Budapest Guidebook
Best and worst restaurants:
Best: 21 Hungarian Kitchen; Market Hall; Belvarosi Lugas Etterem
Why: We really enjoyed 21 Hungarian Kitchen, a Bib Gourmand restaurant on Castle Hill (p 53 of the book). It was more expensive than most other restaurants we ate at, but it was not unreasonable for lunch, service was good, no smoking was allowed, and the food was excellent. At almost the other end of the dining spectrum, we again enjoyed eating at stalls in the Market Hall, especially the langos stand and a goulash seller nearby. Nothing better than a tin bucket of goulash on a 30 degree day! Belvarosi Lugas Etterem had good traditional food in large portions at very reasonable prices.
Worst: Szent Jupat
Why: We entered the restaurant at about 7 with our party of three and was first told they were fully committed for the night. No one else was waiting for a table, so we asked if we could wait and were told yes. We were seated about 15 minutes later, when a different waiter came to our table and told us we couldn't have it. He and the waiter who seated us argued and we were left at the table. (No one else was waiting.) After over 20 minutes waiting (really -- I looked at my watch) when no one had taken our order, we gave up and went elsewhere. Our experience was not unique -- many other tables were waiting as well -- but without hope of food, we gave up.
Amy in Chicago, IL USA 12/04/2011
Best: Cafe Intenzo
Why: lovely, quiet courtyard garden; tasty food; nice service
Madeleine in Redlands, CA USA 11/27/2011
Best: Ket Szeceren, Alexandra bookstore, Cafe Gerbeaud
Why: pretty setting at Ket, great atmospheres at the 2 cafes, welcoming service all over
Philip Braverman in New York, NY USA 09/05/2011
Worst: Central kafehaus
Why: We actually left instead of having a meal there. The server was extraordinarily pushy - he wanted us to order wine before I'd even sat down. We are budget travelers - two 24 year old students. However, we're used to nice restaurants at home and were excited for the opportunity to go here. We wanted wine but the list was rather pricey, so we went for a bottle of the 20 euro cab. The server first suggested that we go for something "more special.". I said that I was sure it'd be fine. He then straight up said that we should spend more money. I said no, than you, thats ok. Then he did again. Once he gave up and left, my friend and I decided to cancel the order and leave. We've gotten used to eastern European pushiness, but this was over the top.
Emily fink in West Chester, pa USA 07/18/2011
Best:
Why: Loved the ambience and food at the Central Kavehaz.
Larry Iversen in Bremerton, WA USA 07/02/2011
Best: Fozelekfalo Etelbar
Why: Excellent food (not greasy), large portions, friendly service, and unbelievably cheap prices.
Gabrielle Donnald in Sykesville, MD USA 11/29/2010
Best: Belvarosi Lugas Etterem
Why: Theirs was the best goulash we had, and all the food was good. A simple, homely restaurant, we liked it a lot.
Marina in Washington, DC USA 10/18/2010
Best: Café Kör; and (2) Belvárosi Lugas Étterem.
Why: Two restaurants we really enjoyed were: (1) Café Kör; and (2) Belvárosi Lugas Étterem. We thought Café Kör was the best of all restaurants during our vacation, (that included Prague and Vienna), and it is especially convenient for a late dinner after seeing the Folklore show just a couple of blocks away at the Duna Palata (reservation not necessarily needed, but suggested . . . note, depending on the evening, the kitchen may stop taking orders at 10:00 pm). For Belvárosi Lugas Étterem, as “RS” recommends, be sure to order your carbohydrates separate (even noodles to accompany beef stroganoff).
Gary & Kathy Hughes in Marion, IA USA 09/28/2010
Best: Dunacorso Restaurant
Why: A wonderful dinner with 3 musicians playing and good wine for 7900 FT ($36.30/2 people). This may be in the tourist area near the Marriott but the quality of the the food was outstanding.
Worst: Gerloczy Cafe
Why: We were looking for an authentic Hungarian dinner and the beef stew and salad was not good. We tried this cafe based on the recommendations of others and we would not agree with their recommendation.
Dick Simpson in Cincinnati, OH USA 09/26/2010
Best: Klassz
Why: Unbelievably good food and service for low prices. This was one of our favorite experiences of the trip.
Barbara Moors in Ypsilanti, MI USA 08/14/2010
Worst: Muvesz Kavehaz
Why: We actually walked away from this restaurant--after waiting too long for a snobbish waiter to finish talking to his co-workers, then finding that the advertised special written on the chalkboard in front was "not available." Just around the corner on Nagymezo utca, we found a much less expensive little restaurant with a much more interesting menu (carrot soup with ginger, tuna tartare. The name of this lovely place is Ket Szerecsen.
Teri in Pittsburgh, PA USA 07/25/2010
Best: All the restaurants, cafes and bistros
Why: We relied heavily on your tips and they all proved out. Over 7 days, we probably sampled about a dozen of them.
Richard and Karen in Montpelier, VT USA 01/27/2010
Best: Jupiter?
Why: I may have the name wrong. Very good food in a very local place
cathy in victoria, BC canada 11/04/2009
Best: Mensa & Soul Cafe
Why: Yummy and gorgeous places to sit and people watch.. food was great
Laurianna Murray in Minneapolis, MN USA 07/31/2009
Best: Menza
Why: Great food and a quiet shady outdoor patio.
Heather in Cleveland, OH USA 07/29/2009
Worst: La Porta di Taormina Ristorante
Why: There was nothing good about this restaurant on our first night in Budapest. They served pizza cold that we waited an hour for. They recommended wine that was stale and the service was so unfriendly we would not recommend going back again. We were the ONLY customers in the restaurant on a Saturday night at 20:00 (8pm) - now that tells you something.
Trisha H. in San Francisco, CA USA 07/19/2009
Best: Trattoria Toscana
Why: It was very busy on Sat. night and we wanted to get away from quite so many tourists. It was a pretty long walk from the Chain Bridge area and we were tired after walking all day, but it was certainly worth the walk. We were nervous when they asked if we had a reservation (we didn't) but they said they could seat us if we'd go in the no smoking area. No problem there! The food was great, their house red was good, the waiters were friendly and we had an excellent, reasonably priced meal. A really nice evening.
Jan Baker in Arlington , TX USA 05/29/2009
Best: The Gerloczy Cafe
Why: We loved sitting outside in this lovely, quiet, treefilled corner of Pest. The ambiance and food were amazing. So much so, we returned twice!
Worst: Szent Jupat
Why: This might be a fine recommendation for those who enjoy heavy, fried food. But as a healthy eater, I was very disappointed with the food here. Also, we forgot to specifically request a table outdoors and were not offered that option when we were greeted.
Andrea Cole in Rockville, MD USA 05/26/2009