Budapest will soon be home to Time Out Market – the food and cultural market that brings the best of the city together under one roof, opening 2025 at Corvin Palace on Blaha Lujza Square. Time Out Market Budapest will feature 11 kitchens, three bars, five event spaces, and around 540 seats. Find out more!
It might be known for its ruin bars, thermal spas and fabulous architecture, but the food scene here is now being decorated with Michelin stars year upon year – and it’s only getting better. The best part? While you’ll be paying something approaching London prices at a fine-dining establishment, on average eating out is pretty affordable in Budapest, particularly if you look out for weekday lunchtime deals or napi menü (‘daily menu’). These are usually advertised on a board outside or within the restaurant. Note also that reservations are pretty much essential anywhere recommended by Michelin. For the best restaurants in the Hungarian capital, read on.
Which dishes should I try in Budapest?
The only Hungarian dish most visitors know is goulash – gulyás – which is essentially a soup filled with chunks of beef, potato and paprika, often served in a mini-cauldron. But another signature dish for carnivores is chicken paprikash (paprikás csirke or csirkepaprikás), always garnished with locally revered sour cream (tejföl) – which also tops töltött káposzta, stuffed cabbage in tomato sauce. Other highlights include halászlé, a spicy fish soup, and for pudding, nearly every menu will list delicious Gundel pancakes (palacsinta).
📍 Discover our ultimate guide to eating and drinking in Budapest
Words by Peterjon Cresswell, original photos by Gábor Szabó, both based in Budapest. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.