There is so many reasons to fall in love with Budapest, and food is one of them. I had an incredibly enjoyable time exploring Hungarian cuisine and other options local chefs had to offer. The stunning, historic buildings that the venues are located in added the charm to the overall experience.

So, if you’re looking for some places to try while in Budapest, check out below!

Párisi Passage Café & Brasserie

Located in the passage of breath-taking Párisi Udvar Hotel, this restaurant serves extensive selection of authentic Hungarian cuisine, as well as international options. The kitchen is open both for hotel guests as well as locals, in the space emanating classic ambiance. Open from early hours of the morning, I enjoyed an incredibly tasty breakfast at Párisi Passage, however they do remain open late if you fancy checking out their Á la carte Menu.

TwentySix

Another stunning place with photo-worthy décor, as well as incredible dining options, is TwentySix – inspired by urban jungle design. Made up of three distinct sections, each one offers a unique experience.

• ‘Garden’ houses a Mediterranean eatery under palm trees in this botanical garden inspired building.
• ‘House’ offers its visitors space for organised events and variety of workshops.
• ‘Kaa’ specialises in fine cocktails, served in a ceiling decorated space.

Brunch Bistro

Don’t be fooled by this seemingly ordinary name, Brunch Bistro has a lot to offer. And what it does offer is not only delicious, but also healthy. Serving breakfast, brunch and a specialty coffee, it offers outside seating at their gorgeous terrace/patio, overlooking St. Stephen’s Basilica.

Karavan

Not sure what’s you’re in the mood for? Well, don’t worry, Karavan has you covered.

Located next to Shimpla Kert, this food court is located within a pedestrian passage. It serves a variety of options, both food and drink, including traditional Hungarian dishes, as well as burgers, curries, vegan meals and more.

Cookie Beacon

Cookie Beacon came to me as a recommendation for their amazing, chunky cookies. But it made me stay for brunch. Its central location and comfy design make it an ideal place to stop and catch a quick rest during your travels.

Shimpla Kert

Leaving the best for last, it is time for Shimpla Kert. One of the most atmospheric venue I visited in Budapest, this ruin bar attracts a large crowd of tourists and locals alike. It serves street food meals as well as a variety of drinks. You can also avail of a shisha. In its maze like design, it houses concerts and markets on certain days.

I would highly recommend you check out this bar, even if just for a quick visit. Its eclectic decorations and vibrant ambience are a thing to experience.

To Avoid: Ramenka

The only foul experience during my trip was in Ramenka, located on the same street as the ruin bar and Karavan. The quality of food was appalling. Ramen was a bowl of water and raw vegetables, there was no taste to it, not even a small tinge of salt, no spaces at all. The gyozas ordered were nothing more but really bad tasting, tough to bite dough, with untasteful filling. Additionally, the service left a lot to be desired, the staff were extremely rude.

It is a bit of a long post but it shows just how much I loved experiencing cuisine of Budapest. Admittedly, I didn’t list a lot of traditional Hungarian dishes or venues, but the countries’ influence could be seen, and tasted, in everything I’ve tried during the trip. Polish cuisine is also quite heavily influenced by Hungary in my opinion and I shared its love for paprika.