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Top 10 restaurants in Budapest

The best restaurants in Budapest, all tested by the members of our agency!

Michelin restaurants with reasonable prices, Hungarian cuisine and cocktail bars.

One of the most famous newspapers in the world, "The Times", published in May an article about the TOP restaurants in the Hungarian capital. Thus, we can surely say that Budapest must be visited not only in terms of historic heritage and landmarks, but for the top quality gastronomy either, including several Michelin starred restaurants.

The first top Michelin-starred restaurant is Borkonyha, The Wine kitchen.

Customer rewievs:
"Their food and tastes are memorable. It is one of the three Michelin-starred restaurants in Budapest."
"The staff is friendly and very welcoming"
"Follows the rules of a true Michelin restaurant."
"The restaurant offers a high quality wine list, with over 200 hungarian wines, and you can enjoy dishes prepared from the famous "Mangalita" pig breed."

LOCAL’S HANGOUT (restaurantCAFE KOR)

Insider review: Historical photos of the city adorn the walls at this central restaurant right by St Stephen’s Basilica. Equally good for breakfast, lunch or dinner although lunchtime has the best atmosphere when the locals pour in. There’s no fussy pretence here — the menu, scribbled on white paper, hangs from the terracotta coloured walls and it’s a cosy squeeze. Ask the staff to recommend one of the locally sourced specials (garlicky roasted pike perch, perhaps). Beware, this place is cash only.

RUIN BARS (SZIMPLA)

Insider review: The daddy of Budapest’s unique “ruin bars”, Szimpla is Budapest’s most popular bar. The former industrial space has been transformed into a junk wonderland of exposed pipework, fairy lights and clutter — chairs and televisions hang inelegantly from the ceiling. Inside is a phantasmagoria of derelict cars, bathtubs, belly dancers and live bands spread over a labyrinth of rooms.

CHECK MATE (Chess Restaurant)

Insider review: The finest fish in Budapest can be found here — go for the sea bass with spaghetti and peperonata. The dining room is covered in hypnotising black-and-white tiles just like, you guessed it, a chessboard. A serenading piano soundtrack tinkles away in the background. If the sun is shining ask to be seated in the jazz garden outside — live music is performed on Thursday-Sunday evenings. A fantastic date-night spot.

SPECIAL OCCASION (Onyx)

Insider review: You’ll want to save up for the six-course Hungarian Evolution menu at this grand, Michelin-starred venue on Vörösmarty Square — it transforms Hungarian staples into eye (and stomach) grabbing haute cuisine. Each dish is as pretty as a picture, as is the 55-seat dining room with its plush Regency chairs and huge mirrors. If you’re going a la carte, don’t miss the young wild boar cheek stew with buttered noodles and pickled paprika.

NIGHT AT THE MUZEUM (Muzeum)

Insider review: Walking into Muzeum is like waltzing back in time. The imperial-era dining room is all dark hand-carved wood panels, chandeliers, Venetian mirrors and crisp linen. No surprises to find out the restaurant has been there since 1885, the clientele are writers and politicians and the menu is as traditional as they come. Start with goulash soup with pinched pasta and green pepper, followed by goose leg and warm cabbage salad with apple. A must try is the array of pálinka, the nation’s fruity favourite spirit.

LAZY LUNCH (Kiosk)

Insider review: Down by the Danube with glorious views of the Erzsébet Bridge is Kiosk. The restaurant has taken over a former university theatre and the interior puts on a dazzlingly show —there’s dramatic spot lighting, sweeping balconies and triple-height windows. It rustles up excellent Sunday comfort food. Our pick of the menu would be the burger trio (beef, goose liver, pork) which come slathered in cheese. For something a little lighter by Hungarian standard go for goulash soup. Park yourself here for the afternoon.

MEAT, MEAT, MEAT (Terminal)

Insider review: Housed in an old bus station — hence the name — this is an uber-trendy spot popular with locals. The menu fuses modern and traditional Hungarian cuisine, with the bountiful barbecue the focus on many diners’ visits. Go for the crispy ham hock piled with potatoes and coleslaw. Or, if you’re really hungry, the BBQ plate. Word of warning: don’t expect to be overly active after dining here.

GO GREEK (Taverna Dionysos)

Insider review: Ignore the slightly naff faux-Grecian decor and you’ll find an enormously popular taverna packed with tourists and locals alike. The menu’s fish options seem endless so go for the souvlaki Thalassino (a mix of grilled seafood) or opt for meltingly soft mousaka. If the weather allows ask to dine outside on the terrace beneath giant sky-blue awning, with its panorama of Gellért Hill.

COCKTAIL CLUB (Boutiq Bar)

Insider review:Manned by the beardiest barmen in Budapest, Boutiq serves the best cocktails in Pest at this sharp-lined, super-scarlet bar. They take whimsical to the next level with drinks served up in anything from science beakers to tin cans to tiny treasure chests. Be sure to try the Unicum – a Hungarian favourite made from more than 40 herbs and aged in oak casks. Not one to be tried on an empty stomach.

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