Budapest Guide

András
Budapest Guide

Gasztronómia

While downtown may be the food mecca of Budapest with its Michelin-decorated restaurants, the Jewish Quarter is giving it a run for its money, especially with the diversity of its options. Consider this: within a few minutes of one another, you can have New Orleans-style jambalaya at Soul Food, kosher cholent at Hanna, Vietnamese bánh mì sandwich at Bánh Mì, barbecued meat at Bp BARbq, Japanese ramen at Komachi, and no-frills, old-school Hungarian food at Frici Papa and Kádár Étkezde. In addition, several of Budapest's hottest restaurants are also inside the old Jewish Quarter, including Gettó Gulyás, serving simple-but-tasty Hungarian stew dishes, Mazel Tov, an updated ruin bar, DOBRUMBA, a chic Middle Eastern-themed restaurant, and the snug M. Restaurant. Know before you go that most customers at these places, as in others in the neighborhood, are tourists, because price points are relatively high (although still lower than in Western Europe). The Jewish Quarter's saturated bar scene can feel overwhelming at first, as almost every street is lined with attractive-looking drinking joints. Kisüzem, exuding bohemian vibes, managed to retain a mainly local clientele and serves a broad selection of premium rums from the top shelf. Nappali Kávéház plays in a similar league, except it's stronger on the whiskey front and usually less crowded. Központ and Telep are where Budapest's trendy hipsters hang out. In the outdooor season, you can enjoy low-priced drinks at Kőleves Kert under a canopy of trees.
Traditional Hungarian dishes made with high quality ingredients and much love next to the St. Stephen's Basilica.
15 locals raden deze aan
Pörc & Prézli Étterem
1 Lázár u.
15 locals raden deze aan
Traditional Hungarian dishes made with high quality ingredients and much love next to the St. Stephen's Basilica.
53 locals raden deze aan
Hungarikum Bisztró
13 Steindl Imre u.
53 locals raden deze aan
12 locals raden deze aan
Retek Bisztro
5 Mérleg u.
12 locals raden deze aan
Gozsdu Bistro is located in downtown Budapest within the Jewish quarter. The Bistro is part of the Vicky Barcelona family and provides Hungarian, international and breakfast cuisine. At night Gozsdu bistro turns into a dance bar along with high quality DJ music.
600 locals raden deze aan
Gozsdu Court
Gozsdu udvar
600 locals raden deze aan
Gozsdu Bistro is located in downtown Budapest within the Jewish quarter. The Bistro is part of the Vicky Barcelona family and provides Hungarian, international and breakfast cuisine. At night Gozsdu bistro turns into a dance bar along with high quality DJ music.
With a chic crowd, effortlessly cool design, and a Middle Eastern menu, DOBRUMBA is one of the trendiest restaurants inside Budapest's buzzing Jewish Quarter. The place is especially enjoyable in the warmer months when the oversized windows swing open and the ear-catching electronic music wafts into the street. Unfortunately, the food can fall short. I've had several unremarkable meals here, but the labneh (€3) and the baba ganoush starters (€3), both light and flavorful, and the tender chicken tagine (€9) are unlikely to disappoint. I also enjoyed the basbousa (€3), which is a rich semolina cake with a tangy, creamy yogurt that's a perfect foil to the sweet dough. It's no coincidence that DOBRUMBA is so popular—the owners seem to understand that a homey ambiance, an Instagrammable interior, a kind service, and a deep drinks menu will satisfy a Millennial dining crowd despite the unremarkable dishes. Reservations are a must.
71 locals raden deze aan
Dobrumba
5 Dob u.
71 locals raden deze aan
With a chic crowd, effortlessly cool design, and a Middle Eastern menu, DOBRUMBA is one of the trendiest restaurants inside Budapest's buzzing Jewish Quarter. The place is especially enjoyable in the warmer months when the oversized windows swing open and the ear-catching electronic music wafts into the street. Unfortunately, the food can fall short. I've had several unremarkable meals here, but the labneh (€3) and the baba ganoush starters (€3), both light and flavorful, and the tender chicken tagine (€9) are unlikely to disappoint. I also enjoyed the basbousa (€3), which is a rich semolina cake with a tangy, creamy yogurt that's a perfect foil to the sweet dough. It's no coincidence that DOBRUMBA is so popular—the owners seem to understand that a homey ambiance, an Instagrammable interior, a kind service, and a deep drinks menu will satisfy a Millennial dining crowd despite the unremarkable dishes. Reservations are a must.
15 locals raden deze aan
Aszú Étterem
4 Sas u
15 locals raden deze aan
Although Frici Papa opened after the fall of the iron curtain, this eatery has rightfully become a darling for tourists who're looking to experience a piece of communist-era dining—prices are rock-bottom, cheap wood panelings decorate the walls, tablecloths are covered with sticky plastic, waiters are dressed as if parachuted here from the '80s. The extensive menu features traditional Hungarian staples like beef stew with egg dumplings (€5), chicken paprikás (€5), and layered potatoes (€3). The food is far from Michelin-star level, but that's not the point here. I enjoy most the túrós csusza (€2), a cottage cheese- and cracklings-topped noodle dish, the poppy-seeds-coated mákos guba dessert (€2), and the palacsinta (Hungarian crepes) smothered in vanilla sauce (€1). Cash-only!
143 locals raden deze aan
Frici Papa
55 Király u.
143 locals raden deze aan
Although Frici Papa opened after the fall of the iron curtain, this eatery has rightfully become a darling for tourists who're looking to experience a piece of communist-era dining—prices are rock-bottom, cheap wood panelings decorate the walls, tablecloths are covered with sticky plastic, waiters are dressed as if parachuted here from the '80s. The extensive menu features traditional Hungarian staples like beef stew with egg dumplings (€5), chicken paprikás (€5), and layered potatoes (€3). The food is far from Michelin-star level, but that's not the point here. I enjoy most the túrós csusza (€2), a cottage cheese- and cracklings-topped noodle dish, the poppy-seeds-coated mákos guba dessert (€2), and the palacsinta (Hungarian crepes) smothered in vanilla sauce (€1). Cash-only!
If you wonder what everyday dining was like during communist Hungary, Kádár Étkezde may be able to give you the answer. Or at least that used to be the case before tourists descended on the place in the last few years. Kádár, which opened in 1957, started out as a wallet-friendly neighborhood joint feeding the mainly Jewish local residents—it's inside Budapest's old Jewish Quarter—with unfussy traditional Hungarian foods like stuffed cabbage and beef stew (pörkölt), and also Jewish staples like matzo ball soup and cholent (note that Kádár isn't kosher). The dishes were passable, prices rock-bottom. Today, tourists clasping Lonely Planet guides can often be observed forming a line outside. Despite, or perhaps because of, the buzz, Kádár stuck to its blueprint. The servers still wear outfits that could rival the wardrobe collection of Soviet movies in the '50s. Sticky red-and-white checkered tablecloths still adorn all tables. The food is still mediocre at best. Graying regulars still show up at lunchtime, although their numbers are dwindling. Prices are beginning to reflect Kádár's new-found popularity, but with €7-9 main dishes, they're relatively low. Once you're finished with your lunch, follow the local protocol and tip your server, then walk up to the amiable gentleman at the entrance to pay for your meal (he's Sándor Orbán, the owner). Note that the Jewish-Hungarian foods are usually served on Saturdays. Kádár is closed on Sundays and Mondays. After your meal, it's worth popping in to the refurbished Klauzál Square market hall, built during the glory days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
69 locals raden deze aan
Kádár Étkezde
9 Klauzál tér
69 locals raden deze aan
If you wonder what everyday dining was like during communist Hungary, Kádár Étkezde may be able to give you the answer. Or at least that used to be the case before tourists descended on the place in the last few years. Kádár, which opened in 1957, started out as a wallet-friendly neighborhood joint feeding the mainly Jewish local residents—it's inside Budapest's old Jewish Quarter—with unfussy traditional Hungarian foods like stuffed cabbage and beef stew (pörkölt), and also Jewish staples like matzo ball soup and cholent (note that Kádár isn't kosher). The dishes were passable, prices rock-bottom. Today, tourists clasping Lonely Planet guides can often be observed forming a line outside. Despite, or perhaps because of, the buzz, Kádár stuck to its blueprint. The servers still wear outfits that could rival the wardrobe collection of Soviet movies in the '50s. Sticky red-and-white checkered tablecloths still adorn all tables. The food is still mediocre at best. Graying regulars still show up at lunchtime, although their numbers are dwindling. Prices are beginning to reflect Kádár's new-found popularity, but with €7-9 main dishes, they're relatively low. Once you're finished with your lunch, follow the local protocol and tip your server, then walk up to the amiable gentleman at the entrance to pay for your meal (he's Sándor Orbán, the owner). Note that the Jewish-Hungarian foods are usually served on Saturdays. Kádár is closed on Sundays and Mondays. After your meal, it's worth popping in to the refurbished Klauzál Square market hall, built during the glory days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
After all, most tourists are after local dishes before they hit the neighborhood bars. Gettó Gulyás's moniker makes its culinary priorities clear—the short menu features the heart of Magyar cuisine with staples like goulash (€4), chicken paprikash (€7), and beef stew (pörkölt). They update these Hungarian classics with small twists, for example, the veal paprikash (€11) comes with baked cottage cheese noodles that are rolled into strips of bacon. The interior, featuring corrugated roofing sheet panels and a wall of hay, reflects above-average creativity compared with the neighborhood’s ubiquitous ruin-pub decor. Service is friendly but not intrusive. Reservations are a must.
151 locals raden deze aan
Gettó Gulyás
18 Wesselényi u.
151 locals raden deze aan
After all, most tourists are after local dishes before they hit the neighborhood bars. Gettó Gulyás's moniker makes its culinary priorities clear—the short menu features the heart of Magyar cuisine with staples like goulash (€4), chicken paprikash (€7), and beef stew (pörkölt). They update these Hungarian classics with small twists, for example, the veal paprikash (€11) comes with baked cottage cheese noodles that are rolled into strips of bacon. The interior, featuring corrugated roofing sheet panels and a wall of hay, reflects above-average creativity compared with the neighborhood’s ubiquitous ruin-pub decor. Service is friendly but not intrusive. Reservations are a must.
M serves a mishmash of French, Italian, and Hungarian fare that includes foie gras pate (€5), duck breast (€13), and chicken paprikash (€11). They don't try to reinterpret these classics, instead sticking to decades-old recipes. The highlights are the soft and flavorful duck rose and the veal osso bucco paired with a creamy risotto (€14). I also enjoyed the light blue cheese salad drizzled with slices of pear. Although M Restaurant looks like a neighborhood joint—small, homey space with a kind waitstaff—most patrons are actually tourists. Note that the upstairs tables can get a little stuffy in the summer, so try to sit on the ground floor or the tiny outdoor terrace. Reservations are an absolute must. Cash only!
42 locals raden deze aan
M Restaurant
48 Kertész u.
42 locals raden deze aan
M serves a mishmash of French, Italian, and Hungarian fare that includes foie gras pate (€5), duck breast (€13), and chicken paprikash (€11). They don't try to reinterpret these classics, instead sticking to decades-old recipes. The highlights are the soft and flavorful duck rose and the veal osso bucco paired with a creamy risotto (€14). I also enjoyed the light blue cheese salad drizzled with slices of pear. Although M Restaurant looks like a neighborhood joint—small, homey space with a kind waitstaff—most patrons are actually tourists. Note that the upstairs tables can get a little stuffy in the summer, so try to sit on the ground floor or the tiny outdoor terrace. Reservations are an absolute must. Cash only!
Kőleves Kert, which isn’t to be mistaken with the popular Kőleves restaurant next door, is one of those summertime treasures in the form of a laid-back, all-welcoming outdoor bar. Order at the wooden shed, then trek through the ankle-deep gravel to find yourself an open seat by the colorful tables, canopied by overhanging trees. By day, many freelancers camp out here; come evening, groups of locals and tourists of all ages descend on Kőleves Kert, filling the atmospheric space to capacity. Although most people come here for beers and fröccs (wine spritzer), there's also some food, including "tócsni," a fried potato pancake similar to a latke, slathered with cream cheese and sweet chili.
50 locals raden deze aan
Kőleves kert
37-41 Kazinczy u.
50 locals raden deze aan
Kőleves Kert, which isn’t to be mistaken with the popular Kőleves restaurant next door, is one of those summertime treasures in the form of a laid-back, all-welcoming outdoor bar. Order at the wooden shed, then trek through the ankle-deep gravel to find yourself an open seat by the colorful tables, canopied by overhanging trees. By day, many freelancers camp out here; come evening, groups of locals and tourists of all ages descend on Kőleves Kert, filling the atmospheric space to capacity. Although most people come here for beers and fröccs (wine spritzer), there's also some food, including "tócsni," a fried potato pancake similar to a latke, slathered with cream cheese and sweet chili.
Located near the arched, red-bricked edifice signaling the entry of the old Jewish Quarter, Központ is a popular haunt of Budapest's thirtysomething liberal establishment. During the day, Központ functions as a specialty café, drawing hipster foreigners who linger with their MacBooks for hours on end. Come night-time, the crowd turns more local as journalists, musicians, and people from the fashion industry appear. Note that drinks are a bit more expensive here than at other places on this list. The best night is Friday—it's not unusual that the throng overflows to the sidewalks until the wee hours. Meaningful overlap exists between Központ and Telep, the bar across the street from Központ, with groups of people noticeably shuffling back and forth between the two. Although mainly a bar, on some nights Központ doubles as a dance floor with DJs spinning electronic music. Attention jazz fans: every Tuesday evening Balázs Pándi, a leading local jazz musician, plays from his wide-ranging collection of contemporary-jazz records.
38 locals raden deze aan
Központ
5 Madách Imre út
38 locals raden deze aan
Located near the arched, red-bricked edifice signaling the entry of the old Jewish Quarter, Központ is a popular haunt of Budapest's thirtysomething liberal establishment. During the day, Központ functions as a specialty café, drawing hipster foreigners who linger with their MacBooks for hours on end. Come night-time, the crowd turns more local as journalists, musicians, and people from the fashion industry appear. Note that drinks are a bit more expensive here than at other places on this list. The best night is Friday—it's not unusual that the throng overflows to the sidewalks until the wee hours. Meaningful overlap exists between Központ and Telep, the bar across the street from Központ, with groups of people noticeably shuffling back and forth between the two. Although mainly a bar, on some nights Központ doubles as a dance floor with DJs spinning electronic music. Attention jazz fans: every Tuesday evening Balázs Pándi, a leading local jazz musician, plays from his wide-ranging collection of contemporary-jazz records.
Telep is a hopping Budapest bar in the heart of it all in District 7, the city's main party area. Telep's crowd will satisfy any hipster cravings you may be harboring—beards, fixie bikes, tote bags, and plenty of good-looking people abound here. The interior features low-lying sofas, and a massive varnished table top that serves as the bar counter, and makes you feel like you're at the house party of your coolest friend. DJs are in charge of the tunes on Friday and Saturday nights. The upstairs section often exhibits works by local artists.
63 locals raden deze aan
Telep-Art Galéria
8 Madách Imre út
63 locals raden deze aan
Telep is a hopping Budapest bar in the heart of it all in District 7, the city's main party area. Telep's crowd will satisfy any hipster cravings you may be harboring—beards, fixie bikes, tote bags, and plenty of good-looking people abound here. The interior features low-lying sofas, and a massive varnished table top that serves as the bar counter, and makes you feel like you're at the house party of your coolest friend. DJs are in charge of the tunes on Friday and Saturday nights. The upstairs section often exhibits works by local artists.
Spíler, located inside the tourist-heavy Gozsdu Courtyard, is one of hottest restaurants in Budapest's buzzing Jewish Quarter. It's a massive space with three, highly-Instagrammable dining rooms that operate at capacity most evenings. The menu features popular international fare (nachos, wings, burgers) alongside Hungarian classics, of which the túróscsusza (€7)—baked noodles topped with cottage cheese, sour cream, and specks of fried pork fat—is the one to go for. Hungarian wines, and almost 30 types of local bottled craft beers are available for pairing. With most dishes below €10, prices are reasonable for the prime location. Tangentially related to Spíler is that its owner, a successful Budapest restaurateur, has been publicly accused of gaining unfair advantage as some of his restaurants benefit from significantly below-market rents. This of course doesn’t detract from Spíler’s worth as a restaurant, but something to keep in mind as you decide where to spend your money.
113 locals raden deze aan
Spíler Original és Shanghai
13 Király u.
113 locals raden deze aan
Spíler, located inside the tourist-heavy Gozsdu Courtyard, is one of hottest restaurants in Budapest's buzzing Jewish Quarter. It's a massive space with three, highly-Instagrammable dining rooms that operate at capacity most evenings. The menu features popular international fare (nachos, wings, burgers) alongside Hungarian classics, of which the túróscsusza (€7)—baked noodles topped with cottage cheese, sour cream, and specks of fried pork fat—is the one to go for. Hungarian wines, and almost 30 types of local bottled craft beers are available for pairing. With most dishes below €10, prices are reasonable for the prime location. Tangentially related to Spíler is that its owner, a successful Budapest restaurateur, has been publicly accused of gaining unfair advantage as some of his restaurants benefit from significantly below-market rents. This of course doesn’t detract from Spíler’s worth as a restaurant, but something to keep in mind as you decide where to spend your money.
Bring with you a healthy dose of skepticism when you enter Gozsdu Udvar, a tourist-heavy passage lined with endless restaurants and bars inside Budapest's old Jewish Quarter. Most places here aren't known for their delicate dishes or wallet-friendly prices, but Vicky Barcelona, a lively, atmospheric tapas bar, can be worth a visit. This dinner-only restaurant occupies a dimly-lit, elongated space flanked by small tables and red velvet drapes on one side, and a mosaic-patterned bar counter on the other. The tapas aren't earth-shattering, but I enjoyed the croquetas de jamon (€5), the revuelto (scrambled eggs with sausage, goat cheese, and apple; €6), and the carrilleras de cerdo Ibérico (Iberian pork cheek; €7). Service is normally quick and professional, although, annoyingly, they can rush patrons through their meal. Pricey cocktails (€8) and Spanish wines are available to help lift the mood. In classic Spanish style, it's at night-time when Vicky Barcelona springs to life: there's Spanish live music on weekdays from 8 p.m., and on weekend nights the space transforms into a club with a DJ spinning dance music until the wee hours. Reservations are a must.
62 locals raden deze aan
Vicky Barcelona
16 Dob u.
62 locals raden deze aan
Bring with you a healthy dose of skepticism when you enter Gozsdu Udvar, a tourist-heavy passage lined with endless restaurants and bars inside Budapest's old Jewish Quarter. Most places here aren't known for their delicate dishes or wallet-friendly prices, but Vicky Barcelona, a lively, atmospheric tapas bar, can be worth a visit. This dinner-only restaurant occupies a dimly-lit, elongated space flanked by small tables and red velvet drapes on one side, and a mosaic-patterned bar counter on the other. The tapas aren't earth-shattering, but I enjoyed the croquetas de jamon (€5), the revuelto (scrambled eggs with sausage, goat cheese, and apple; €6), and the carrilleras de cerdo Ibérico (Iberian pork cheek; €7). Service is normally quick and professional, although, annoyingly, they can rush patrons through their meal. Pricey cocktails (€8) and Spanish wines are available to help lift the mood. In classic Spanish style, it's at night-time when Vicky Barcelona springs to life: there's Spanish live music on weekdays from 8 p.m., and on weekend nights the space transforms into a club with a DJ spinning dance music until the wee hours. Reservations are a must.
Epic Brunch & Chunky Cookies made with a twist in Budapest. #webelieveinhandmade We love Brunch with a twist, an unusual combination of favorite flavors. We are committed to working with local suppliers, supporting local business while promoting Brunch culture in Budapest with the objective to convert it into the top Brunch destination of the world. We cook all our dishes from scratch in the most sustainable fashion. We bake our Chunky Cookies daily for you to have the most delicious treat. Our specialty coffee is light roasted in Barcelona. We are constantly testing recipes to serve the best experience.
Cookie Beacon Brunch
Epic Brunch & Chunky Cookies made with a twist in Budapest. #webelieveinhandmade We love Brunch with a twist, an unusual combination of favorite flavors. We are committed to working with local suppliers, supporting local business while promoting Brunch culture in Budapest with the objective to convert it into the top Brunch destination of the world. We cook all our dishes from scratch in the most sustainable fashion. We bake our Chunky Cookies daily for you to have the most delicious treat. Our specialty coffee is light roasted in Barcelona. We are constantly testing recipes to serve the best experience.
Work hard, brunch harder! That’s what we do best. We’re your favorite neighborhood spot serving brunch all day long. Our mission is simple – make people feel at home in Budapest! All while serving them quality and great tasting food, and providing great, friendly service. We love food. We care about the way it looks and how it tastes. The Cirkusz is a family. We work together as family, allowing our customers to feel right at home and enjoy that comfort food when brunching. We strive to give one of the best brunch experiences. We’re travelers ourselves always on a hunt for new experiences, but yet we crave that sense of familiarity found in a brunch – and we want to share that with you. We are passionate about taking great care of our employees, our guests, and our community. We love our city, and we want you to love it too! We are obsessed with building a positive, empowering, and supportive culture. We care about every meal and every moment. Walk in the door and you’re in for a great time at the Cirkusz. Whether you just arrived to Budapest for the first time or your hundredth time, come as you are, we’ve got you covered.
51 locals raden deze aan
Cirkusz Café
25 Dob u.
51 locals raden deze aan
Work hard, brunch harder! That’s what we do best. We’re your favorite neighborhood spot serving brunch all day long. Our mission is simple – make people feel at home in Budapest! All while serving them quality and great tasting food, and providing great, friendly service. We love food. We care about the way it looks and how it tastes. The Cirkusz is a family. We work together as family, allowing our customers to feel right at home and enjoy that comfort food when brunching. We strive to give one of the best brunch experiences. We’re travelers ourselves always on a hunt for new experiences, but yet we crave that sense of familiarity found in a brunch – and we want to share that with you. We are passionate about taking great care of our employees, our guests, and our community. We love our city, and we want you to love it too! We are obsessed with building a positive, empowering, and supportive culture. We care about every meal and every moment. Walk in the door and you’re in for a great time at the Cirkusz. Whether you just arrived to Budapest for the first time or your hundredth time, come as you are, we’ve got you covered.
The time for lonely baking and secret experimentation has come to an end; it has found a wonderful home. This is a natural progression because, according to Franziska, there is something truly magical in hospitality: the meticulous selection of ingredients, the transfer of atmosphere into space, the creation of a lasting flavor, the inspiration drawn from old books, and, of course, the creation of a community. Because we want you to start your morning with a steaming specialty coffee or a fresh vitality smoothie, take a bite of a warm, crispy sandwich, or finally enjoy a leisurely breakfast, savoring every minute of the most wonderful meal... Of course, everything is accompanied by the familiar Franziska desserts, forever captivated by the complex nuances of coconut, date, almond, or pistachio flavors. Come and be our guests, we warmly welcome you!
Franziska - Pest
The time for lonely baking and secret experimentation has come to an end; it has found a wonderful home. This is a natural progression because, according to Franziska, there is something truly magical in hospitality: the meticulous selection of ingredients, the transfer of atmosphere into space, the creation of a lasting flavor, the inspiration drawn from old books, and, of course, the creation of a community. Because we want you to start your morning with a steaming specialty coffee or a fresh vitality smoothie, take a bite of a warm, crispy sandwich, or finally enjoy a leisurely breakfast, savoring every minute of the most wonderful meal... Of course, everything is accompanied by the familiar Franziska desserts, forever captivated by the complex nuances of coconut, date, almond, or pistachio flavors. Come and be our guests, we warmly welcome you!

Dance, music

Despite the crowded bar scene, the Jewish Quarter offers few options for feeling the beat. The most reliable electronic dance venue is Lärm, inside the enormous Fogasház ruin bar, where international DJs spin ear-splitting music inside a pitch-black dance hall. 4BRO Downtown/Aether is a posher space in Gozsdu; on the lower level they blast electronic music until the wee hours. A local alternative crowd hangs out at Beat On The Brat, which occasionally hosts good parties with pop and indie tunes.
Unabashed electronic music fans start lining up outside Lärm as the clock hits midnight. This is the place to go when you’ve reached the point of the night that all you need is a pitch-black dance hall with ear-splitting electronic music. A venerable group of mostly international DJs rotate each night behind the DJ booth. Located just upstairs from Fogasház, you can buckle down and let loose on the dance floor until sunrise. Beware, party doesn't usually start in earnest before 2AM and you'll likely have to wait in line before gaining entry. Note that they shut down for the summer months.
744 locals raden deze aan
Instant Club
51 Akácfa u.
744 locals raden deze aan
Unabashed electronic music fans start lining up outside Lärm as the clock hits midnight. This is the place to go when you’ve reached the point of the night that all you need is a pitch-black dance hall with ear-splitting electronic music. A venerable group of mostly international DJs rotate each night behind the DJ booth. Located just upstairs from Fogasház, you can buckle down and let loose on the dance floor until sunrise. Beware, party doesn't usually start in earnest before 2AM and you'll likely have to wait in line before gaining entry. Note that they shut down for the summer months.
256 locals raden deze aan
Morison 2
11 Szent István krt.
256 locals raden deze aan
Wait in line to get into one of the hottest clubs/bars in the city. The location at the crossroads of the bustling Király Street and Gozsdu Udvar couldn't be more central than this. The inside is a chic industrial space with loud music, a spacious cocktail bar, and a sit-down area on the ground floor. For those who find the tunes here too mellow should make their way to the club downstairs where ear-splitting electronic music is the dominant genre. The vibe at 4BRO is similar to Ötkert, but this one is a smaller venue and has an older (25+) and a bit more local crowd.
60 locals raden deze aan
4BRO Downtown
13 Király u.
60 locals raden deze aan
Wait in line to get into one of the hottest clubs/bars in the city. The location at the crossroads of the bustling Király Street and Gozsdu Udvar couldn't be more central than this. The inside is a chic industrial space with loud music, a spacious cocktail bar, and a sit-down area on the ground floor. For those who find the tunes here too mellow should make their way to the club downstairs where ear-splitting electronic music is the dominant genre. The vibe at 4BRO is similar to Ötkert, but this one is a smaller venue and has an older (25+) and a bit more local crowd.
20 locals raden deze aan
Rumpus TiKi Bár
19 Király utca
20 locals raden deze aan
Today, Budapest has myriad ruin bars, but Szimpla Kert, which pioneered the genre, is by far the best known internationally. Although Szimpla is no longer the offbeat bar it once was when it opened in 2004, it's still worth visiting for the experience, even if you have to navigate through camera-wielding tourists to approach the bar. A glass of beer runs €2.5, meaning that prices have remained reasonable.
1582 locals raden deze aan
Szimpla Kert
14 Kazinczy u.
1582 locals raden deze aan
Today, Budapest has myriad ruin bars, but Szimpla Kert, which pioneered the genre, is by far the best known internationally. Although Szimpla is no longer the offbeat bar it once was when it opened in 2004, it's still worth visiting for the experience, even if you have to navigate through camera-wielding tourists to approach the bar. A glass of beer runs €2.5, meaning that prices have remained reasonable.

Városnézés

Roam the streets of the Castle Hill: Budapest’s charming medieval Old Town is usually swarming with tourists, but if you go up here a little before sunset, after visitors have returned to the Pest side, you should have the Buda Castle, the Matthias Church, the Fisherman's Bastion, and the winding historic streets mostly to yourself. Read this step-by-step guide to get the most out of the Castle Hill.
493 locals raden deze aan
Castle Hill
493 locals raden deze aan
Roam the streets of the Castle Hill: Budapest’s charming medieval Old Town is usually swarming with tourists, but if you go up here a little before sunset, after visitors have returned to the Pest side, you should have the Buda Castle, the Matthias Church, the Fisherman's Bastion, and the winding historic streets mostly to yourself. Read this step-by-step guide to get the most out of the Castle Hill.
Visit the Parliament: Built during Budapest’s golden era when the city was a capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, this monumental Gothic Revival building dominates its Danube bank. The 45-minute guided tour is just the right amount of time to appreciate its lavish interior without getting tired and lost in one of its 691 rooms. After the tour, stop by Liberty Square for more dramatic buildings from this period.
1906 locals raden deze aan
Hungaars Parlementsgebouw
1-3 Kossuth Lajos tér
1906 locals raden deze aan
Visit the Parliament: Built during Budapest’s golden era when the city was a capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, this monumental Gothic Revival building dominates its Danube bank. The 45-minute guided tour is just the right amount of time to appreciate its lavish interior without getting tired and lost in one of its 691 rooms. After the tour, stop by Liberty Square for more dramatic buildings from this period.
Stroll down Andrássy Avenue: Budapest’s version of the Champs-Élysées, this 2.3 km (1.4 mile) grand boulevard connects the city center with Heroes' Square and the City Park. Starting in downtown, you will pass fancy retail stores, then end up amongst handsome villas, many of them embassies now, taking in the heart of the city along your way. Be sure to pause at the Opera House and the House of Terror. If you have extra energy, visit some of the treasures hidden in the side streets.
830 locals raden deze aan
Andrássy út
Andrássy út
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Stroll down Andrássy Avenue: Budapest’s version of the Champs-Élysées, this 2.3 km (1.4 mile) grand boulevard connects the city center with Heroes' Square and the City Park. Starting in downtown, you will pass fancy retail stores, then end up amongst handsome villas, many of them embassies now, taking in the heart of the city along your way. Be sure to pause at the Opera House and the House of Terror. If you have extra energy, visit some of the treasures hidden in the side streets.
Take a river cruise on the Danube: It's one of the best ways to appreciate Budapest's beauty in the fullest. As part of a cruise ride, which takes about an hour, the Chain Bridge, the Buda Castle, the Parliament building, and Margaret Island all appear within arm's reach. There are many cruise operators to choose from; my experience is that Legenda offers a consistently comfortable experience (and audio guides in 30 languages).
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Danube River
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Take a river cruise on the Danube: It's one of the best ways to appreciate Budapest's beauty in the fullest. As part of a cruise ride, which takes about an hour, the Chain Bridge, the Buda Castle, the Parliament building, and Margaret Island all appear within arm's reach. There are many cruise operators to choose from; my experience is that Legenda offers a consistently comfortable experience (and audio guides in 30 languages).
Go to a thermal bath: The city's bathing culture dates back to the Romans, who first enjoyed soaking in mineral-rich hot water. Today, you can visit medieval hammams built by a Turkish pasha—these are some of the last traces of the Ottoman century-and-a-half occupation of Budapest—or stunningly ornate baths dating back to Austria-Hungary. Read this thermal bath guide to find the one that suits you best.
1248 locals raden deze aan
Széchenyibad
9-11 Állatkerti krt.
1248 locals raden deze aan
Go to a thermal bath: The city's bathing culture dates back to the Romans, who first enjoyed soaking in mineral-rich hot water. Today, you can visit medieval hammams built by a Turkish pasha—these are some of the last traces of the Ottoman century-and-a-half occupation of Budapest—or stunningly ornate baths dating back to Austria-Hungary. Read this thermal bath guide to find the one that suits you best.
Walk the “synagogue triangle” in the old Jewish Quarter: Before Hungary’s alliance with Nazi Germany and participation in the Holocaust, Budapest was home to a thriving community of more than 200,000 Jewish people. Jews had been integral to Budapest's commerce, arts, and sciences. Inside the old Jewish Quarter, you can still visit three dazzling synagogues near one another, including Europe’s largest in Dohány Street.
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Dohánystraat Synagoge
2 Dohány u.
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Walk the “synagogue triangle” in the old Jewish Quarter: Before Hungary’s alliance with Nazi Germany and participation in the Holocaust, Budapest was home to a thriving community of more than 200,000 Jewish people. Jews had been integral to Budapest's commerce, arts, and sciences. Inside the old Jewish Quarter, you can still visit three dazzling synagogues near one another, including Europe’s largest in Dohány Street.
Explore the Great Market Hall: Opened in 1897, this enormous brick-and-steel indoor market is usually teeming with tourists, but plenty of locals, too, come here to pick up fruits, vegetables, and charcuterie. Upstairs, amid vendors of knick-knacks and tchotchkes, you will find food stalls that serve lángos, Hungary's iconic flatbread topped with sour cream and cheese.
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Central Market Hall
1-3 Vámház krt.
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Explore the Great Market Hall: Opened in 1897, this enormous brick-and-steel indoor market is usually teeming with tourists, but plenty of locals, too, come here to pick up fruits, vegetables, and charcuterie. Upstairs, amid vendors of knick-knacks and tchotchkes, you will find food stalls that serve lángos, Hungary's iconic flatbread topped with sour cream and cheese.
Climb up to the Liberty Statue: In exchange for the half-hour cardio exercise that's required to mount the verdant Gellért Hill, your reward will be sweeping 360-degree views of Budapest. For the best experience, take the path that's to the south of the hill, setting off opposite Gellért Bath.
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Vrijheidsbeeld
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Climb up to the Liberty Statue: In exchange for the half-hour cardio exercise that's required to mount the verdant Gellért Hill, your reward will be sweeping 360-degree views of Budapest. For the best experience, take the path that's to the south of the hill, setting off opposite Gellért Bath.
Walk or bike around Budapest’s Central Park: Margaret Island is a quaint, leafy area perched in the middle of the Danube River—no wonder that the royal family kept it close to its chest before finally selling it to the city in 1908. Bike around the island's manicured lawns or join packs of locals on the running track stretching around the island.
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Mini Zoo van het Margaretha-eiland
Margitsziget
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Walk or bike around Budapest’s Central Park: Margaret Island is a quaint, leafy area perched in the middle of the Danube River—no wonder that the royal family kept it close to its chest before finally selling it to the city in 1908. Bike around the island's manicured lawns or join packs of locals on the running track stretching around the island.
Towering over Budapest, the St. Stephen's Basilica is another statement-building conveying the city's imperial ambitions. Its construction took more than half a century, outlasting two of the building's chief architects. Behind the calm limestone exterior hides a dimly lit central space, and the mummified right hand of St. Stephen, Hungary's first king. Note that the church's dome offers sweeping views of Budapest and is open to visitors.
1262 locals raden deze aan
Sint-Stefanusbasiliek
1 Szent István tér
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Towering over Budapest, the St. Stephen's Basilica is another statement-building conveying the city's imperial ambitions. Its construction took more than half a century, outlasting two of the building's chief architects. Behind the calm limestone exterior hides a dimly lit central space, and the mummified right hand of St. Stephen, Hungary's first king. Note that the church's dome offers sweeping views of Budapest and is open to visitors.
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Citadella Folklór Étterem
1 Citadella stny.
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Overlooking the Danube, on the spot where the city's fishermen's guild built their defence walls in the Middle Ages, stands the impressive Fisherman's Bastion (Halászbástya). This exquisite collection of Neo-Romanesque towers, courtyards, colonnades, and walls was built between 1895 and 1902, and is one of the most popular points in the city for tourists, largely for its spectacular views over the city and the Danube. While here, be sure to look for the bronze equestrian statue of St. Stephen, the first King of Hungary, in the south courtyard. The reliefs on the sides of the base depict scenes from Stephen's life, and make for an incredible selfie backdrop. A variety of English language tour options are available. Address: Szentháromság tér 5, Budapest Official site: www.fishermansbastion.com
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Vissersbastion
Szentháromság tér
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Overlooking the Danube, on the spot where the city's fishermen's guild built their defence walls in the Middle Ages, stands the impressive Fisherman's Bastion (Halászbástya). This exquisite collection of Neo-Romanesque towers, courtyards, colonnades, and walls was built between 1895 and 1902, and is one of the most popular points in the city for tourists, largely for its spectacular views over the city and the Danube. While here, be sure to look for the bronze equestrian statue of St. Stephen, the first King of Hungary, in the south courtyard. The reliefs on the sides of the base depict scenes from Stephen's life, and make for an incredible selfie backdrop. A variety of English language tour options are available. Address: Szentháromság tér 5, Budapest Official site: www.fishermansbastion.com
Said to be one of the world's oldest still-operating zoos, Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden (Fovárosi Állat- és Növénykert) is one of the top things for families to do when visiting the city. Established over 150 years ago, the park is home to over 1,070 different species of animals, and has the rare distinction of being located in the heart of its host city. In addition to its well-preserved Art Nouveau animal homes, this top-notch zoo park features a nature reserve, themed animal enclosures, and a variety of kid-friendly programming including feeding opportunities. If you're not in a big hurry to leave, hang around for one of the regular evening concerts. Address: Budapest, Állatkerti krt. 6-12, 1146 Official site: https://zoobudapest.com/en
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Dierentuin van Boedapest
6-12 Állatkerti krt.
679 locals raden deze aan
Said to be one of the world's oldest still-operating zoos, Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden (Fovárosi Állat- és Növénykert) is one of the top things for families to do when visiting the city. Established over 150 years ago, the park is home to over 1,070 different species of animals, and has the rare distinction of being located in the heart of its host city. In addition to its well-preserved Art Nouveau animal homes, this top-notch zoo park features a nature reserve, themed animal enclosures, and a variety of kid-friendly programming including feeding opportunities. If you're not in a big hurry to leave, hang around for one of the regular evening concerts. Address: Budapest, Állatkerti krt. 6-12, 1146 Official site: https://zoobudapest.com/en

Culture

Hungary's turbulent history offers a wealth of museum-worthy materials—just consider the country's recent past, which included two lost world wars, the Holocaust, and over four decades of communism. For visual arts, the National Gallery is home to the finest Hungarian paintings, while both the Museum of Fine Arts and the Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art own collections that could be the envy of most cities around the world. For the best temporary exhibits, refer to our weekly event guide. There are also smaller, thematic museums that portray the lives of famous Hungarians like Ferenc Liszt and Béla Bartók, or tell the story of Unicum, Hungary's signature liqueur that first caught the attention of the Habsburg Emperor and is still widely popular. All of Budapest's public museums are open Tuesdays through Sundays, normally from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and closed on Mondays. Unless noted differently below, wall texts appear in both Hungarian and English. English audio guides are available at the House of Parliament, the House of Terror, the Hungarian National Gallery, and the Liszt Memorial Museum. Admission fees range from the equivalent of a few euros to up to €15 (the House of Parliament is the priciest—€22 for non-EU citizens—but it's worth it).
Learn about communism in Hungary at the House of Terror: Democracy may indeed be the way forward, but Hungary is still suffering the legacy of the four-decades-long communist regime that reigned until 1989. This museum, inside the building that once headquartered the Communist Secret Police, is a must-see for anyone interested in exploring Hungary’s past and understanding its present. (Here’s our list of Budapest’s best museums.)
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Terror Háza Múzeum
60 Andrássy út
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Learn about communism in Hungary at the House of Terror: Democracy may indeed be the way forward, but Hungary is still suffering the legacy of the four-decades-long communist regime that reigned until 1989. This museum, inside the building that once headquartered the Communist Secret Police, is a must-see for anyone interested in exploring Hungary’s past and understanding its present. (Here’s our list of Budapest’s best museums.)
This enormous cultural building along the Danube's bank is the most important work of architecture in Budapest so far in the 21st century. The warm limestone exterior encloses oversized window panes that permit plenty of light. Inside, note the gracious transition of materials: from wood to metal and glass and stone. The building is home to the Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art, and also the National Concert Hall, known for its high-quality acoustics.
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Müpa Budapest
1 Komor Marcell u.
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This enormous cultural building along the Danube's bank is the most important work of architecture in Budapest so far in the 21st century. The warm limestone exterior encloses oversized window panes that permit plenty of light. Inside, note the gracious transition of materials: from wood to metal and glass and stone. The building is home to the Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art, and also the National Concert Hall, known for its high-quality acoustics.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Monday; HUF 2,200 admission): Central Europe's most important museum for international, mainly European art. The Italian Renaissance collection, much of which was purchased from the royal Esterhazy family in 1871, is considered among the finest in Europe, featuring works by Raphael and Titian. Don’t miss the exquisite Romanesque Hall, which regained its former glory after decades of neglect. Note that parts of the building are closed for renovation until the fall of 2019.
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Museum of Fine Arts
41 Dózsa György út
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10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Monday; HUF 2,200 admission): Central Europe's most important museum for international, mainly European art. The Italian Renaissance collection, much of which was purchased from the royal Esterhazy family in 1871, is considered among the finest in Europe, featuring works by Raphael and Titian. Don’t miss the exquisite Romanesque Hall, which regained its former glory after decades of neglect. Note that parts of the building are closed for renovation until the fall of 2019.
Underneath Castle Hill, the rock is a maze of caves and passageways that have been used for various purposes since prehistoric times. In World War II, some were fortified as an air raid shelter and emergency hospital. Now known as the Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum (SziklakórházAtombunker Múzeum), this site was, at the time of the Cold War, further secured against nuclear contamination. This former hospital and bunker is well worth exploring and features a variety of exhibitions on the kind of lifesaving efforts seen here during the Siege of Budapest in World War II. Another exhibit explores the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons. Admission is via guided tours only (English language tours available). Address: Lovas 4/c, Budapest Official site: www.sziklakorhaz.eu/en
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Sziklakórház Atombunker Múzeum
4/c Lovas út
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Underneath Castle Hill, the rock is a maze of caves and passageways that have been used for various purposes since prehistoric times. In World War II, some were fortified as an air raid shelter and emergency hospital. Now known as the Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum (SziklakórházAtombunker Múzeum), this site was, at the time of the Cold War, further secured against nuclear contamination. This former hospital and bunker is well worth exploring and features a variety of exhibitions on the kind of lifesaving efforts seen here during the Siege of Budapest in World War II. Another exhibit explores the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons. Admission is via guided tours only (English language tours available). Address: Lovas 4/c, Budapest Official site: www.sziklakorhaz.eu/en