Boozy ice-creams: 18+ And Less
In the city’s party vortex, a newly opened ice-cream parlour sells frosty summer treats with a twist. Here they come in the flavours of Jack Daniel’s, Aperol and mojito, even Hungarian barack pálinka brandy, all imbued with moderate alcohol content. A selection of 18 different ice creams features at 18+ and less, an outlet set up for those who like their gelato with an intoxicating punch to it. Whether you swear by Russian vodka, Greek ouzo or Hungarian IPA beer, this ice-cream shop has it all, suitably set in Budapest’s District VII, surrounded by bustling nightlife. More details
Speciality Café: Flow
A few steps from Oktogon on Andrássy út, Flow is a new speciality café and bistro. Besides refreshing breakfast brews, there are also hot vegan dishes, and a terrace for convivial sipping and dining. Coffee choices start with simple and double espressos, and a filtered variety, while there is also an ever-changing premium option. Breakfasts, lunch specials and pastries also feature, all strictly vegan-only, of course. More details
Speciality Café: Forest Café
Among the minimalist and contemporary speciality cafés of Budapest, Forest aspires to be a little different. Barista Maxim Ferenczi trained at the best places in London and Budapest, and now aims to offer high-quality brews amid a cool and laid-back atmosphere. No frowns here if you put a lot of sugar or milk in your coffee. The aim here is not to overdo hipster coffee culture, but to offer speciality java in an educative way. And if you genuinely didn’t like your cuppa, you don’t have to pay. Do give it a go, the destination is Papnövelde utca in the city centre. More details
Local craft beers: Hedon
Hedon’s brews somehow taste best at their taproom on Sas utca. You can choose from 30 variations all together, such as tropical fruit-flavoured pale ale called The Breakfast Beer, a cucumber-flower lager known as Wolf Daze, and popular IPA Indian Summer. A big advantage for newbies is that you find detailed descriptions about each brews. Upon entry, you get a card that you can charge up. Then you insert your card into the right slot for the particular beer you picked and brew yourself a refreshment. This way, you see how much beer there is in your glass and how much money you are spending from your card. Prices vary, but a decilitre costs between 250-500 forints. More details
American diner: I 55
Deep-dish pizza from Chicago, jambalaya, steaks, BBQ dishes, monster shakes, nachos platters… The I 55 diner sets out to present US cuisine in its entirety with giant portions, delicious cocktails and a stylish interior. Its signature offering, deep-dish pizza from Chicago, is as thick as a pie, with cheddar and potatoes blended in the dough, and topped with Italian mozzarella, cheddar, ricotta, meat, vegetables and, finally, a thick, spicy tomato sauce. The smallest pizza is a ten-inch version, but an epic 14-inch, eight-pound variety is also available. More details
Mediterranean: La Fabbrica
Restaurant, bar and street-food spot in one, La Fabbrica focuses on the cuisine of the Mediterranean region. Here in Budapest’s city centre, chef Mario Palermo prepares spaghetti with fresh, sweet tomatoes, pasta with squid and lemon, and a delicious variation with seafood. All of them are imbued with simple but amazing flavours that perfectly evoke the atmosphere of the Mediterranean. More details
Rooftop cocktails: Leo
Crowning recently unveiled Hotel Clark on the Buda side, Leo is the latest addition to the city’s roster of rooftop bars and probably the most panoramic, too. A toast here involves Krug champagne or variations of gin and tonic, and a backdrop of the Chain Bridge as you may not have seen it before. The horizon even features St. Stephen’s Basilica, Parliament and the Buda Castle. Run by the same chef as the in-house Beefbar restaurant, the kitchen at this top-level hangout creates Kobe burgers, prime pizzas with beef and even popcorn with truffles. More details
Neapolitan pizza: Manu+
Thin dough, crispy crust and a generous amount of tasty toppings; Neapolitan pizza is quite something. And at Budapest’s new Manu+, it is baked to perfection in just one minute. You pick a pizza from the menu, place your order and then just have time to settle in at one of the tables before your dish is delivered. Hiding in an atmospheric courtyard on Múzeum körút, Manu+ is the new outlet of Pizza Manufaktúra, an immensely popular eatery in town, its name a guarantee of high quality. More details
Jewish cuisine with a twist: Pesti Sólet
Hidden away in a side street of District XIII, this understated Budapest eatery serves a sizeable portion of smoky cholent, bean stew with meat and boiled eggs, made according to a traditional Jewish recipe. While proud Pesti Sólet owners present select dishes inspired by their family heritage, the restaurant offering also includes courses with an international flavour, such as pipita, a pita-wrapped tandoori chicken with herbs and vegetables. More details
Hungarian fine dining: Stand
Stand puts traditional Hungarian cuisine in a fine-dining environment. Hungary’s most famous chef duo, Tamás Széll of Bocuse d’Or fame and his highly talented spouse, Szabina Szulló, have just launched this new restaurant on Székely Mihály utca. For the past year, the couple has been successfully operating their Stand25 Bistro at the Downtown Market, where the goulash soup and the Somlói sponge cake are legendary. At this new destination, dishes such as smoked eel cubes with onion foam, fish soup with smoked carp and roe, and lamb roast with stuffed cabbage and ramsons feature. More details
Japanese: Sushi Oceans
Sushi Ocean on downtown Széchenyi utca allows aficionados of Japanese cuisine the chance to enjoy real home-made flavours. In this stand-out restaurant, you can sample ramen, sushi and the best kimchi in town. Entering this basements complex, you are greeted by walls of colourful montages, and a young chef in operation. You can either find a seat at a dining table, or plonk yourself at the counter to admire Hirose Yoshihiro at work, which, as it turns out, involves far more than the compilation of diverse nigiri. More details
Mexican: Tereza
Generous Mexican mamita Tereza has moved to Budapest’s Nagymező utca. There is no lack of mango, avocado, tortillas and, of course, true Mexican flavours here, and everything is made fresh on the spot. While the summer is at full blast, Tereza operates in a laid-back garden with street/comfort food, while from the autumn, it moves inside the adjacent restaurant and switches to the next gear. More details
Street food: Tölcsibe
In party central, recently opened Tölcsibe sells savoury waffles loaded with breaded chicken, vegetables, even spicy salsa, coleslaw or barbecue sauce. At this Wesselényi utca eatery, this hand-held treat currently comes in five varieties, but more combinations should be introduced soon. The classic spicy BBQ cone is made with coleslaw and a drop of American barbecue sauce, in addition to the freshly roasted meat, of course. Another version completes chicken with homemade cheddar sauce, jalapeño, tortilla chips and a sprinkle of spring onions. Then you can also get your meat mixed with cucumber, onions and coriander-infused salsa sauce. More details
Vietnamese: Vin Vin City
Recently opened Vin Vin City on Andrássy út awaits with a spacious, trendy interior in a perfectly central location, where delicious food is offered at reasonable prices. Everything is prepared fresh: spring rolls in meat or vegetarian varieties, phô variations, tasty fried duck, and rice pudding, just to name a few. Its Vietnamese owner and kitchen staff guarantee authenticity in every detail. More details
Meat- and dairy-free: Vegan Garden
Vegans are now in for a treat in Budapest. The Rácskert garden within the city’s Jewish District has just reopened to become a haven for those on a plant-based diet. Providing permanent parking for six street-food trucks, Vegan Garden is the place to come for thin-crust pizza, ice cream and even Mexican chili non carne, all made without products of animal origin. Then there is also kebab made with popular meat substitute seitan, and burgers with mushrooms and carrot patties. Cakes and alcoholic drinks also feature. More details
