Eat like a local in Budapest by ordering some of these classic Hungarian dishes, from hearty meat-laden entrees to sweets and savory snacks.
Lángos
For a classic comfort meal on the go, choose a Lángos, a deep fried doughy flatbread eaten hot and topped with sour cream and shredded cheese or garlic butter (or all of the above). These hearty snacks are served year-round and are an affordable savory treat. The perfect Lángos should be crispy on the outside and soft and thick in the middle. They are sometimes made with potato (krumplis lángos) and occasionally served with sausage (kolbász) on top.
Where to eat Lángos in Budapest: Retro Bufe on Arany Janos Street serves Langos all day and all night (it’s open until 6am on Fridays and Saturdays for night owls and early risers).
Kürtőskalács (chimney cake)
These sweet treats are made from long strips of sugary dough wrapped around cone-shaped antlers that are brushed with butter and roasted over charcoal. The sugar caramelizes to form a crunchy layer and when the dough is removed from the grill, steam is released from the center like a chimney (the English translation of kürtőskalács is ‘chimney cake’). Before serving, it is usually sprinkled with toppings like cinnamon or ground walnuts and is designed to be shared, with each person tearing off a strip of the hot, sweet, and crunchy batter. They are especially popular during the festive season and are sold at Christmas markets throughout the city.
Where to eat kürtőskalács in Budapest: There are tons of stalls selling these sweets all over the city. The quality is pretty consistent, but be sure to order a freshly cooked kürtőskalács rather than one that has been on display for a while. The stall at the corner of Andrássy Avenue and Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Street is popular with locals.
Stuffed cabbage (col rellena)
Stuffed cabbage is a popular dish in much of Eastern Europe, as well as parts of Asia. The Hungarian specialty features cooked cabbage leaves stuffed with ground pork and beef, rice, tomatoes, and sauerkraut. As with many Hungarian dishes, it is generously flavored with paprika. This comforting dish is usually eaten in winter and is definitely worth a try in Hungary as it is difficult to put together at home.
Where to eat töltött káposzta in Budapest: Százéves restaurant has served traditional Hungarian dishes such as stuffed cabbage since 1831. It is the oldest restaurant in the city and often hosts live gypsy bands.
Goulash
Hungary’s national dish tends to be served as a stew in most parts of the world, but an authentic gulyás is actually a thin broth made from chunks of meat cooked with onion, paprika, tomato, and pepper. It is usually served with fresh white bread and spicy chopped paprika on the side. It is traditionally a peasant dish and was originally cooked by shepherds in cast iron kettles over open fires. You will still find the dish cooked this way in rustic restaurants throughout Hungary, as it is considered the best way to prepare this tasty soup.
Where to eat goulash in Budapest: Baltazar Budapest is a hidden gem in the city’s castle district serving classic Hungarian dishes in a contemporary setting. The goulash here has a very high rating.
Dobos Torta (Pastel de Baterista)
This sweet show is served in coffee shops and bakeries across the country and is a popular celebration cake at weddings and parties. It is made up of 5-7 layers of delicate sponge, each topped with chocolate buttercream and topped with a thick layer of caramelized sugar (for a satisfying crack when touched with a fork). The sides of the cake are usually covered in ground nuts like hazelnuts, walnuts, or almonds. It was invented by pastry chef Jozsef C. Dobos (and was named after him) and was first served to King Franz Joseph I and Queen Elizabeth at the National General Exhibition in Budapest in 1885.
Where to eat Dobos cake in Budapest: In the heart of the Jewish Quarter, Fröhlich Cukrászda is a simple kosher bakery that has been baking traditional cakes for more than half a century.
Sausage (Salchicha)
Sausages are a big problem in Hungary. They are included in dishes served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and appear in stews, soups, salads, and cakes. Kolbász is the umbrella term for Hungarian sausage and many different varieties are offered that are served cooked, boiled, cured or smoked. Don’t leave without trying csabai kolbász, a spicy paprika-flavored sausage; Gyulai kolbász, a beechwood smoked sausage from the city of Gyula; and majas hurka, a boiled liver sausage.
Where to eat k olbász in Budapest: For the best selection of sausages, head to Budapest Central Market, a vast three-story neo-Gothic building filled with stalls selling excellent kolbász, cold cuts, and traditional Hungarian products.
Fruit soup (sopa fría de frutas)
While it may sound like something you would have at the end of a meal, Gyümölcsleves is generally served as a cold dish or a light summer dish. The most popular version of this refreshing delicacy is meggyleves, made from tart cherries, sour cream, and a little sugar. This type of soup is eaten in Central and Eastern Europe, where the stoned fruit grows abundantly in spring and summer.
Where to eat in Gyümölcsleves Budapest: Kispiac Bisztro is a cute little restaurant near the basilica that serves excellent fruit soup all summer long.
