Al Dente

Al Dente is a hidden gem among Budapest's neighbourhood restaurants. It specialises in authentic Italian cuisine, featuring delightful dishes like bruschetta, calzone, lasagne, gnocchi, and notably, some of the city's finest pizza. The menu concludes on a sweet note with options like tiramisu, panna cotta, or cannoli. Nestled on a quiet and beautiful street, Al Dente offers a very atmospheric dining experience, making it a cherished find for those seeking genuine Italian flavors in Budapest.

• Address:

  Budapest, Krúdy utca 9

• Phone:

  +36 30 442 3833

Borkonyha

Borkonyha is a mix of a contemporary family restaurant and a French bistro, though the chef Ákos Sárközi often includes Spanish and Italian specialities on the menu as well. A huge part of their concept is their extensive wine list, which includes 200 different wines, most of them Hungarian. This was the third Hungarian restaurant to win a Michelin star, so quality is high.

• Web:

  https://borkonyha.hu

• E-mail:

  borkonyha@borkonyha.hu

• Address:

  Budapest, Sas utca 3

• Phone:

  +36 1 266 0835

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 6pm–midnight, Sat noon–midnight, Sun closed

• Subway:

  Metro 1,2 or 3 to Deák Ferenc tér, then cross Elisabeth Park and walk along Sas utca

Costes Downtown

The second venue of the Costes team serving fine courses inspired by local and international cuisine, all made of unique ingredients from quail to mangalica. An elegant, bistro-style restaurant that was awarded a Michelin star shortly after its opening.

• Web:

  https://costesdowntown.hu

• E-mail:

  reservation@costesdowntown.hu

• Address:

  Budapest, Vigyázó Ferenc utca 5

• Phone:

  +36 20 926 7837

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sat noon–3pm / 6pm–11pm; Sun & Mon closed

Déryné

Déryné is Buda's symbolic restaurant, heavily frequented by locals living west of the Danube. It opened in the 1910s and served several well-known artists at the time, but it welcomes today's visitors with the same quality and hospitality. It offers Hungarian and French-style dishes along with homemade bakery products that are the subject of acclaim in the entire city.

• Web:

  https://deryne.com

• E-mail:

  friends@deryne.com

• Address:

  Budapest, Krisztina tér 3

• Phone:

  +36 1 225 1407

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Wed 8am–midnight, Thu & Fri 8am–1am, Sat 9am–1am, Sun 9am–midnight

Fakanál

Housed in the busy Great Market Hall, Fakanál is a traditional restaurant serving Hungarian meals in an authentic setting accompanied by live gipsy music. A vibrant atmosphere is guaranteed here, either because of the events they host, or the pálinka shots that are always in high demand (and a must for every visitor).

• Web:

  www.fakanaletterem.hu

• E-mail:

  info@fakanaletterem.hu

• Address:

  Budapest, Vámház körút 1-3

• Opening hours:

  Mon 10am–4:30pm, Tue–Fri 10am–5:30pm, Sat 10am–2:30pm, Sun closed

Fecske Presszó

Fecske Presszó is a casual and budget-friendly restaurant and bar popular among local students. The menu features dishes inspired by Hungarian and international cuisine, with highlights such as sausage ratatouille and stuffed potato pies. Fecske offers both outdoor terrace seating under a leafy canopy and quaint underground nooks.

• Web:

  https://fecskepresszo.hu

• Address:

  Budapest, Baross utca 10

• Phone:

  +36 1 293 1980

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat noon–midnight, Sun noon–11pm

4es6os Wesselényi

You'll probably not leave Budapest without hopping on trams 4 and 6 several times as you make your way through the Grand Boulevard of the city. This popular and affordable chain has several easily recognisable venues along what is also the busiest tram line in the world. Sports broadcasts, table football, and a vibrating atmosphere every day of the week.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/negyhatwesselenyi

• E-mail:

  46wesselenyi@gmail.com

• Address:

  Budapest, Erzsébet körút 28

• Phone:

  +36 20 200 1000

• Opening hours:

  Daily noon–5pm

A38

A38 is a floating venue for night-long entertainment, unmissable near Petőfi Bridge on the Buda side. A reconstructed Ukrainian ship equipped with several bars, a restaurant, and a concert hall that hosts hip artists several days a week and throws some of the most popular dance parties in the capital.

• Web:

  www.a38.hu/en

• E-mail:

  info@a38.hu

• Address:

  Budapest, Petőfi híd

• Phone:

  +36 1 464 3940

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 8am–11pm, Sun 8am–10pm

Gozsdu Court

Arguably Budapest's busiest pedestrian street, Gozsdu is filled with trendy bars, eateries and nightclubs, welcoming visitors from the afternoon until late in the night. The stylish decors and murals are worth even a simple stroll through this covered courtyard, which turns into a flea market every weekend.

• Web:

  www.gozsduudvar.hu/en

• Address:

  Budapest, Gozsdu udvar

• Opening hours:

  Always open

• More info:

  Beware of pickpockets as it can get very crowded

Grandio Jungle Bar

Housed in one of Budapest's most popular party hostels serving booze around the clock, Grandio Jungle Bar is a place where you can hang out with other visitors and have some pre-drinks for an extended pub crawl in the party neighbourhood.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/grandio_budapest

• E-mail:

  grandiobar@gmail.com

• Address:

  Budapest, Nagy Diófa utca 8

• More info:

  Closed during winter

Instant-Fogas

With 6 dance floors, 18 bars, plus two gardens, Instant-Fogas is an unmissable party haven of the nightlife district, hosting various music events and throwing some of the longest parties in town — and equipped with a map of the venue, in the likely case you get lost inside.

• Web:

  https://instant-fogas.com

• E-mail:

  info@instant-fogas.com

• Address:

  Budapest, Akácfa utca 51

• Phone:

  +36 70 638 5040

• Opening hours:

  Daily 6pm–6am

Kisüzem

If Szimpla Kert is too international for you, head to Kisüzem: this small but busy pub gets filled with locals every day of the week, enjoying the moderately priced, vast drink selection and relaxed atmosphere in Budapest's crazy party neighbourhood.

• E-mail:

  kisuzem@gmail.com

• Address:

  Budapest, Kis Diófa utca 2

• Phone:

  +36 1 781 6705

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Wed noon–1am, Thu–Sat noon–2am

Artigiana Gelati

A tranquil walk in Buda's residential area will give you a completely different picture of the otherwise vibrant capital. This Italian artisanal ice cream shop is located conveniently next to Városmajor, Buda's green oasis, and offers an ample selection of fine ice cream flavours, arguably among the best in town. The Sacher torte flavour will surely make you come back for more.

• Address:

  Budapest, Csaba utca 8

• Phone:

  +36 1 212 2439

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sun 11am–7pm, Mon closed

Auguszt Cukrászda

A family-run confectionery business with deep-rooted traditions and devotion to serving desserts of varied flavour and exceptional quality. The first Auguszt opened in 1870; now they have three locations in town.

• Address:

  Budapest, Kossuth Lajos utca 14-16

• Phone:

  +36 1 337 6379

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sat 10am–6pm, Sun & Mon closed

Cafe Frei

Cafe Frei is a popular franchise founded by traveller-journalist Tamás Frei, featuring over 70 coffee specialties from five continents, bringing you genuine flavours from as far as Brazil and the Himalayas. With several locations in town, usually directly linked to a bookshop of the Hungarian chain Libri.

• Web:

  www.cafefrei.hu

• Address:

  Budapest, Váci utca 74

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9am–7pm

Callas Café

Callas Café is located next to the Opera House in a neo-Renaissance building, constructed in 1880. It changed hands several times in the early 20th century and also served as the headquarters of a British bank between the wars. Today, it provides an elegant setting to enjoy Hungarian flavours with live salon music, or simply a drink before an opera performance.

• E-mail:

  callascafe@gmail.com

• Address:

  Budapest, Andrássy útja 20

• Phone:

  +36 1 354 0954

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sat noon–midnight, Sun noon–11pm, Mon closed

Cat Café

A small friendly café near the Opera House, welcoming visitors with cakes, paninis, coffee and cocktails, along with cosy, cushioned seats, cat-themed art and souvenirs, but most importantly, 15 permanent feline residents to keep you purrfect company.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/cat_cafe_budapest

• E-mail:

  info@catcafebudapest.hu

• Address:

  Budapest, Révay utca 3

• Phone:

  +36 20 617 3301

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–9pm

Centrál Grand Cafe & Bar

First opened in 1887, Centrál Grand Cafe was one of the most important intellectual venues in the country, serving coffee to the most prominent scientists and writers of the time. Today, its mission is to evoke the atmosphere that prevailed at the turn of the century by serving traditional Hungarian treats in a restored Art Nouveau galleried interior.

• Web:

  https://centralgrandcafe.hu/en

• E-mail:

  info@centralgrandcafe.hu

• Address:

  Budapest, Károlyi utca 9

• Phone:

  +36 30 945 8058

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Tue 9am–10pm, Wed–Sat 9am–midnight