Budapest's best new restaurants, cafés, bars, and hotels of 2023

Restaurants, bistros

We visited the Mexican eatery Hugo's, located only a few steps away from Fővám tér, in its early days. And we found decent food, tapas & drinks vibes, friendly service, and Mexican flavours, perfect for some warmth in dull January. Teyföl opened in the centre of Szentendre (a lovely town north of Budapest, renowned for its cobbled streets, colourful houses, and provincial charm) – offering well-known, Hungarian canteen flavours with a twist, in an adorable design.

Kréta started as a pub on Bartók Béla út but turned into a bistro – much to the delight of locals. Fricska 2.0 on the corner of the Grand Boulevard and Dob utca offers French bistro flair, and you are welcome to visit Zöld on Hajós utca if you're looking for sustainable dining. Kpi's Soup & More near Nyugati railway station offers Japanese and Hungarian fusional cuisine, and if you can't decide between Italian or Asian cuisine, Soy&Olive is the place to go. If you like the concept of several cuisines at one table, you can try the Roman pizza, the Taiwanese dishes of 101 Bistro, and the fried meat of Buja Disznó(k) at Oda, which opened in the summer on the site of Czakó Kert.

If you're more interested in maintaining your health and figure rather than indulging in fried meat, Zili's Health Bar will be a place to go, available since August. To relive your summer Balkan memories, you can do so with the Ćevapi and pljeskavica of Unkija on Bródy Sándor utca. The controversial Mol Tower has also seen some openings: on the ground floor, Zazie awaits guests; a French-inspired bistro offering Hungarian dishes, leisurely breakfasts, and exciting to-go options. While on the rooftop, 122 metres above the city, VIRTU features Central European flavours. Adding to the list of accessible Hungarian cuisines is Zsolt Haraszti's new place, Adam Bistro steps away from the Chain Bridge.

Those who prefer Asian flavours will be happy to note that the team behind Sao, Khan, and Qui has opened Opium, with a focus on Indochinese cuisine. You can also make a pilgrimage to contemporary Asian Zen Eatery for Hanoi ramen at a slightly more reasonable price. A new addition to the Budapest gastro scene is the Moroccan kitchen Jouri, which has become a mecca for couscous and tagines.

In addition to the many oriental and local flavours, an exciting British place has opened next to the Oktogon: Bob's Kitchen is set to delight even those who have never been fans of British cuisine. If you're looking for a place to slow down, the recently opened Hygge is the place to immerse yourself in plant-based dishes. And on a slightly different note: Hippeace by Főzelékes Feri, a spot specialising in a Hungarian curiosity, vegetable stews, opened on Klauzál tér in early December, as a test run.

Coffee shops, breakfast spots, bakeries

In the most bohemian district of Pest, Újlipótváros, the year had some local kick-offs: the Green Life Bakery is a true free-from heaven where you can snack on perfectly guilt-free rolls. Bringiton has added a café next to the bike shop, and Puppychino is the cutest dog-friendly place in the neighbourhood.

Lisboa Pastry & Bakery, which can be found in several locations around the city, has opened a unit on Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út and Bartók Béla út with warm egg breakfasts and its own brand of coffee. BaKudapa, next to Károlyi-kert, is the city's first Indonesian café, where you can enjoy Sumatran coffee and spicy snacks. In the summer, there was no shortage of ice cream: the newest Nour dessert boutique opened at the Basilica, Füge Café and Shop opened an ice cream parlour called Mikrokosmos at Bartók Béla út, Mamo invaded Tompa utca after Ráday utca, and now you can cool off with Erdei Fagyizó's delicacies near the Opera. Egy csipet torta, a lovely and stylish dessert shop, has also swung its door open near the Parliament – in addition to wedding cakes and desserts, they have launched a wonderful cake collection.

Mátyás Bakery on Mátyás tér has kicked off with excellent túrós batyu (sweet dough filled with sweet curd), while the Bubci Café on Móricz Zsigmond körtér offers a hearty brunch in the morning and delicious cakes in the afternoon. Self-taught baker Bea Bocskorás has also opened a bakery offering mouthwatering and creative treats: Homebakker in Budafok.

Asian flavours are making their way to the breakfast table – we tasted one of the best breakfasts of the year in Briosh, in the lobby of a hotel near the Keleti railway station (the area is nicknamed 'Csikágó', the Hungarian phonetic spelling of Chicago, due to – guess what – the high crime rate in the area). The eggdrop project, which started its conquest from Korea, is now available here. If you're in Virányos, the green and chic outskirts of Buda's 12th district, and you're hungry, it's worth stopping by Aladár Deli: you are in for leisurely breakfasts, delicious coffees, homemade sandwiches, and tasty cookies. And speaking of Deli, Bocca Gourmet Stories, open in the MOM Park shopping centre, holds incredible treasures, be it gourmet pasta, special spices, exquisite oils, delicatessen, or exciting drinks.

Street food

It seems that the Neapolitan pizza fever is still running high: Moto and Digó both opened new units this year. Moto is now (also) located in Rákóczi tér, while the new Digó welcomes guests in the City Park, too. Simon's Burger, one of the younger generation's favourite burger joints, has also opened new outlets at the Arany János utca metro station, Deák Ferenc tér, Astoria, and the Westend CityCenter shopping centre, and has added an excellent selection of hot dogs.

In addition, Pizza Manufaktúra, enjoying 13 years of steady popularity, has opened a new eatery next to the Rákóczi Square Market Hall. The district of Újpest, a lovely family neighbourhood in the Northern Pest side, has also welcomed a small burger bar – not just now, but this year they've had some big developments – The Burger Project, offering big, juicy burgers at reasonable prices. It's also been a good year for fries: at Krumpli, opened on Móricz Zsigmond körtér, you can get the highest quality fries, based on Belgian and Dutch recipes.

Szúp has also opened in a similarly tiny space: on Szilágyi Erzsébet fasor, you can just grab a bowl of soup and go about your business.

Terraces, bars, nightclubs

The summer has been pretty good for new terraces, with Szitakötő on the up-and-coming Népsziget, a fairly sizable complex offering a selection of drinks and a fish counter, a pizza counter, and a pulled pork counter.

Meanwhile, in the lobby and inner garden of the Szakszervezetek Háza (House of Trade Unions) on Benczúr utca, a laidback concert venue and café called Tütü Tango Kert Café opened (due back from a break in February). The party district has seen some new additions, as well: Bårom Bar on Dob utca is a tiny alternative nightclub, while Elysian Bar on Akácfa utca is a 21^st-century concept with a zero-waste approach, offering seasonal cocktails. And in the Klauzál Square Market Hall, you'll find flawless craft beers at Klauzál Craft.

Next to Ensō, Bar Bizarre, a wine bar aimed at Gen Z, opened, not to be confused with Bar Brutål on Bartók Béla út, which is also mainly populated by post-millennials – they also serve exquisite pasta at 2,000 forints a portion. Permanens Vakáció on Margit körút attracts a similar crowd, while Balagan, opened above the Mazel Tov, takes you to a whole different world – it specialises in Middle Eastern small plates and excellent cocktails, definitely an exciting addition to the Pest night.

Hotels

W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International, celebrated the grand opening of its first hotel in Budapest in July. W Budapest is housed in the iconic Drechsler Palace on Andrássy Avenue, right across from the Opera House, and it feels like staying in a French Renaissance palace. Only in a modern, urban, and playful environment and with all the comfort of the 21st century – including mouthwatering dishes at the Nightingale restaurant. In September, another 5-star hotel opened under the Marriott International portfolio, and it is no less fabulous. Downtown Dorothea Hotel, inspired by the lives of Archduchess Dorothea and Palatine Joseph in 19th-century Budapest, found home in three grand buildings from varying eras, evoking history at its finest within 216 rooms and suites. The crown jewel is the Pavilon Restaurant & Bar, a glass-covered green oasis.

In the autumn, another Marriott family member swung its doors open. The Four Points by Sheraton Budapest Danube, a cosy 4-star hotel, opened in November along the banks of the Danube. With 105 guest rooms and a rooftop bar, it offers a dazzling panorama of the river and Margaret Island. Not far from Budapest's cultural hotspots, the first Hampton by Hilton in the city hotel welcomed guests in September. Only steps away from the Opera House and St Stephen's Basilica, the three-star Hampton by Hilton Budapest City Centre offers 219 rooms, a gym and a laid-back lobby bar. 

(Cover Photo - Attila Polyák We Love Budapest)