Guest post by Zoey Molnar
Are you traveling to Budapest and searching for a great restaurant? Budapest has many, and, of course, it depends on your own preference, but you will love each of the following restaurants as they will give you a genuine taste of Budapest's finest dishes. I chose these restaurants for their ambiance, location, and, of course, awards.
Let's drill down into each one.
COST: The approximate price of the meals is listed next to the title. The $ signs, the more expensive.
#1 Costes Restaurant $$$$
Started in 2010, this is Budapest's first restaurant to receive the honor of a Michelin Star. Michelin Stars are awarded for excellence and is certainly one of the best honors a restaurant's chef can receive.
Chef Miguel Rocha Vieira, the Portuguese head chef is very creative and his dishes are all very unique. This restaurant is located on Raday Utca, also known as "restaurant street," just down from Kalvin Square. It's also near the only hotel on the street, the IBIS Budapest Centrum.
Costes is a restaurant where you want to spend a memorable evening as it is a little bit pricey. You'll find servers who wear white gloves as this restaurant is very formal.
It's known for its International and Hungarian dishes and impeccable service.
Try the hand-rolled pumpkin agnolotti with Parmesan and sage. The venison is also quite tasty. Be prepared for a wonderful culinary experience!
It's become so famous that it's opened another restaurant downtown.
Either restaurant is worth eating at next time you visit Budapest!
#2 Onyx Restaurant $$$
The Onyx is Budapest's second Michelin Star Restaurant.
It's located in Vörösmarty Square, in the middle of lively Budapest.
Try some of the best innovative Hungarian dishes in this city from Chef Szabina Szullo, made with the highest quality of local ingredients.
Several of the Onyx's staff members have won the Hungarian Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs competition.
This is also a very pricey restaurant, but lunches are less expensive. Lunches are offered with three, four, or six-course meals, with dinners offering six or eight courses.
Both presentation and preparation are important to the Onyx, using the freshest ingredients possible.
Try the water buffalo tartar or the Oxtail consommé.
This restaurant also has wonderful service, with an opulent interior and an excellent wine menu. It is their hope that you have a unique gourmet experience that you will remember for a lifetime.
Reservations are highly recommended but can be made online.
#3 Borkonyha $$$
This is one of Budapest's most popular restaurants and is one of the newer eateries in the city.
Borkonyha WineKitchen is located in District V downtown.
It's a modern French-bistro styled offering traditional Hungarian dishes with more than 200 varieties of Hungarian wines.
Chef Ákos Sárközi brings a contemporary style all of his own at this Michelin-starred restaurant. Though not quite as pricey as other restaurants, it is still a local favorite. You'll find daily specials written on a chalkboard.
Highly recommended is their signature appetizer, foie gras (liver of a duck or goose) wrapped in strudel pastry. Try it with a glass of one of Hungary's most famous wine, Tokaj.
The mangalica, a distinctive type of beef or pork, is also a dish you should absolutely try as it is amazing!
Borkonyha uses only the finest cuts of steaks and is offering a 5-course tasting menu. You'll love the laid-back atmosphere and the terrace on the street, but it is mandatory to get a reservation as seating goes quickly.
#4 Alabárdos Restaurant $$$$
This restaurant is located in District I, known as the Castle District, on Buda Hill. It's where you'll find one of Budapest's most notable castles, Buda Castle. You can see Buda Castle Hill from anywhere in Budapest.
Your taste buds will enjoy some of the best Hungarian cuisine found at the Alabárdos, including several of the most popular dishes such as goulash, beef stew, chicken paprikash, or stuffed cabbage.
You'll love the medieval setting in an old Gothic building that's 400 years old. The views are amazing on top of the hill. It's the perfect place for a special occasion or romantic dinner as you'll be serenaded with live classical music in a candle-lit setting.
You can choose from a menu or two courses will be prepared at your table: grilled duck liver, polenta roasted with walnut, flambéed beetroot, fried potatoes, and a green pepper sauce with a rib of suckling pig.
The service, food, and surroundings are well worth your time to visit!
#5 Bock Bistro $$
Bock Bistro is located on the Grand Boulevard in District VII in the Corinthia Hotel Budapest.
You'll first notice the spaciousness of the restaurant with amazing light from the windows overlooking Erzsébet körút.
It has won the "Bib Gourmand" award by Michelin Guide for its outstanding value for the money. It was named after József Bock, a famed Hungarian wine producer. Well-known chef Lajos Bíro, has won awards for his Hungarian cuisine and unusual flavorful dishes.
This restaurant is known for its finger food, similar to the tapas found in Spain.
The Bock Bistro also has an extensive wine list from wineries from all different regions in Hungary, such as Tokaj, Balaton, Neszmély, Eger, and Somló.
The atmosphere is very friendly with superb service. It's popular with locals and tourists who especially love a terrific tasting wine with an appetizer or meal. Reservations are recommended.
#6 Buddies Burger Somogyi Belautca $
If you are looking for something inexpensive, but with really good food, Buddies Burger is the best place to go! It is American food, but sometimes when you're traveling, you just want a good burger.
You'll be able to get to the restaurant using light rail, metro or bus. The metro station that's the closet is Blaha Lujza Ter, about a three-minute walk.
Using the absolute best quality and freshest ingredients is what Buddies Burgers are known for. There is something on their menu that everyone will like! They usually have something new and different on their menu from month to month and will cook the burgers to your request.
They have very spicy burgers, like the Spicy Buddie, or the very popular Ranch and a cheeseburger. Try something different for a change!
#7 Bestia $
Bestia is a typical Hungarian restaurant located in front of the Basilica--its location is the reason for its budget-friendly prices. In Hungarian, "Bestia" means "Beast," so if you like spicy, intense tastes, you'll love this place! Their style hasn't changed since the restaurant opened.
They cook with a lot of meat, and their best meals are Hungarian specialties such as paprikas, gulyas, and pörkölt.Like all Hungarian restaurants, they use a lot of spices, especially paprika.
Also, try some of their Hungarian beers--they offer many different kinds. In our opinion, their best meal is gulyas, which is served in a small pot. The ratio of meat to vegetables is ideal, and it's created in the style of a normal Hungarian household. This meal is under $10 per person, so you won't have to empty your wallet for an extraordinary experience.
Conclusion
Choosing only five restaurants was not easy, but the above listed are truly some of the best places to eat a wonderful meal in Budapest.
The Queen of the Danube offers a thriving downtown area that is becoming one of the top tourist attractions in Europe. With its beautiful setting along the Danube and historical beauty, no wonder it is a tourist mecca.
One of the best things we love about traveling is tasting local cuisine and visiting some of the top-rated restaurants. Budapest has some of the spiciest and most delectable foods you'll find anywhere in the world. Bon Appétit!
Guest post by Zoey.
