open year-round, finds itself at eye level with the dome of St Stephen's Basilica. In addition to the spacious roof, two loftier terraces can be booked for that extra-special occasion.

Why we love it The proximity of the Basilica is a strong argument in itself, but the High Note loves telling the story of Budapest on its drinks menu. The Folklore collection translates seven Hungarian folk songs into contemporary cocktail language, using local ingredients, surprising textures and ceramics by Hungarian artists. The drink inspired by the children’s ditty Hull a szilva a fáról (‘As the Plums Fall’) evokes plum dumplings with bourbon, plums, cinnamon and breadcrumbs, while Indulj el egy úton (‘The Path Ahead’) nods towards Hungary’s classic poppy-seed pudding with rum, poppy seeds, tonka beans and vanilla. Among the bar snacks, a fun approach to Hungarian heritage makes a welcome reappearance.

Time Out tip: To book one of those panoramic terraces, a table can accommodate up to eight people – the minimum consumption is Ft 80,000/€217 per hour, per table.

Address: Aria Hotel Budapest, Hercegprímás utca 5, 1051 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Thur 4pm-midnight, Fri-Sun 2pm-midnight

Expect to pay: Duck-liver bonbon Ft 4,800 (€13), Hortobágy pancakes Ft 6,200 (€16.80), truffle-egg dumplings Ft 5,900 (€16), Folklore cocktails Ft 6,000-6,700 (€16.30-18.20), non-alcoholic versions Ft 4,800 (€13)

What is it? A rooftop bar atop the Hilton Budapest in Buda’s Castle District, with a terrace overlooking the Danube, Parliament and the Pest cityscape. The near horizon of Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church gives you a very special perspective on Budapest.

Why we love it Few terraces in Budapest bring Parliament so close, while the Matthias Church tower rises almost at arm’s length. This year’s Signature COLOURS cocktail collection translates the city's characteristic shades into flavours with seven drinks: Blue Aether evokes the blue of the sky, Skyline Rouge the red of the rooftops and Verdure the green of Margaret Island.

The menu offers much more than the obligatory bar snacks. In addition to burrata and crispy coconut shrimp, you can also order soy-ginger salmon, mango-chili octopus salad, crispy duck and Angus sirloin. All this comes in an elegant but by no means formal setting. White Raven is best suited for sunset cocktails or a leisurely, shared dinner.

Time Out tip: Book for sunset and ask for the Skyline Rouge, made with roku gin, blackcurrant, coconut and cherries, and inspired by what you see around you. You can reach the skybar via two lifts from the hotel lobby –  first go up to the sixth floor, then at the end of the corridor take the lift to the roof terrace.

Address: Hilton Budapest, Hess András tér 1-3, 1014 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily 2pm-midnight. Kitchen takes orders until 10.15pm

Expect to pay: Burrata Ft 5,900 (€16), crispy duck Ft 8,300 (€22.50), crispy coconut shrimp Ft 9,900 (€27), soy-ginger salmon Ft 10,900 (€29.60), grilled octopus salad Ft 11,900 (€32.30), Angus sirloin Ft 15,700 (€42.60), Signature cocktails Ft 6,900 (€18.70)

What is it? A rooftop restaurant and bar on the seventh floor of the Dorothea Hotel, focusing on Dani García’s more casual restaurant concept, based on his Andalusian roots and global travel experiences, to Budapest. The panoramic terrace offers views of the Danube, its bridges and Buda Castle, and the menu combines Spanish concepts with familiar Hungarian flavours.

Why we love it Dani García’s Marbella restaurant has earned three Michelin stars, but BiBo deliberately follows a more relaxed direction, based on sharing and the chef’s personal favourites. It’s not a classic tapas bar: in addition to the signature oxtail brioche and Dani García’s burger consisting of two sliders, the menu also includes soups, meat and fish dishes, and larger dishes for two.

BiBo is at its most exciting when the two cuisines blend – goulash merges with croquettes, Hortobágy pancakes are filled with seafood, and fried octopus is served alongside potato pasta. The elegant interior and terrace overlooking the Danube are more suitable for a festive dinner or romantic rendezvous than for a spontaneous meeting.

Time Out tip: Between noon and 3pm, you can sample Dani García’s world at a more affordable Ft 14,900/€40.40 for a three-course BiBo noon menu. The famed oxtail brioche is available as an appetiser for an additional Ft 1,000/€2.70. Ask for a terrace table when booking.

Address: Dorothea Hotel, Apáczai Csere János utca 1, 1051 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily noon-11.30pm. Kitchen until 10pm

Expect to pay: Goulash croquettes Ft 5,500 (€15), oxtail brioche Ft 6,900 (€18.70), Dani García’s signature burger Ft 6,900 (€18.70)

What is it? A rooftop bar on the eighth floor of Hotel Clark Budapest is a fun urban jungle overgrown with plants overlooking the Buda foot of the Chain Bridge, with views of the Danube and her bridges, downtown Pest and Buda Castle.

Why we love it Leo doesn’t limit itself to just being one of the most spectacular spots in Budapest. The imaginatively named Atlas of Lost Worlds cocktail list builds drinks around seven extinct civilisations, and the kitchen uses small sharing plates designed to make it easy to turn a single cocktail into an evening. The menu ranges from shrimp croquettes and triple-fried potatoes to homemade gnocchi, bao and Angus mini-burgers to more substantial meat and fish dishes. There are also vegetarian and vegan options.

Time Out tip: If you’re here for the view, book an outdoor table and plan on occupying it for two hours. To start, order the homemade shrimp croquettes and the triple-fried potatoes with truffle oil.

Address: Hotel Clark Budapest, Clark Ádám tér 1, 1013 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily noon-midnight, kitchen until 10pm

Expect to pay: Triple-fried crispy potatoes Ft 5,400 (€14.70), homemade shrimp croquettes Ft 6,300 (€17), Angus mini-burgers Ft 9,300 (€25.25), signature cocktails Ft 6,950-7,550 (€18.90-20.50)

What is it? A Michelin-recommended restaurant on the 28th floor of the MOL Campus, some 120 metres above Budapest. As you step out of the observation elevator, almost the entire city is arranged around you, and inside, an elegant restaurant, bar and café share the panorama.

Why we love it At VIRTU, it's hard to decide what most grabs your attention: what’s on your plate or the Budapest skyline unfolding beyond the window. Levente Lendvai – winner of the Michelin Guide 2024 Young Chef of the Year – creates contemporary dishes from Hungarian ingredients and familiar flavours: duck liver with Tokaj aszú dessert wine with Aunt Ilonka's sweet bread, Palóc goulash with beef cheek, Keszthely sturgeon served with red-shrimp ravioli and his own take on the revered dessert, Somlói galuska. The four- and six-course heritage menus connect this modern Hungarian panorama in a single arc.

Time Out tip: If you want to enjoy the panorama with a drink, you don’t have to sit through a full dinner. The bar and café are open all day from 11.30am. Find the entrance in the MOL Campus visitor centre, where you glide up in a panoramic elevator to the 28th floor.

Address: MOL Campus, Dombóvári út 28, 1117 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Thur 11.30am-2pm & 5.15pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 11.30am-2pm & 5.15pm-midnight. Closed Sun

Expect to pay: Duck liver with Tokaj aszú dessert wine Ft 9,700 (€26.30), Palóc goulash with beef cheek Ft 4,900 (€13.30), Keszthely sturgeon Ft 14,200 (€38.50), VIRTU Somlói galuska Ft 5,700 (€15.50), four-course heritage menu Ft 29,900 (€81), wine pairing Ft 19,000 (€51.50), six-course Ft 44,900 (€121.80), wine pairing Ft 29,000 (€78.70)

What is it? A year-round rooftop bar above the showcase boulevard of Andrássy út, offering a nearly 360-degree panorama of Budapest’s rooftops and most famous landmarks.

Why we love it Few city-centre rooftops offer such an unobstructed view of the capital. The dome of St Stephen’s Basilica rises close by while on the Buda side, Castle Hill and Gellért Hill loom on the horizon. In the afternoon, it’s a casual, sunny terrace, but in the evening, the music turns up and the place transforms into a real rooftop bar.

The menu goes far beyond the usual bar snacks. In addition to Mediterranean platters meant for sharing and gambas pil-pil, there are burgers, steak sandwiches, ravioli, gnocchi, salads and grilled dishes. The 360 Bar works just as well for a sunset cocktail as for a full dinner.

Time Out tip: You don’t have to forego the view in winter – snuggle up in one of the heated igloos on the terrace and watch Budapest's Christmas lights twinkle below over a hot drink.

Address: Andrássy út 39, 1061 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Wed, Sun 2pm-midnight, Thur-Sat 2pm-2am

Expect to pay: 360 Burger Ft 6,300 (€17), salmon steak Ft 7,000 (€19), Aperol spritz Ft 4,550 (€12.40), 360 Highlife cocktail Ft 4,900 (€13.30)

What is it? A cocktail bar and a secret drinks library, hidden on the roof of the Matild Palace luxury hotel \, inspired by the story of Archduchess Marie Clotilde and a former rooftop hideaway. A hidden entrance, private lift, spectacular interior and an evening panorama over Elizabeth Bridge beckon.

Why we love it There’s a secret club vibe to the moment you arrive, and up there, the gastronomic concept associated with Hollywood chef Wolfgang Puck ensures that you don’t just focus on the drinks. Bar snacks include home-smoked salmon, black tiger-prawn cocktails, crispy black Angus beef steak and miso-marinated Japanese aubergine. Signature cocktails elevate the classic by adapting quince, lime honey, sea buckthorn, gochujang and other unexpected flavours.

Time Out tip: If you choose just one signature drink, make it the Golden Peacock: pisco, Tokaji aszú dessert wine, quince and lime honey.

Address: Matild Palace, Váci utca 36, 1056 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Thur 6pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 6pm-1am. Closed Sun

Expect to pay: Miso-marinated Japanese aubergine Ft 3,500 (€9.50), black tiger-prawn cocktail Ft 6,500 (€17.65), desserts Ft 2,750-3,900 (€7.50-10.60), Golden Peacock cocktail Ft 6,950 (€18.90)

What is it? An elegant, year-round rooftop bar on the top floor of the Váci1 building towering over main downtown square, Vörösmarty tér. Its terraces offer views of the Pest rooftops, Gellért Hill, the Buda side and the Budapest Wheel, and the focus of the menu is on St Andrea wines, their own cocktail creations and light bar dishes.

Why we love it The name St Andrea is not just a trademark here. The backbone of the wine list is selected items from the St Andrea vineyard in Egerszalók, which an expert sommelier will help you navigate. The cocktail list doesn't stop at the classics either – their own creations involve a surprisingly wide range of ingredients, from St Andrea wines to pálinka grappa and hot harissa paste.

The menu is not just a sideshow to the drinks. After oysters, tuna tataki and dirty truffle fries, you can order a black Angus sirloin steak, so the place works well for a sunset drink or a longer dinner. In the evenings, live music and DJs spinning vinyl provide the background.

Time Out tip: If you’re into cocktails, try the St Andrea Spritz – it pairs its Napbor wine with own-made coriander-seed-and-pear soda.

Address: Deák Ferenc utca 5, 1052 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily 3pm-midnight. Kitchen until 11pm

Expect to pay: Tempura-fried shrimp Ft 3,300 (€9), crème brûlée Ft 3,700 (€10), tuna tataki Ft 5,900 (€16), black Angus sirloin steak Ft 15,900 (€43), St Andrea Spritz Ft 5,400 (€14.70)

What is it? A seasonal, open-air rooftop bar atop Buda’s Mammut mall, which evokes the atmosphere of a high-level, informal beer garden rather than a hotel skybar. Above busy square Széll Kálmán tér and the rooftops of Buda, Mad Scientist beers are accompanied by street food and regularly changing events.

Why we love it You don't have to dress up for the view here. Mad Scientist craft beers take the lead on tap, along with wines, cocktails and non-alcoholic refreshments. The panorama is not your usual Danube postcard either – from here you can see a busier, more everyday side of Buda, while DJ sets, quizzes and low-key concerts easily extend your after-work beer drinking.

Time Out tip: Don't stop at the usual beers – ask for a fresh or small-batch Mad Scientist brew at the counter, then settle down on the side facing the Buda hills.

Address: Mammut mall, Lövőház utca 2, 1024 Budapest

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 4pm-11pm. Closed Sun, Mon

Expect to pay: Hot dogs Ft 3,690-3,990 (€10-10.80), sandwiches Ft 3,490-4,690 (€9.50-12.70), classic cocktails Ft 2,600-3,490 (€7-9.50), signature cocktails Ft 2,590-3,890 (€7-10.50)

What is it? A rooftop brunch restaurant on the seventh floor of the Hotel Rum, overlooking the rooftops of downtown Budapest. As its ground-floor Michelin-starred sister restaurant, SALT, it shares much of the same approach to ingredients, nature and Hungarian flavours, and has been a Michelin-recommended since 2023.

Why we love it SOLID approaches the rooftop genre from a breakfast perspective. Chef René Rába’s menu includes smoked-trout Benedict, English muffins filled with bacon jam, cheddar and fried pork belly, kimchi sandwiches and cinnamon-ginger pancakes, as well as fermented, seasonal small plates. Thanks to the wraparound windows, you won’t miss the panorama even on cooler days, and in good weather, the opening roof turns the restaurant into an alfresco space.

Time Out tip: If you're a couple, choose from the Brunch with Bubbles packages: four dishes and two coffees, a large orange juice and a bottle of cava, champagne or non-alcoholic sparkling wine are included.

Address: Hotel Rum, Királyi Pál utca 4, 1053 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Wed 7am-midnight, Thur-Sun 7am-2am

Expect to pay: Smoked-trout Benedict Ft 4,950 (€13.40), English muffins with bacon jam Ft 4,850 (€13.20), pancakes Ft 3,650 (€9.90), Brunch with Bubbles for two with cava Ft 39,000 (€106), with champagne Ft 49,000 (€133), with non-alcoholic sparkling wine Ft 35,000 (€95)

What is it? A panoramic Hungarian restaurant in Buda Castle, in the historic Lónyay-Hatvany villa, a few minutes’ walk from the Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church. From its two terraces, the Danube, the Chain Bridge, the Parliament and the Pest side form the backdrop to your dinner.

Why we love it The villa’s classy atmosphere and the view provide an elegant setting for the cuisine, which complements Hungarian classics with quality domestic ingredients and international dishes. In addition to goulash, chicken paprikash with homemade dumplings and the Somlói galuska dessert, the menu includes tuna tartare, lamb loin and sirloin steak. They have separate menus for lunch and dinner, but the five-course Hungaricum menu is available all day long.

Time Out tip: On your first visit, it’s hard to go wrong with the goulash-chicken paprikash-Somlói trio. For a more complete menu, choose the five-course Hungaricum menu; a drink menu of Hungarian wines and Unicum Riserva is also available, the more exclusive version of Hungary’s dark liqueur.

Address: Csónak utca 1, 1015 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily noon-10pm (lunch menu noon-5pm, dinner menu 5pm-10pm)

Expect to pay: Goulash Ft 3,950 (€10.70), chicken paprikash Ft 6,500 (€17.60), Somlói galuska Ft 3,200 (€8.70), five-course Hungaricum menu Ft 18,000 (€48.80), with drinks + Ft 7,200 (€19.50)

What is it? A restaurant built on an artificial island in the lake in City Park, which has been integral to this green getaway since 1989. Here, you are not high over the city – the terrace almost sits on the water, surrounded by ancient trees, while nearby Vajdahunyad Castle, Heroes’ Square and the Museum of Fine Arts define the panorama.

Why we love it Robinson takes you away from the city centre in a matter of moments, but you don't have to leave Budapest. In good weather, the water is almost touching distance from the lakeside terrace, and in the cooler months, you can enjoy the view from the winter garden. The seasonally changing menu focuses on meat, especially steak baked in a Josper oven, but there are also Hungarian classics, pastas, fish dishes and lighter salads.

Time Out tip: If you’re planning a special occasion, ask about the Floating Table: a dinner for four to eight people is served on board an electric catamaran. The boat slowly circles the lake, and each course arrives at the table as you’re briefly moored.

Address: Városligeti-tó, 1146 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily noon-4pm & 6pm-11pm

Expect to pay: Veal stew with cottage cheese Ft 9,800 (€26.60), Brassói mangalica pork Ft 9,900 (€26.90), Angus burger Ft 7,900 (€21.40), tiramisu Ft 4,400 (€12), Hortobágy pancakes Ft 6,300 (€17)

What is it? A city-centre restaurant and bar on the open square of Március 15. tér, with a huge interior and a seasonal terrace overlooking the Danube. KIOSK’s ‘modern Hungarian idea of Budapest’ combines contemporary urban activity with Hungarian gastronomic traditions.

Why we love it Few places in the city centre slip so easily into the fabric of everyday life. You can pop in for lunch, have a leisurely dinner or sit out on the terrace for a drink, all with the Danube and Buda’s heritage skyline as the backdrop. The kitchen offers a refreshing take on familiar Hungarian dishes – the menu includes goulash, egg noodles, chicken paprikash and Budapest burgers, as well as green pasta, superfood salads and seasonal farm soup. The mákos guba dessert is a must!

Time Out tip: Check out the current lunch menu on weekdays. The weekly changing menu regularly features seasonal ingredients from the Papi farm, located on Szentendre island.

Address: Március 15. tér 4, 1056 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Wed, Sun noon-11pm, Thur-Sat noon-midnight. Kitchen closes 4.30pm-5.30pm & at 10pm

Expect to pay: Transylvanian bruschetta Ft 3,450 (€9.40), goulash Ft 4,950 (€13.40), chicken paprikash Ft 6,650 (€18), Budapest burger Ft 6,950 (€18.90), mákos guba dessert Ft 3,650 (€9.90)

What is it? A restaurant ship docked at central Vigadó tér, where you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the Buda bank, the bridges and the city centre from water level. It’s important to know that Spoon is not a sightseeing boat, but awaits those arriving for lunch, dinner or an evening drink at the same dock as other vessels coming and going.

Why we love it The location alone would make your evening, but you don’t have to stop at the view. The Danube-inspired urban bistro cuisine mixes Hungarian and international flavours such as duck-liver mousse, salmon tartare and chicken paprikash with sheep’s curd dumplings, while grilled duck breast and grilled perch can also be found on the table. During the day, you can choose from a more relaxed lounge menu, before the full dinner menu comes into force from 5pm. Live music enhances the evening atmosphere on board.

Time Out tip: For dessert, order the Tram 2, a plate of white-chocolate mousse, cocoa nibbless and mango named after the yellow tram you’ll see passing right alongside the Spoon on the Pest embankment.

Address: Pier 3, Vigadó tér, 1052 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily noon-11pm

Expect to pay: Duck-liver mousse Ft 5,890 (€16), salmon tartare Ft 5,990 (€16.25), chicken paprikash Ft 6,090 (€16.50), grilled rack of lamb Ft 9,590 (€26), Spoonmisu dessert Ft Ft 3,590 (€9.75)

What is it? A seasonal bar and restaurant on the roof of the design-forward Mystery Hotel Budapest, seating nearly 50 people. From the roof garden, decorated with Doric columns, plants and lounge furniture, Nyugati station, Buda Castle, the Fishermen’s Bastion and Gellért Hill can be seen above the rooftops of Pest.

Why we love it This shows a completely different side of Budapest than the regular riverside rooftop terraces. Here the view is not dominated by bridges but by the city unfolding over the rooftops. The small number of seats makes the terrace more intimate and the menu ensures that the evening does not stop at cocktails – there's Latin street food, pasta, salads and more serious mains, including salmon baked in its own skin and Angus sirloin with truffle mashed potatoes.

Time Out tip: Venture beyond Aperol spritz – the signature cocktail follows the life cycle of a flower from roots to petals. Deep Earth is made with whisky, ginger ale and own-made apple-cider vinegar mead, with peppery beet chips.

Address: Mystery Hotel Budapest, Podmaniczky utca 45, 1064 Budapest

Opening hours: Late Apr-late Sept Daily noon-11pm. Last food order 9.30pm, last drinks order 10.30pm

Expect to pay: Vegetarian quesadilla Ft 5,200 (€14.10), beef burritos Ft 5,900 (€16), salmon baked in its skin Ft 13,500 (€36.60), Caracás Angus sirloin Ft 14,500 (€39.30), Deep Earth cocktail Ft 6,100 (€16.60)

What is it? The Budapest Marriott Hotel's riverside restaurant, with glass walls and a terrace overlooking the Danube, Buda Castle and the Buda Hills. The cuisine follows the Danube’s route from the Black Forest to the Black Sea, using seasonal and, where possible, local ingredients.

Why we love it At DNB, the panorama is not the only star: the view is accompanied by a fully fledged restaurant befitting the five-star surroundings. Among the Hungarian classics, you can order goulash and chicken paprikash served with butter dumplings and cucumber salad, as well as spinach and ricotta ravioli, confit-duck pappardelle, and meat and fish prepared on a Josper grill. If you’re sharing with your dining companion, the Chateaubriand for two or the one-kilo tomahawk are exciting choices.

Time Out tip: On Sundays from noon to 3pm, choose the Riverside Sunday Brunch instead of à la carte. In addition to the buffet and showcase cuisine, it also includes unlimited high-quality Sauska wine, champagne and beer.

Address: Budapest Marriott Hotel, Duna-korzó, 1052 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily 6.30am-11pm. Kitchen closes Sun 3pm-6pm

Expect to pay: Goulash Ft 4,700 (€12.75), chicken paprikash Ft 6,900 (€18.75), pappardelle with confit duck Ft 6,900 (€18.75), DNB burger Ft 7,900 (€21.40), Sunday brunch Ft 22,900 (€62)

What is it? A panoramic restaurant with a long history on the south-western side of Gellért Hill, featuring a terraced garden and views of the city. The place opened in 1937 as a retreat and then through several eras and one complete reconstruction, it gained its present, elegant form.

Why we love it The panoramic room and terraces do not just provide a beautiful backdrop for dining – the entire experience is built around the view. The cuisine is based on the traditions of homely Hungarian gastronomy, and the menu is complemented by lighter, international dishes. In addition to Hortobágy pancakes, goulash, Brassó mangalica pork and Somlói galuska dessert, you can also order salmon baked in its own skin, homemade pasta and vegan sweet-potato steak. The wine list, centred on domestic labels, includes examples from several smaller wineries by the glass.

Time Out tip: When booking, indicate that you would like a panoramic table, and leave the wine selection to the team. The selection by the glass offers a sample of Hungary’s many wine regions, whites from Balaton and Mór, reds from Eger and Villány.

Address: Gellért-hegy, Kelenhegyi út 58, 1118 Budapest

Opening hours: Tue-Sun noon-11pm. Kitchen closes 10pm. Closed Mon

Expect to pay: Goulash Ft 3,990 (€2.70), mangalica pork Brassói Ft 7,490 (€20.30), salmon baked in its own skin Ft 7,990 (€21.70), Somlói galuska Ft 3,290 (€9), Hortobágy pancakes Ft 3,790 (€10.30)