Restaurants & dining – All our local tips

The name is playful, it’s the first row of a children’s rhyme. Less childish is the character of the place: the restaurant, the cafe and the basement parties attract guests over 25 according to my experience.

A weekday afternoon can be pretty deserted, ideal for a chill-out lunch in the sun under the glass roof of the winter garden, I’d suggest the daily menu. When the place fills up, the evening gets buzzing and the basements opens its doors to the party seekers by the time you’ve had your seventh after-lunch beer. Don’t forget, a responsible afternoon drinker consumes non-alcoholic beverages and takes some snacks too. Everything at your disposal, this is the ideal half-day program. And it started as a simple lunch!

Free wifi is available for those “I have to show you this video on Youtube” moments, you know what I’m talking about. Neo-nomads are also welcome. Literature and music lovers will enjoy the discussions and live concerts.

I’ve no idea if it has any purpose but the 50-meter-high chimney in the backyard is very cool especially here in the heart of the VIII. district. It’ll watch every step you take.

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Apacuka | Art & culture, Bars, Music, Restaurants | Soproni beer HUF 420
Horánszky utca 5 | Central Pest | +36209382677
Mon – Fri 11:00 – 02:00, Sat – Sun 17:00 – 02:00

Arriba is a recently opened Mexican fast food restaurant which has rapidly become popular, especially with the yuppie crowd (as far as I observed) and American expats craving for their Tex-Mex fix. The food is very nice – maybe not up to what you’d get in Mexico or some parts of the U.S. (I wouldn’t really know), but certainly the best I or my American friends have ever had in Budapest.

The place operates on the same “pick your own components” system as, say, Subway: you choose the base for you taco or burrito, the type of meat, and hand pick from a selection of various sauces, spices and veggies. The food is accompanied by a very nice selection of drinks, including Horchata (rice milk with cinnamon), Margarita, and various Mexican beers you can only get in maybe two or three places in Budapest.

While Taquerias are traditionally takeaways, Arriba also has plenty of seating on two levels. It’s a delightful place to sit down for you meal, with warm, colourful tables and adorable „faux kitsch” murals that really add to the upbeat vibe. Just be aware that the place can get quite crowded, and you might have no option but to take away your order and eat it elsewhere. Personally, I’ve had good luck so far late in the evening and just after lunchtime.

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Arriba Taqueria | Restaurants (Mexican) | Burrito HUF 1100
VI. Teréz körút 25 | Central Pest | +3613740057
Sun – Thu 11:00 – 00:00, Fri – Sat 11:00 – 02:00

Bangla Büfé is a tiny Bangladeshi buffet / restaurant that offers great value for you money. It’s a rather special place, since this cuisine is hardly represented in Budapest at all – at least I couldn’t name another venue, that’s for sure. It’s perhaps very Budapest-like, then, that the (probably) single Bangladeshi place is not some large, swanky restaurant, but rather a tiny, tiled, one-roof affair with only a small handful of tables and an old gas stove in the kitchen.

The menu is rather small – one single page -, but I warmly recommend every single item on it. The food is fresh, always very tasty, and just the right amount: you can have your fill, but you won’t end up overly satiated. For those unfamiliar with Bangladeshi cuisine, there are large photographs of every dish.

There are two notes I must add. One, Bangla Büfé also functions as a takeaway. Two, the cuisine is all Halal – following Islamic law. This is very lucky for you if you happen to be Muslim, but a tiny bit inconvenient for those who like their curry or biryani with beer, as Halal and alcohol do not mix. Still, such a tiny sacrifice is more than worth it at Bangla.

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Bangla Büfé | Restaurants (Bangladeshi) | Main dishes HUF 1000
VII. Akácfa utca 40 | Central Pest | +3612663674
Sat – Thu 12:00 – 23:00, Fri 14:30 – 23:00

You’re walking on Kazinczy street (where Szimpla (check the Szimpla article) and Kőleves (check the Kőleves article) can be found too) and the colour strikes you: lighting pink and blushing green. Hard to resist the temptation so you enter the bar which you thought was a candy shop judging by the colour.

A welcoming and warm interior, comfortable couches await you and two rabbits appear frequently in different situations as part of the design. Many of you from the region surely remember Bob and Bobek from the Czech cartoon series. They started their day every time with some gymnastics after jumping out of the hat. Czech cartoons were frequent guests on Hungarian television in my childhood.

In such a cheerful place there’s only one thing you can do – smile. And then come food and drinks, daily menu or a la carte.

Bobek has a garden in the backyard, prepared for the cold days with roof, walls and heating. Don’t panic if there’s no place in the pink-green oasis at the front, just boldly walk by the bar and grab your chance outdoors. Still no place to sit? Come on, then grab a drink, think of the rabbits and keep smiling.

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Bobek | Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants | Ciabatta HUF from 730
Kazinczy utca 53 | Central Pest | +3613220729
Mon – Thu 10:00 – 00:00, Fri 10:00 – 02:00, Sat 11:00 – 02:00, Sun 11:00 – 23:00

Csiga is a friendly, cozy café and restaurant with really nice cuisine, rather popular with local expats. A very nice place; not too big, but it always has a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere, and is a good place to visit with a not-too-large group of friends.

I can’t say I’ve tried everything on the menu, but what I’ve tasted so far has always been fine. If you’re going to stay in Budapest for a while, it’s worth checking back, as part of the menu – the one on the blackboard on the wall – sometimes changes.

They also have wi-fi, if you need it.

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Café Csiga | Bars, Restaurants (Various) | Main dishes HUF 1800
VIII. Vásár utca 2 | Central Pest | +3612100885
11:00 – 01:00 daily

Centrál is a very elegant, very old style coffee house and restaurant, kind of on the expensive side, but worth a look if you want to know what Pest was like a hundred years ago.

Thanks to Hungary’s proximity and, let’s say, historical contact with Turkey, coffee culture has always been pretty big around here, but probably never so much so as in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Coffee houses were meeting points of the intellectual elite, and the regular haunts of artists and journalists, some of who actually lived in coffee houses. Centrál Kávéház already existed back then, and even though it fulfilled other functions during the communist era, the new management is reaching back to the golden age for inspiration, and as far as looks go, they’re doing a good job.

The place looks exactly as it must have looked back then, and the selection of freely readable newspapers by the entrance is also a fitting and kind touch – even though it seems to me as if the selection of papers had narrowed in the last few years.

The place is divided into a restaurant area, and a coffee house which is more appropriate for sitting down for a bit of a rest while sipping some tea or coffee. As for the food, it’s always been good when I tried it, but a bit pricey. However, if you want to sit down somewhere in the middle of the day to chat and look at passersby, Centrál has the perfect ambience for that – and a few teas or coffees won’t break the bank.

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Centrál Kávéház | Coffee & tea, Restaurants (European) | Main from HUF 1300
V. Károlyi Mihály utca 9 | Central Pest | +3612662110
07:00 – 00:00 daily

Maybe this place looks a bit to luxurious at first, but it is one of the few restaurants in Budapest where you can always find the same quality, the waiters are fluent in English and really helpful and it is located on a really nice square bit hidden from the main attractions but just a short walk from Deák ter.

The design is just as simple but satisfying as the dishes. The big mirror on the wall just opposite as you enter the restaurant is part of the magic.

It is really important not to miss the special bread filled with olives. It is freshly made there and you can even choose different flavors if you do not like olives. Be aware of the special breakfast offers they have sometimes, it is often changing so visit their website or just simply ask the waiters for any info.

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Gerlóczy Étterem | Restaurants (intern.) | Meal from HUF 1350
Gerlóczy utca 1. | Central Pest
07:00 – 23:00 daily

As all of the vegetarians can tell you it is not so easy to find a good vegetarian restaurant in Budapest at a moderate price. Govinda gives you this chance in the heart of the city.

You can choose from different menus everyday or you can just try separate dishes. All of them are moderately priced. For the people who are not only interested in food for their body but interested in food for their soul there are several different kind of programmes organised by the staff who are members of the IKSCON which is easy to identify from the saris and the dhotis they are wearing.

This religious movement was really popular especially in the ’90s in Hungary, but now if you ask anybody about them for sure they will mention their “Food for life program” which gives food for free every week on various spots of the city and they will also mention Govinda because thanks to its central location it is a “place to go” for students are managers of the nearby offices around 12:00.

Be aware that when you are entering the restaurant you have to go down on the stairs and you can easily hit your head, especially if you are really hungry and want to go down as fast as possible.

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Govinda | Restaurants (Vegetarian) | Student menu HUF 760
Vigyázó Ferenc utca 4 | Central Pest
Mon – Fri 11:30 – 20:00, Sat 12:00 – 21:00

Kádár is one of the most famous restaurants in Budapest. Mr Kadar himself provided the best home made dishes for even the elite in the 50s-60s and the style of the place just remained as it looked like in those times.

This is one of the few places where you can still get the plastic bottled soda and you pay by how many glasses you drank which gives a special twist for the whole dinner. Do not expect a lot of vegetarian dishes, most of the things are based on the traditional rich in fat Hungarian cuisine.

On Saturday the place is quite full because that is the only day when you can get the famous sólet (Eastern European Jewish dish with meat and beans).

The walls are full with pictures of famous Hungarians who are stating that Mr. Kadar’s dishes are best in town. Give them a try, I guess you will be satisfied.

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Kádár Restaurant | Restaurants (Traditional Hungarian)
Klauzál tér 9. | Central Pest
Tue – Sat 11:30 – 15:30

Klassz in Hungarian means something cool or very good. And that could as well be said about Klassz Bistro and Wine Bar, a little, stylish place in Andrássy street, near the Opera. Relaxed atmosphere, excellent food and very affordable price make it a winning combination. Since its opening in 2007 the place has become a fashionable place to go and was also featured in the Hungarian Restaurant and Food Guide 2008 as one of the 10 best restaurants in Hungary.

The place is bright and cozy, the service very friendly, people are coming and going while some jazz music plays in the background. I love to come for lunch or in the afternoon for a short break, sit and observe the beautiful Andrássy street and people passing by.

The place was designed by Theycom Studio and it can win you over with its subtle style and comfortable simplicity. Shortly, it’s a place where you can just simply feel good and of course eat and drink well.

The wine is provided by the Budapest Wine Society and you can choose among some 50 different sorts. You can also buy the wine at the bar (made of piled wine boxes).

The menu changes every week and you will always find interesting creations of international and Hungarian cuisine. Reservations are not accepted, so you will just have to walk by and try your luck. It does get very busy though, especially in the evenings.

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Klassz | Bars, Restaurants (Hungarian) | Main HUF 2000
Andrássy u. 41 | Central Pest
Mon – Sat 11:30 – 23:00, Sun 11:30 – 18:00

Hungarians like food. They also like tales of food. Kőleves or StoneSoup Restobar takes its name after an old folk tale that explains the art of making a soup out of a bare stone. The place is as interesting as its name with a playful and imaginative decor that, as the story of the stone soup, creates something from nothing (lamps out of cheese graters, for example…). It is located in the middle of the 7th district, the historical Jewish quarter where every house could tell a story.

As far as the food goes some of my favourite are Matzo Flodni (Jewish Matzo cake layered with walnuts, apple and poppy seeds), Sólet (Jewish baked beans with smoked goose meat and boiled egg) on Fridays and Saturdays, Túrógombóc (cottage cheese dumplings with sour cream, honey and cinnamon) or simply cold fruit soup. You can get daily menu for 900 HUF. Locals of all ages love to either just drop by and pretend to work hard on their laptops or meet friends or watch the weary explorers of Budapest finding their way to the bar as well.

The place gets to be busy in the evenings so it might be a good idea to make a reservation. Every Tuesday at 21:00 there is a Jazz concert (entrance fee 900 HUF) and you can check their website for more info on the events. Once you are there check the walls as well, local artists regularly exhibit there.

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Kőleves | Art & culture, Bars, Festivals & events, Restaurants (Jewish) | Main from HUF 1500
Kazinczy u. 35 | Central Pest | +3613221011
12:00 – 00:00 daily

Good food, pleasant atmosphere and friendly service is what can be said about Menza, a restaurant and cafe at Liszt Ferenc square. Menza is a very popular place among locals and tourists alike and definitely one of my favorite places to eat in Budapest at any time of day.

Menza in Hungarian means “canteen” but has, luckily, no reminiscence of it. With its retro feeling and busy but comfortable atmosphere it is a good place to be and meet with others. Thanks for imaginative interior design goes to Theycom Studio that also designed the nearby Klassz.

It can happen you will have to wait for a place to sit so it’s not a bad idea to make a reservation. The staff is attentive and I never felt forgotten while waiting. Food is mostly Hungarian and I simply love their “pumpkin cream soup.” The price is in overall affordable and their daily menu is available for 890 HUF.

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Menza | Bars, Restaurants (Hungarian) | Main meal from HUF 1600
Liszt Ferenc tér 2 | Central Pest | +3614131482
10:00 – 00:00 daily

Momotaro restaurant is a perfect place for a good, quick and cheap meal while discovering the center of the 5th district, although you’ll have to look carefully to actually spot it.

The reason everyone goes there (many locals and tourists alike) is the traditional Japanese noodle dish Ramen. The interior of the place is rather small and simply decorated but comfortable and most of the time fully packed, since the food is really good and of great price. Besides Ramen the food is mostly Chinese.

The service is friendly and fast and you’ll be greeted with free green tea and readiness to answer any silly question you might have. Ramen is great and steamed dumplings are as close to my memories of China as they can get in Budapest. They also have plenty of vegetable dishes. The place is located on the corner of Nádor and Széchenyi streets, near the Hungarian State TV Headquarters.

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Momotaro Ramen | Snacks, Restaurants (Chinese/Japanese) | Ramen HUF 1500
Széchenyi u. 16 | Central Pest | +3612693802
11:00 – 22:00 daily

Pótkulcs is a bar, club and restaurant popular with the bohemian crowd, full of laid-back vibes, but rather crowded sometimes. Located a few minutes’
walk from Nyugati train and metro station, it has a garden completely separated from the street by a wall, as well as indoor seating – and some of the fussball tables so ubiquitous in these kinds of places.

Personally, I find the garden to be my favourite part of the locale. There’s nothing objectively special about it, but it’s cozy, charming, and has just enough grass that isn’t covered by chairs and tables. In fact, it has such a nice ambience that once I’ve stayed there late at night just to watch a game of Bridge unfold – and I can’t even play Bridge!

One thing that separates Pótkulcs from many similar venues is that you can get some hot food here, making it a good stopping point on a late night crawl. You’ll need to walk a few minutes from and back to the nearest public transport, but that has the added bonus of clearing a bit of the alcohol haze from your head.

Do note that this is a smokers-friendly place, and the air can get rather thick even in the garden, so if you’re sensitive to cigarette smoke, you might want to go give the place a miss.

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Pótkulcs | Bars, Restaurants (Central-Eastern European) | Beers HUF 450
VI. Csengery utca 65/b | Outer Pest | +3612691050
Sun – Wed 17:00 – 01:30, Thu – Sat 17:00 – 02:30

Szimpla is hands-down the best known and most popular of Budapest’s “kert”-s
(”gardens”) – courtyards of condemned or just abandoned buildings transformed into outdoor summer pubs, originally catering mostly for a young, bohemian clientele. As such, it has all the typical accroutements: crumbling architecture, plain but sturdy benches and tables, beer, totally kooky decor, lots of noise, beer, heavily stickered and graffitied toilets, and beer.

While there are many establishments that follow the same recipe, Szimpla is unique for having its own open-air movie theater, where they often play art movies, sparsely screened documentaries and the like. In recent years, they’ve also covered part of the venue with a roof to let them stay open all year round, and expanded into the upper floor, where you can also get some hot grub with your drinks.

Recently, I’ve heard some friends complain that Szimpla is getting too popular and thus too mainstream these days. Well, maybe that’s true – sometimes the crowd and the noise does get a bit too much for my tastes -, but it’s still more than worth checking out if you’re in town. Loud, friendly, visually lush and exciting; a great place to go when the company you desire is more upbeat than sublime.

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Szimpla Kert | Bars, Restaurants (Various) | Beers HUF 500
VII. Kazinczy utca 14 | Central Pest
12:00 – about 04:00 daily

Budapest is chock-full of gyros and falafel stands, many of which operate all night to service the roving bands of stout pub crawlers. Yet, I’m going to recommend Szinbád Büfé, which is an atypical example for closing late afternoon. “But Kalman, you dark horse, you,” – some of you, dear readers, might exclaim – “you got us all excited about the idea of nighttime cuisine! Why recommend a daytime-only place, then?”

Well, I recommend Szinbád because, simply put, the food is just so much better than elsewhere. You see, the food in many of these gyros places just tastes samey. Not bad, just rather indistinguishable from the food in all the other gyros places. That’s because (at least so I hear) all these places buy their stuff from the same central distributor, from the meat on the spit to the spices and sauces.

And that’s where Szinbád is different. The Syrian owner and his sons make all the food themselves on the spot, from original raw ingredients (except the baklava, but even that’s from some special source). As a result, their stuff has its own distinguishable – and very good – taste. So much so, in fact, that there people coming here from the very far end of the city, passing half a dozen other takeaways of a similar profile on the way.

Personal tip: try the grape leaves filled with rice and ground meat. Just be aware that it’s rather messy for finger food, so you might want to take it away and eat in in the vicinity of a bathroom.

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Szinbád Büfé | Snacks, Restaurants (Takeaway) | Meal HUF 500
XI. Kruspér utca 6-8 | Central Buda | +36203545390
10:00 – 19:00 daily