The Best Food to Try in Budapest, Hungary
Hope you like paprika!!
#1 - Gulyás
Goulash is the best-known Hungarian dish, so you’ll have to try it several times while you’re here. Pretty much every Hungarian restaurant will serve it, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity. It is a broth soup made with tender meat, potatoes, vegetables, and lots of paprika. It will either come with dumplings or bread for you to soak up the great flavours.
#2 - Chicken Paprikash
Chicken paprikash is very popular with tourists. It is slow-cooked chicken (usually dark meat) that is drenched in paprika gravy. Since sour cream rules in Hungary, it covers the top of the dish. Usually served with dumplings or another starch. You may want to share this one since it’s so rich.
#3 - Langos
This is a very popular street food among locals. It is fried dough (like a funnel cake consistency), traditionally topped with sour cream, onions, and grated cheese. You can also find other more modern toppings, such as hamburger, gyro meat, chips, grilled fish, and even hot dogs. One thing’s for sure with all of them: it’s a calorie bomb! But hey, if you’re walking several miles that day, does it really matter?!
#4 - Pörkölt
If this dish looks familiar, it’s because some people confuse this with goulash. Actually, it’s its own dish here in Hungary. It is slow-cooked beef that is stewed with onions, vegetables, along with paprika and other spices. It is so tender, it might be easier to eat it with a spoon. It’s very chunky and does not typically contain potatoes, contrary to traditional Hungarian goulash. Pair with a Unicum and you’ll be full for the next couple of days.
#5 - Hortobágyi palacsinta
So this was my personal favourite dish in Budapest. It is a thin crepe that is stuffed with shredded chicken that’s been cooking in spices. I bet you can’t guess what the dominate spice is! JK. As someone who is missing tex-mex right now while living in England, this was a great chicken enchilada replacement for me. I probably ate this every day while on our trip. It’s covered in paprika gravy and sour cream, so it definitely tastes familiar if you’re from Texas.
#6 - Kolbász
It seems every country has their own version of sausage, and Hungary is no exception to that. You can typically find paprika sausage at many bars around Budapest, usually served with french fries. It’s not spicy, but it does add a lot of nice flavour. Definetely a great snack to share with family or friends.
#7 - Rántott Sajt
Technically, this is fried cheese. However, we noticed Rántott Sajt can also mean grilled cheese. And when they say grilled cheese, they literally mean grilled cheese. This is just a hunk of cheese that they either grill or fry. It’s not a sandwich. You get what you pay for… who needs bread?! This was great for me as a casual vegetarian in a meat-heavy culture.
#8 - Dobos Torta
This is a very nice sweet dessert perfect for after a meal or with a cup of tea. It’s a chocolate cake with 5-7 layers of sponge cake between layers of chocolate filling. It feels very delicate and posh eating it, but you can find this in any type of restaurant or cafe. It is quite rich, but it’s perfect for those with a sweet tooth.
#9 - Somlói Galuska
This dessert won the award in Brussels at the World Exhibition in 1958. It is very popular here and can come in many forms. It is a trifle sponge cake that is soaked in rum, along with custard, raisins, chocolate ganache, nuts, and cream on top. It has some unique flavour contrasts from the rum, chocolate, and dried fruit. It may not be the best dessert for everyone, but we thoroughly enjoyed it!
#10 - Gelato Rosa
You may be thinking this is just a tourist trap gelato shop that is super overrated. Well, it is touristy, but locals seem to enjoy it as well. It is very beautiful how they create flowers out of gelato, but it’s the flavours that keep people coming back. Honestly, we were shocked by how good it actually tasted. And this is coming from people who lived in Italy at one point. Each row of pedals can have a different flavour, so you get to make your own creation. It’s a lot of fun and is worth the visit for a nice treat!
Here are our recommendations for the best restaurants in Budapest!
Menza = classy patio and indoor dining option (best Hortobágyi palacsinta)
Cafe Kor = good restaurant near St Stephen’s Basilica
Vendiak = great drinks and desserts
0,75 Bar and Bistro = another solid cafe near St Stephen’s Basilica (good desserts too)
Gettó Gulyás = fun restaurant in the old Jewish district
Tüköry Étterem = fun traditional restaurant that has a menu like a catalogue
Hungarikum Bisztró = great traditional restaurant that’s hard to get a table, so make reservations beforehand
Gelato Rosa = this is where you’ll get your Instagramible gelato in the shape of a rose… and it’s wayy more delicious
