Devouring tapas is an important part of Spanish culture, and this custom is truly easy to get used to. Who wouldn’t mind getting some extra olives, chips with succulent dips, or tortilla slices with their beer – just to mention a few of the most basic treats? Well, we sure don’t, so we had a good look around town to see what the options are to devour delicious tapas in Budapest. We recommend six places perfect for sharing an evening with friends enhanced with some sangria, cerveza, croquettes, tomato toast, or chips with aioli sauce.
For Spanish people, devouring tapas is like chicken soup on Sundays for Hungarians: it is an important part of the culture and lifestyle. It doesn’t matter whether we are in Granada or on the other side of the country in Gijón, we never have to look too hard for tapas places on the Iberian Peninsula. These tiny bites often come for free with our drinks – especially in the south – while if we order some more of them they even make up a delicious dinner. If you would like to try a tapas place, we definitely recommend ordering patatas bravas and alioli (chips with paprika-tomato sauce or garlic sauce), tortilla espanola (potato omelet), and croquetas (ham croquette with Béchamel sauce). However, these are only the basics, as we can also devour cheeses, shrimp roasted on the grill, octopus, and other extra dishes.
1/6
Bontxo – the Basque
Bontxo is a tiny tapas bar on Falk Miksa Street, close to Jászai Mari Square. Stepping inside, we find a dark wooden counter on the right side, and the tables to the left. However, we can take a seat on the gallery, as well as on the terrace in the summer. The name might not sound familiar even to those who studied Spanish in school, as it is Basque.
However, not only the name, but the meals and the mindset were also inspired by Basque Country, which means that here we can find a wide selection of sandwiches, aka pintxos, topped with creams or all kinds of seafood. These are best washed down with Estrella beer, but if we prefer wine, it is worthwhile to try a Basque white wine, txakoli.
Must have:
- any kinds of pintxo
- Atlantic cod specialties
- txakoli
2/6
La Nube – the bohemian café
If you would like to hang out at a homey, colorful, and friendly place, head to La Nube. There are no pictures of toreadors or sculptures of bulls here (only one of a unicorn), as it is not the decoration that proves that this place is Spanish to the bone. Ivan from León works hard in the kitchen, while his partner Timi serves guests. We can find all kinds of cold Spanish bites here, from tomato toast through Spanish tortilla and saucy salads to hams and cheese plates.
We highly recommend the grilled Spanish goat cheese that comes served with homemade jam and delicious bread. The San Miguel beer or some fruity sangria can be perfectly paired with anything. Furthermore, a new tapas counter is offering various kinds of seasonal treats, including endless versions of Basque mini sandwiches. Furthermore, La Nube is also a great place to start the day, as they serve tasty breakfasts and coffee.
Must have:
- grilled goat cheese / queso de cabra (990 HUF)
- salmorejo / tomato soup (790 HUF)
- red wine sausage / chorizo al vino (890 HUF)
3/6
Padron – the hidden and homey
Padron is a small but truly lovable tapas bar in a slightly secluded part of Budapest’s District VIII. Guests always find a family member behind the colorful tiles of the counter; “Madre”, “Padre”, or the kids always have something tasty to recommend. It is worthwhile to ask them for suggestions, as beyond the 20 courses of the summer and winter menu, they also have weekly offers that are sometimes as special as olives from an Andalusian producer called yeye, or sweetbread.
The bites are traditionally served in brown clay bowls, and can be perfectly paired with various types of Spanish wines. The homemade sangria is a true favorite here, but it is recommended to try their cider, which is a slightly more sour version than what we get at the store, and is reminiscent of Basque flavors. A dinner here, which will most certainly make you want to come back, is best ended with some Catalan cream.
Must have:
- lamb balls in tomato sauce / albóndigas en salsa roja
- cuttlefish rings in beer with remoulade / calamares rebozados
- weekly specials
4/6
Pata Negra – the authentic
Pata Negra is exactly like a Spanish tapas bar should be: it is a buzzing locale enhanced with a terrace outside, a pleasant pub-like atmosphere inside, tiles evoking Andalusia, sizable hams, and aromas filling the whole place. They make everything from simple meals to more special courses like garlic octopus and oxtail.
The recipes are not modified or rethought, everything is just the same as on the Iberian Peninsula. According to the owners, Szilveszter and Vilmos, who both drew inspiration during their travels, this is how it should be, as there is no need to change anything on something that is already great. And we agree, especially after enjoying a few tapas dinners on the terrace at Kálvin Square. Even though this is Budapest’s first Pata Negra, there is another joint on the Buda side, on Frankel Leó Street.
Must have:
- variegated scallop (2,450 HUF)
- chili-garlic shrimp tail (1,800 HUF)
- croquette with serrano ham (750 HUF)
5/6
Vas Manci – the newbie
Vas Manci is one of the best things that has happened to Vas Street recently. We wouldn’t even think that here, between Blaha Lujza Square and Astoria, we could find ourselves amid a truly Mediterranean atmosphere within seconds. While we munch on olives and seeds by the door, our hostess fills the table with mouthwatering goods in the blink of an eye. Polett Lengyel lived in Valencia for years, which means that we find several Mediterranean flavors in her small bistro, but the Spanish line is truly strong. All kinds of basic tapas are featured on the menu: Spanish tortilla, or the beautifully colored, creamy, and healthy salmorejo (it almost only contains tomato) that is best devoured with Brasil tapioca rolls. They also have creams – the Atlantic mackerel paté is a true gourmet dish – and more hearty meals. Everything is made in the kitchen on the gallery by Anda and Adri. On Wednesdays and Fridays, they host “bocadillo” afternoons here (between 5pm - 10pm), which means that various extra bites come with our wine, beer, or coffee, giving insight into the exciting selection of the kitchen. Must have:
- salmorejo
- homemade seeds
- Atlantic mackerel paté
6/6
Vicky Barcelona – the trendy cosmopolitan
Vicky Barcelona is found in the middle of downtown, in Gozsdu Courtyard. It is a truly popular and constantly buzzing place with a catchy name, Spanish music, and charming style: the narrow interior is enhanced with crimson curtains, mosaics, a bullfight depicted on tiles, and dark wooden surfaces. Vicky Barcelona could even stand strong in Spain, but probably more in Barcelona or in Madrid than in small southern towns, where it would be too much of a big deal if the garlic aioli sauce was a bit more pink than white, like here.
In Vicky Barcelona, classic tapas are made with a twist and served a little more elegantly, which also makes these meals a little more expensive. We recommend visiting Vicky Barcelona on a night with live music, and stay until the fiesta really gets going.
Must have:
- croquetas
- Andalusian cuttlefish
- cocktails
