Café Gerbeaud
A grand café from 1858 on the city’s main square, with chandeliers and an array of cakes.
Known for: Dobos torta, cakes
About £20–35 per person
Good for Couples · Groups
Budapest
12 real restaurants, cafés, bars, markets and food experiences, from inexpensive to special occasion.
12 places to eat and drink in Budapest
£££ Higher-end
New York Café
A sumptuous, gilded Belle Époque café that calls itself the world’s most beautiful; expect crowds.
Known for: Coffee, cakes
£35+ per person
Special occasion Good for Couples · Groups
Ruszwurm Cukrászda
A tiny historic pastry shop in Buda Castle, open since 1827, with a Biedermeier interior.
Known for: Cream slice (krémes), cakes
Under about £10 per person
Local favourite Good for Couples · Families
Menza
A retro-styled restaurant on Liszt Ferenc Square serving modern takes on Hungarian classics.
Known for: Goulash, chicken paprikash
About £10–20 per person
Good for Families · Groups
Café Kör
A small, popular bistro near St Stephen’s Basilica with a daily menu of Hungarian dishes.
Known for: Hungarian daily specials
About £10–20 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
Gundel
A landmark restaurant from 1894 beside the Zoo, known for its Gundel pancake and classic Hungarian cuisine.
Known for: Gundel pancakes, goulash
£35+ per person
Special occasion Good for Couples · Groups
Bock Bistro
A stylish bistro serving refined Hungarian dishes and a wide list of Hungarian wines.
Known for: Hungarian wines, modern dishes
About £10–20 per person
Good for Families · Groups
Első Pesti Rétesház
A bakery and café famous for its strudel, made in a window where you can watch.
Known for: Strudel with apple, cherry or cheese
Under about £10 per person
Local favourite Good for Couples · Families
Karavan Street Food
A courtyard of street-food stalls with a lively atmosphere, in the Jewish Quarter.
Known for: Lángos, burgers
Under about £10 per person
Good for Families · Groups
£ to ££££ is an approximate guide to price level and the per-person range is an estimate, not live pricing. “Good for” is a rule of thumb. Opening times and menus change: check with the venue before you go.
Local dishes to try in Budapest 3
Goulash
Lángos
Kürtőskalács
