Vegan guests can now enjoy a feast 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 mushroom and carrot patties. Cakes and alcoholic drinks also feature.
Budapest’s street-food vendors selling vegan treats have just got a permanent place to congregate. While trucks equipped with cooking facilities and offering plant-based dishes have been appearing in Budapest’s gastronomy courtyards in recent years, until now the city didn’t have a similar food court where only vegan dishes are served.
The launch of Vegan Garden brings another dimension to the culinary scene. Within the same patio, a meat-free Mexican restaurant has been unveiled, the first of its kind in Budapest. Cleverly named Vexicana pampers taste buds with signature chili non carne made from seitan ragout, spring onions, chili and soy cream. Quesadilla with bean hummus and smoked vegan cheese is also available. Then there is, “I am so corny”, which stands for corn soup laden with coconut milk, coriander, popcorn and parsley.
Known for some of the tastiest meat-free burgers in town, Las Vegan’s has trucks in the nearby Karaván food court and just steps away from Buda’s Allee shopping mall. This haven for handheld delicacies fills soft buns with patties made from varied vegetables, including chickpeas. But Las Vegan’s is not only about burgers. Pizzas baked in the shape of a heart is offered by the same vendor and comes with toppings such as seitan kebab, plant-based sausage and a mix of green herbs and veg.
Napfényes will fill you with full-cooked dishes, meat-free kebabs, salads and alternative sausages on the grill. Meanwhile, Vegan Street soothes your sweet tooth with brownies, baklava and mojito cake. For frosty delights, stop by Hideg Nyalat that scoops ice cream made from coconut milk and without sugar or additives. Try their blue Piña Colada, coloured with natural spirulina.
The long-established Rácskert bar is still here, now with a new focus on a sustainable lifestyle. Recyclable glasses are made of plant material and all drinks are in line with veganism. Besides, food waste is delivered to the nearby Kisdiófa community garden, where a facility for composting helps them decay.
