The best Italian restaurants in Budapest

What is it? A legendary Italian trattoria, founded by the inescapable culinary TV personality, the Hungarian-speaking Gianni Annoni. With traditional pasta, wood-fired oven-baked pizzas, it has provided award-winning authentic cuisine in Budapest for the best part of 25 years.

Why we love it Trattoria Pomo D’oro is not just a restaurant, but rather an institution on Arany János utca, also known as Via Italia due to its many Italian destinations. In addition to chef Rosario Simeoli’s authentic dishes and Tommaso’s wood-fired pizzas, the hospitality and Mediterranean atmosphere speak for themselves. In Hungary, Pomo D’oro was the first to receive the patronage plaque of the Italian Chefs Association, and then the recommendation of the Italian Culinary Academy.

Time Out tip: out of nearly 150 varieties of Italian and Hungarian wine, 30 are always open, so in addition to the food, their drink selection is also first-rate.

Address: Arany János utca 9, 1051 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Wed noon-11pm, Thur-Fri noon-midnight, Sat noon-4pm, 6pm-midnight, Sun noon-4pm, 6pm-11pm

Expect to pay: Starters range from Ft 4,300-8,000 (€11-20.50), main courses Ft 6,000-13,000 (€15.30-33.30), desserts & pizzas Ft 3,300-6,500 (€8.45-16.65)

What is it? For Anikó and Fausto Di Vora, Fausto’s, which has been operating for 30 years, is long-term family business, with their now grown-up children also taking part in the operation.

Why we love it A true Italian fine dining restaurant experience. It is characterised by impeccable ingredients, refined flavours and attentive, precise service. Fausto’s philosophy is about harmony and balance, while their contemporary Italian cuisine boldly combines Mediterranean influences and Hungarian seasonal ingredients.

Time Out tip: Homemade pasta is one of the restaurant’s trademarks, with constantly renewed variations. Don’t pass up on the fish soup or tiramisù!

Address: Szilágyi Erzsébet fasor 77, 1026 Budapest

Opening hours: Tue-Sat noon-11pm, Sun noon-5pm. Closed Mon

Expect to pay: Appetisers Ft 4,500-10,500 (€11.50-27), mains Ft 8,500-19,500 (€21.75-50), desserts Ft 3,000-4,800 (€7.70-12.30)

What is it? Porcellino is a casual, authentic Italian country-style restaurant in District II, which has been a favourite among locals for years.

Why we love it The restaurant’s interior evokes a classic Mediterranean style, and it’s not for nothing that they call themselves ‘a drop of Italy’. Porcellino Grasso’s real strength lies in its kitchen. The pizza dough is made for days to achieve a light, crispy-crumbly texture, and they also make gluten-free pizzas on request.

Time Out tip: It’s worth booking a table, especially at weekends. If the weather suits, the terrace is the best place to enjoy a glass of prosecco or lemonade.

Address: Ady Endre utca 19, 1024 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily noon-11pm

Expect to pay: Appetisers Ft 1,990-6,790 (€5-17.40), mains Ft 6,990-16,990 (€17.90-43.50), pizzas Ft 4,000-9,000 (€10-23), desserts Ft 3,000-4,000 (€7.70-10)

What is it? Il Terzo Cerchio is a true Budapest classic. It has been a stable point among Italian restaurants for almost 20 years, a touchstone to always come back to.

Why we love it The restaurant reflects refined elegance, yet is friendly and familial. Huge windows, large spaces and rustic stone walls ensure that you feel at home. Nothing is overly complicated here: homemade pasta, juicy meat, seafood and the obligatory tiramisù arrive, of the kind of quality you might expect at any family-run trattoria.

Time Out tip: Do book a table because just coming in from the street, you’ll almost certainly find yourself unlucky.

Address: Dohány utca 40, 1074 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily noon-11.30pm

Expect to pay: Pasta dishes Ft 5,950-9,550 (€15.25-24.50), mains Ft 6,950-12,950 (€17.80-33.15), sides Ft 1,950-2,850 (€5-7.30), all desserts Ft 2,850 (€7.30)

What is it? Not a restaurant, not a bistro, not fine dining. This trattoria is what it says, between Liberty Bridge and Elizabeth Bridge, with a panoramic view of Gellért Hill.

Why we love it Trattoria Toscana is a true family trattoria, where they faithfully cook to the basic tenets of Italian cuisine. They don’t reinvent it, they rather pay homage to it. The chef greets you like a friend and the menu is like you’d find in Tuscany: short, clean and always fresh. In addition to homemade pasta, juicy meat and seafood, special Tuscan wines await.

Time Out tip: The steak is prepared Florentine-style, over charcoal, with salt, pepper and olive oil. The pizza is made according to the Tuscan recipe: in a wood-fired oven, with thin dough and abundant toppings.

Address: Belgrád rakpart 13-15, 1056 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Wed, Sun noon-11pm, Thur-Sat noon-midnight

Expect to pay: Appetisers Ft 3,790-7,650 (€9.70-19.60), pastas Ft 5,190-7,950 (€13.30-20.35), mains Ft 2,900-11,990 (€7,40-30.70), pizzas Ft 4,390-7,290 (€11.25-18.65), desserts Ft 2,750-3,290 (€7-8.40)

What is it? Caffé GianMario is an authentic café and restaurant in downtown Budapest, born from the passion and vision of its founders, Giovanni & Mario.

Why we love it The place is redolent of Italy in every way: freshly roasted coffee, artisanal pasta, mouth-watering cheeses and cold cuts make up the menu. Quality ingredients and Italian hospitality create the right atmosphere from your first morning espresso to that early-evening glass of prosecco.

Time Out tip: The place is a real community space, where it's good to chat and get to know each other, so don’t be afraid to visit alone.

Address: Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út 35, 1065 Budapest

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

Expect to pay: Appetisers Ft 1,690-7,650 (€4.30-19.50), pizzas Ft 2,890-4,290 (€7.40-11), pastas Ft 3,290-3,990 (€8.40-10.20), mains Ft 6,490-6,990 (€16.60-18), desserts Ft 1,690-2,290 (€4.30-5.90)

What is it? If you are looking for the flavours of Sicily, you will find them at this friendly Italian in the city centre.

Why we love it Trattoria La Coppola brings a true Sicilian experience to District V. Chef Salvo Sgroi uses carefully selected Italian ingredients by Jolanda de Colò and cooks according to traditional recipes. Real Neapolitan pizzas are made following the examples of former world champion Davide Argentino, while specialities such as wild fennel, bluefin tuna, Mazara red prawn, Bronte pistachio or Nubian garlic also make appearances.

Time Out tip: The house speciality is pignata, a Sicilian seafood brodetto in a clay pot, accompanied by fresh homemade paccheri pasta on request.

Address: Károlyi Mihály utca 19, 1056 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily noon-midnight

Expect to pay: Appetisers Ft 4,490-8,990 (€11.50-23), pizzas Ft 4,290-8,990 (€11-23), pastas Ft 6,290-8,990 (€16-23), mains Ft 6,990-11,990 (€18-30.70)

What is it? Alelí is an authentic Italian osteria, where Mediterranean cuisine comes to life through the inspiration and recipes of Dani García.

Why we love it Here chef Giorgio Cavicchiolo conjures up classic pastas, pizzas and antipasti, as well as flavours from less frequently known Italian regions. The wine list features southern Italian items, and you can also try Parma salami and Bolognese cheese.

Time Out tip: Among the classic Italian desserts at Alelí, the fresh brioche with pistachio ice cream stands out – simple, yet perfect.

Address: Wekerle Sándor utca 3, 1051 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily noon-11pm

Expect to pay: Antipasti & pizzas Ft 3,900-8,500 (€10-21.75), pastas & mains Ft 3,900-24,900 (€10-63.75), desserts Ft 3,500-3,900 (€9-10)

What is it? For nearly 30 years, this has been one of the most well-known Italian restaurants on the Buda side, with a family atmosphere, freshly homemade pasta and quality ingredients.

Why we love it Alessio has been a fixture in the leafy district of Pasarét for 15 years. It’s not just worth coming here for celebrations – with more than 30 types of homemade pasta to the daily specials, there’s always something exciting to find. The menu is filled with fish, crab and classic meat dishes, and the kitchen and service are familiar and friendly. Alessio is also strong in home delivery, and catering for corporate events, weddings and family celebrations.

Time Out tip: In good weather, book a table on the terrace.

Address: Pasaréti út 55, 1026 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-11pm, Sat-Sun 11am-11pm

Expect to pay: Appetisers Ft 2,500-5,500 (€6.40-14), salads Ft 3,200-4,500 (€8.20-11.50), pastas Ft 3,400-6,500 (€8.70-16.65), pizzas Ft 3,300-4,900 (€8.45-12.50), mains Ft 5,400-11,000 (€13.80-28)