Budapest has a great food scene, from traditional fare like stuffed cabbage and chimney cakes to Michelin-starred restaurants. Here’s how to check it out.
(Photo: getyourguide.com)
Budapest is fast becoming famous for its foodie scene, mixing up traditional hearty comfort food with cutting edge cuisine to satisfy all taste buds. Whether it is goulash and cabbage stuffed with pork, beef and rice, or one of seven Michelin-awarded restaurants, the Hungarian capital has something for everyone. It’s not just warm, salty snacks either, there is a whole host of sweet treats to try too, including chimney cakes and Gyümölcsleves, a cold fruit soup made from sour cream and cherries. Famously separated into two side, the hilly Buda and the flatter Pest, with shabby lanes full of bars and little eateries, the city can take a while to get your head round. That’s why a food tour is highly recommended – here are five of the best Budapest food tours.
Hungarian Grandma’s Tour – Food tour in Budapest
As the name suggests, this is not about seeking out the latest hipster joint in the city, this tour is designed to give a taste of what grandma would serve up on Sundays. The guide is an expert in local fare, taking you off the beaten track in search of real Hungarian cuisine – we’re talking sausages, goulash, langos and a glass of pálinka, a traditional fruit spirit. Lunch is at an authentic local restaurant and then it’s on to a wine bar to sample two of the most famous Hungarian wines. It’s a great introduction into the world of Hungarian food and drink. From €103.39.
Book at Getyourguide.com
Jewish Cuisine and Culture Walk
(Photo: getyourguide.com)
Jewish food is a key part of Budapest cuisine. The Jewish Quarter, the city’s seventh district and one-time ghetto, has changed a lot over the years, now being a hip hangout full of quirky bars, trendy cafes, secret art galleries and design shops. This tour aims to navigate through the modern facade, visiting the Dohány Street Synagogue and taking in the diverse traditional Hungarian-Jewish culinary offerings in Budapest, including sausages, matzo ball soup, gefilte fish, Jewish eggs, cholent, roasted goose, and flódni. You’ll leave the tour with a great understanding of Hungary’s Jewish history, culture, and cuisine – and a full belly. From €102.11.
Book at Getyourguide.com
Budapest Food Tour
This 3.5-hour tour is about getting to know both Budapest and its food, traveling through various neighborhoods tasting regional foods and learning about the city in a fun, informative way as you explore. The food and drink is tasty, traditional – there’s nothing too out of the box here – and starts with a visit a local café house to taste a delicious homemade Hungarian strudel and an espresso. Then there is a stop at a street food stand for Hungarian langos, goulash soup at a classic restaurant, and tastings of Hungarian sausages, pickled vegetables, and local cheese. All washed down by some organic Hungarian wine. From €87.92.
Book at Getyourguide.com
Food and Wine Tastings Tour
(Photo: getyourguide.com)
This is another tour that focuses on local food, heading to a number of different venues in Budapest, including a spice shop, kosher bakery, coffee house, candy producer or artisan chocolate shop, depending on the day of the week. There is also a visit to the Central Market Hall to learn about how locals use ingredients such as pork fat, paprika and goose liver. Finally, during the four-hour tour, sample typical dishes at a butcher’s shop and go to a traditional patisserie to taste the elegant cakes. End with a tasting of three wines from the different wine regions of Hungary. From €106.76.
Book at Getyourguide.com
Vegan Hungarian Food Tour / Local delights
Hungarian food is not exactly famous for its vegan food – meat does feature a lot – but times are changing. This vegan tour is proof of a new taste for meat-free options in Budapest. The group visits four vegan food establishments, trying meatless and dairy-free versions of goulash, paprikash, and chimney cake in a bakery, bistro, and two restaurants. The guide is a licensed vegan chef and the group is kept small. It’s a wonderful alternative view of Budapest’s food scene – and recommended even for non-vegans. From €52.00.
Book at Viator.com