Consumption at the Sziget Festival is certainly dominated by drinking, but Budapest’s biggest party is also fueled by plenty of places offering fair food from around the world. Along with booths from many downtown restaurants operating all around the Sziget grounds, there are also some traveling vendors offering unique bites from far-flung locales – we share some favorite picks of this year, all providing tasteful ways to dissolve any drunken delirium.
1/5
Russian, German favorites
There were times when we went to Sziget practically just to eat more refined Indian or Mexican dishes, because exotic cuisine was so rare in Hungary’s capital. Nowadays this situation is different, but it is still true that all nations are represented at the festival when it comes to food. So far, Russian cuisine was left out, but now Babuska brought some pirogi to the weeklong event. The pork-sauerkraut version is not only a good hangover cure, but also a nice warm-up snack. It costs 1,390 forints, and if you want a sweet variation, try the jam-filled pirogi for 990 forints each. Look for the coupon cards offering every 7th Russian “sandwich” for free.
In Berlin, everyone eats currywurst, but we do not know about many places in Budapest that sells it. However, Wurst Factory offers sausages with spicy sauce, along with bakery products or French fries in a classic American Airstream trailer. It is perfect for eating on-the-go and filling at the same time, not to mention how well it goes with cold beer. This delicacy of Berlin costs 1,390 forints.
2/5
Pasta and pizza from Italy
There is more to Italian food at Sziget than sausage-covered greasy pizza – in Puglia Village, next to the World Music Stage. Ristorante Mambo works with Italian ingredients and Italian chefs, delighting not only the nearby campsite residents but also those who appreciate the high-quality flavors or amore. They are not cheap – one slice of pizza costs 700 forints, while the pasta is 1,600 forints, but the food is delicious, and you will surely eat even the last little morsel.
3/5
Lardy plank
Ladies and gentlemen, we present the most simple and best solution for hunger at Sziget, absorbing alcohol, morning cravings, and for enticing (or scaring) Dutch festivalgoers: the lardy plank, which is no more than it sounds – bread with lard spread on it. Two slices of the plain lardy plank costs 890 forints, four slices are 1,490 forints, and the chicken-liver version costs 990/1690 forints, while the more “elegant” foie gras version costs 1090/1890 forints.
4/5
Corn on the cob
Many have grown fond of it at Balaton Sound, and now the grilled and smoked corn on the cob arrived at Sziget, as well – these are a big step up from the soggy boiled corn of festivals past. A plain cob costs 690 forints, while wasabi, butter, and lime can be added for an extra 100 forints. It is a pleasant spot of culinary color, but obviously not a filling meal.
5/5
Everything from the city
We can also find Budapest classics in the midst of the festival, including Zing Burger, Casa Piadina, Guru to Go, Duncan sandwiches, Montenegrói Gurman, Nemo, and Kolbice. In addition, the charity buffet of Csillagom-ház is also present this year. What we undoubtedly have to avoid, however, is the cantaloupe for 1,600 forints, which is incredibly expensive, even if it really is a simple, cold, and healthy snack.
The weather is very hot, and will continue to be scorching, so do not forget about proper hydration or eating – even if liquid bread always seems to be a more favorable option...
