Budapest has many good spots for coffee, gelato, drinks and food in general. Here are the best spots to eat in Budapest:
Where To Eat In Budapest
California Coffee Company: I saw it everywhere in Budapest. It was like Cafe Coffee Day of India. But only better. Coffee and smoothies were real nice even though there was a wait for it. California Coffee Company is in one of the busiest square of the city. It is also dog friendly so that’s a big plus.
Type: Budget and Medium
Goa Mama Coffee: This is the cutest cafe in Budapest and I stopped here only because of the name (Goa is a place in India). Goa Mama has very pretty interiors along with great iced coffee, shakes and home made cakes! It’s really worth visiting.
Where To Eat In Budapest
Type: Budget
Ruin Pubs: I have to admit I only went to two ruin pubs in Budapest. Once with a Free Walking Tour in the day and once alone at night. I wish I had company to enjoy because it really did feel unfair sitting alone and sipping my negroni. But I love the concept of shady ruined dumped furniture and equipment being used to create these cool places. Szimpla and Instant are my recommendations for ruin pubs. A great place to eat in Budapest!
Type: Medium and Splurge
Vaci Utca: This is a shopping street laden with cafes, restaurants and stores. There are a ton of options to eat and contrary to what I thought they aren’t as expensive as it would be in other parts of Europe. Just pick one!
Where To Eat In Budapest
Type: Medium and Splurge
Gelarto Rosa: A famous Hungarian gelato parlour that gives rose shaped gelato. Not only is the packaging dainty and pretty but it is delicious too. There is gelato for vegans and lactose intolerant people as well.
Type: Super budget
My Little Melbourne Brew Bar: There are two bars by this name adjacent to each other, one is the espresso bar and the other is the brew bar. I had a filter coffee at the espresso bar- a very cool hipster cafe. The service wasn’t very friendly but I loved the coffee. Couldn’t believe how cheap everything was compared to other cities of Europe.
Type: Budget
Frohlich Bakery: The Jewish quarter in the city has so many food joints that it seemed like a city within a city. What I specially liked was the fact that it was so traditional. Try the apple and poppy seed cake at the Frohlich- a modest bakery with Free Wi-Fi!!
Type: Budget
Where To Eat In Budapest
Pizza Eataliano: Good Italian food only 5 steps away from the Andrassay tram stop. It has a beautiful terrace to relax after a long day. I also loved their selection of Italian wines though I only enjoyed a quick pizza here.
Type: Medium
Where To Eat In Budapest
Callas Cafe: Callas is a very Parisian cafe in Budapest. Slightly expensive as its on the main street next to the Opera but it is worth a visit. You are on holiday after all! Try their gelato and coffee or if in the mood to splurge anything you don’t understand which could be very Hungarian. Another great spot for eating in Budapest.
Type: Splurge
Where To Eat In Budapest
Bamba Marha Burger Bar: At the corner of the Andrassay Avenue is this cool place serving delicious burgers. The place is packed at night and definitely seems like a very popular spot for locals. I tried their Elvis burger and loved it! The only problem here is that there are no alcohol options and few options for drinks.
Type: Budget
TOP TIP: If you are not from around Hungary, please check what you are paying. I mean the currency is a bit confusing and a couple of times I ended up paying more Forints than I had to. I was lucky that both times I was returned the correct amount back. (Bless those people!)
Related Reading:
Szabó Ervin Library in Budapest is a dream
26 Comments
Budapest: An Unexpectedly Remarkable City – Italophilia
June 7, 2020 at 7:45 pm[…] Drink lots of beer and have goulash (traditional soup) and make sure you see the list of festivals happening around the time of your visit! Read more on what to eat here. […]
Tooting Hustle
June 7, 2017 at 7:31 pmId love to go to Budapest one day! It is even more so on my bucket list after reading this! Thank you for sharing 🙂
If you have time, please check out my latest post about Brick &Liquor Cocktail bar – https://tootinghustle.wordpress.com/2017/05/24/brick-and-liquor-in-review/ and let me know what you think!
Happy blogging! x
Ishita
June 10, 2017 at 12:11 amI think it is a city to be explored..will surely do :).. xx
Steph
April 28, 2017 at 6:53 pmWish I had this when I was in Budapest!
Ishita
April 28, 2017 at 7:01 pmLot of people tell me that, I hope you can go again..xx
Traveling Diva
April 24, 2017 at 2:06 pmThis is a great list, thanks for sharing. I found the coffee in Budapest was consistently very good, regardless of where I drank it (type of establishment) or how much I paid for it. I think it’s even more consistent than in Italy! Another great restaurant near the Opera House is Klassz- and they also have a huge “wine by the deci” selection.
Ishita
April 24, 2017 at 5:25 pmI didn’t check this restaurant that you mention but I agree. Everything was top notch. The quality speaks a lot about the city itself.
heathcliffandharlow
April 19, 2017 at 5:09 pmgreat blog! thanks for all the tips on where to go – especially like the budget indicator.
Ishita
April 19, 2017 at 6:14 pmI am so glad it helped 🙂
Darlene
April 19, 2017 at 3:01 amIt all looks so yummy. My husband loves goulash so he was in heaven when we were there. We also had an excellent apple strudel at a coffee shop in the main square. We found the prices to be very reasonable too. Great pictures of food. Now I am hungry!
Ishita
April 19, 2017 at 11:31 amThank you me too 🙂 I am very hungry and I just had breakfast 😉 In need for a good cup of coffee. Can’t wait to be in Europe again
travel magnolia
April 18, 2017 at 8:24 pmThanks for sharing these tips. When I visited Budapest the food scene was almost non-existent. I am glad to see that has changed and that coffee is plentiful – always key when jet lagged!
Ishita
April 18, 2017 at 8:26 pmMost welcome 🙂 there is no dearth of cafes and even different cuisines such as Japanese and Indian! Hope you can get there someday
Anabel Marsh
April 18, 2017 at 5:22 pmI recognise some of these places because we were staying near the Opera, but didn’t eat in any of them. We did have a drink in Szimpla Kaert just for try it out. Very quirky – though I agree with a previous commenter somewhat contrived. Original when they started popping up maybe, but now just another style.
Ishita
April 18, 2017 at 7:16 pmI love the area around Opera. Full of great places to eat.some I don’t recall now! true.. that happens with any place.
HelsinkiBudapest
April 18, 2017 at 2:33 pmFood in Hungary is a must! Ditto Italy. I wasn’t convinced about the ruin pubs, as it seemed too contrived, but then I ended up there for a meeting, and I love what Szimpla has done with the place. Actually, that’s something I really missed when I was away, the food and coffee places. And that part about the money is so true! They try and rip everyone off if you look like you have money. And if you’re a foreigner, you have money. If you don’t, you’re scum. 🙄 Glad you got it back!
Ishita
April 18, 2017 at 7:17 pm🙂 yes. But overall I found it cheaper than places like Vienna.
HelsinkiBudapest
April 19, 2017 at 8:30 amNo comparison. Even with Finland. I’m at the point where if I see the same prices here as in Finland, I consider it extortion. 😃
iampharaohmaktuk
April 18, 2017 at 1:47 pmSuch incredible food along vati uca. Did you find that old abandoned train station with all the souvenirs and food shops?
Near the bridge across citadella?
And simpla kaert is probly coolest
spot in Budapest haha. I went there 3/8 days I was in Budapest and always made new friends hahahaha
Ishita
April 18, 2017 at 7:18 pmHaha what fun!! I didn’t go to the train station though. Maybe something for next time. I also missed the famous market!
iampharaohmaktuk
April 18, 2017 at 8:05 pmI think the train station is the famous market haha. That was like 5 minutes from my hotel, so I ate there pretty often. Definitely next time 🙂
Ishita
April 18, 2017 at 8:06 pmAh ok. Then I have to go there next time..
Dr B
April 18, 2017 at 11:35 amVery useful post thank you. We have booked to spend Christmas in Budapest which will be our second trip in two years. It’s always good to get someone else’s view of a place, especially as we rarely write about food (!) mostly focusing on history, architecture and museums. Thanks again 🕉👫
Ishita
April 18, 2017 at 1:22 pmYeah me too. I mostly focus on places and history too. But I think food deserves special attention!! Welcome 🙂
sunnydaysinseattle
April 18, 2017 at 10:56 amGreat list!
Ishita
April 18, 2017 at 10:57 amThanks 🙂