One thing is sure – travelers will never go hungry in Hungary! Before the trip, I was not familiar with Hungarian cuisine, so I was looking forward to visiting Budapest and learning more about the city’s food culture. I was pleasantly surprised by what I encountered, and it’s a shame that Hungarian cuisine is not as popular as Italian or French cuisine in the U.S. As someone who follows a mainly vegetarian diet, with the occasional fillet of fish, I was delighted to discover that many Hungarian restaurants feature plenty of fresh produce and some hearty vegetarian meals.
During my time in Budapest, as part of the Rick Steves’ Europe Best of Prague and Budapest tour, I had the opportunity to participate in a cooking class at Chef Parade. This deep dive into Hungarian cuisine gave me a better understanding of the country’s traditional dishes, which can best be described as “comforting”.
Unlike the United States, tipping is not “strongly suggested” in Budapest. In many restaurants, when paying with a credit card, there is no option to leave a tip on the receipt. In these cases, it is best to tip in cash and give it directly to your waiter.
Note: Prices listed are what I paid in USD based on the exchange between May 30th and June 2nd, 2024. Tips are not included in the cost.
Gerlóczy Kávéház
The dinner at Gerlóczy Kávéház was the tour group’s “Welcome to Budapest” and my first time trying Hungarian-style food. Located in a quiet corner of downtown Budapest, Gerlóczy Kávéház is a cafe and restaurant that offers patrons great food and a wonderful dining atmosphere. Our dining experience was enhanced by a pianist who treated the group to lovely classical music throughout our meal.
This meal included a drink, salad, entree, and dessert. For my drink, I opted for my usual lemonade, and at Gerlóczy Kávéház, they make an interesting one flavored with elderflower. The salad was a standard Caesar salad except that the croutons were sliced rather than cubed. As for the entree, it consisted of roasted eggplant, barley topped with pomegranate seeds and roasted vegetables, and a side of tahini. And the dessert was a traditional Hungarian chocolate Lúdláb with sour cherries. I did order a coffee to enjoy alongside the dessert, but I forgot to take a picture of it (I was too focused on the chocolate cake).
Overall, I was very impressed with this meal and will say that my entree is one of the best vegetarian meals I’ve ever had! It can be a challenge to find a delicious, hearty vegetarian dish at a restaurant, and this one was a homerun. Together with the ambiance and service, this is one restaurant that travelers must try when visiting Budapest.
Cost: Dinner was part of the tour. The coffee was an extra charge and cost $5.51.
Best Brisket & Burger at Basilica
(UPDATE September 2025 – Sadly, it appears that B4 has closed permanently, but I am leaving this review as a tribute to their amazing quesadilla.)
My tourmate and I discovered Best Brisket & Burger at Basilica (B4) by chance while walking around looking for a place to get a quick bite before our evening Danube Cruise. Located next to St. Stephen’s Basilica, hence the name, B4 specializes in smashed burgers, steak sandwiches, and quesadillas. I ordered the classic quesadilla box, which comes with loaded fries (fries topped with pickled red onion, parmesan, and parsley with a side of the house sauce). Wow, B4 found a way to turn an ordinary quesadilla into extraordinary! It was flavorful, and the cheese was splendid. The French fries were also excellent, complemented by the pickled red onions, which offered a unique flavor combination.
B4 is a great spot for travelers in search of a quick, budget-friendly meal, and it is also a good place to escape the crowds.
Cost: $11.06 (quesadilla box plus bottle of water)
Gundel Cafe
I will admit that the visit to Gundel Cafe was one of the highlights of my trip. Not only was the pancake dish heavenly, but the interior of the cafe was astonishingly beautiful. This 130-year-old establishment is decorated with intricate woodwork, beautiful murals, and elegant stained glass and mirrors. The group was treated to the famous Gundel pancake, which is filled with ground walnuts flavored with orange peel and topped with chocolate sauce and toasted nuts. For my coffee, I selected a latte.
I also give Gundel Cafe bonus points because elephants, one of my favorite animals, are part of their theme!
Gundel Cafe, located in Budapest’s Városliget (City Park), is definitely worth a visit. Between the splendid interior and the delicious food, this restaurant promises a memorable experience during your time in the city.
Cost: Coffee and dessert were part of the tour.
Vígvarjú Étterem
The dinner at Vígvarjú Étterem was bittersweet because it was not only the “Farewell to Budapest” meal but also the final meal of the tour. Vígvarjú Étterem is a restaurant situated in the Pesti Vigadó building, which dates back to 1833 and is designed in the Greek Revival style. Located on the Pest side of the city, this restaurant is charming and elegant, capturing the essence of Old Europe.
For the final meal, the group was treated to quite the feast! We were offered bread, an appetizer, an entree, and dessert, plus a drink and coffee (not sure how I managed to finish all my dishes!). To start, there was a selection of three dips: tuna cream, smoky aubergine (eggplant) cream, and feta cheese. The dips were delicious and definitely sufficient to share with others. For this meal, I selected the fish option, which consisted of a fillet of fish, barley, and pureed and roasted vegetables. As for dessert, it was a mini chocolate cake with sauce, crushed nuts, and fruit, along with a cappuccino. Overall, the meal was absolutely superb with every component being flavorful and well-prepared.
A notable aspect of the Vígvarjú Étterem is its “Crowfarmers Pantry Program”, a program where the restaurant contracts with Hungarian farmers, providing them the opportunity to have a reliable, long-term business partner. The restaurant’s menu highlights dishes that are part of the program with a little crow icon. The menu also uses variations of the crow icon to indicate dishes that do not contain dairy and/or gluten.
Cost: Dinner was part of the tour.
Callas Cafe and Restaurant
My meal at Callas Cafe and Restaurant marked the end of my great 2024 European journey. I stayed an extra day in Budapest, as did a few of my tourmates, so we all decided to meet one last time for dinner. Callas Cafe and Restaurant is located on Andrassy Ut, right next to the Hungarian Opera House. The restaurant has a beautiful, elegant interior, making it a splendid choice for a romantic dinner or a place to celebrate a special occasion.
As the only vegetarian options were pasta dishes, I decided to try the salmon with a side of vegetables. The fish and vegetables were well-seasoned, but the center portion of the fillet was slightly undercooked. My tourmates, who all ordered beef and chicken dishes, had positive comments about their meals.
I do recommend Callas Cafe and Restaurant, but it is definitely not a budget-friendly eatery. Side dishes are not included with many of the entrees and are an additional cost. Also, this restaurant charges a 15% service fee on each check.
Cost: $37.07 (includes a 15% service fee)
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