Whether you’re in the mood for a refreshing fröccs (Hungarian spritzer) or lemonade, a casual weekday lunch, a long summer dinner, or a few exotic cocktails in the evening, Budapest has plenty to offer when it comes to the ultimate terrace experience. So much so that, for the sake of accuracy, we’ve split our long list of top terraces in the city into two parts (Buda side and Pest side) to make sure we’ve included all our favourites. Here’s our selection of top terraces in Buda for this season. (And if you’re looking for a similar shortlist for Pest, check out our other article here.)
White Raven Skybar & Lounge
It’s that time of year when one of Budapest’s most unique skybars, White Raven Skybar & Lounge, reopens for the season – this time, with new special features. Located on the rooftop of the prominent Hilton Budapest Hotel, the venue now offers new signature cocktails, an expanded menu made from premium ingredients, exclusive champagnes, and even greater music vibes. All that on top of its beautiful rooftop terrace with panoramic views. White Raven’s new cocktail menu reimagines iconic hits from the 1950s through the decades in drink form. The revamped menu is dominated by limited-source meats and fish, including corn-fed chicken and Hungarian sturgeon. In addition, there are great vegan options to choose from. White Raven likes to surprise guests with gastronomic twists: this season they’re getting inspired by flavours from the Far East, such as yuzu, Japanese pepper, cherry blossom and sake. Plus, the biggest favourite from last season, crispy coconut shrimp, continues to be a staple dish on the menu. And what’s more, you can also taste the Heritage champagne of the French champagne house Laurent-Perrier at its grand champagne tasting & dinner on 22 May – for the first time in Central Europe. Don’t miss it!
Details here.
Jamie’s Italian Budapest
Jamie Oliver needs no introduction; his name is a guarantee of quality, taste, and hospitality. Located near the Buda Castle, Jamie’s Italian Budapest restaurant was the first to open in the region in 2017. Ever since then, it’s been mixing the casual atmosphere of an Italian bistro with Jamie’s twist on the dishes. If you’re in the Castle District admiring the fairy-tale-like Fisherman’s Bastion or strolling along the romantic promenade Tóth Árpád sétány, this eatery is an ideal stop for a delicious bite. Even more so, since the restaurant’s terrace offers a wonderful view of the marvellous Matthias Church. Jamie’s Italian Budapest celebrates its 9th birthday on 20 May with a special birthday bash. From 4 pm, a live DJ kicks off the evening, and at 5 pm, you can get ready for a tiramisu feast. After that, the restaurant brings the true Italian spirit with delicious bites and refreshing drinks in a laid-back Aperitivo Party every Thursday from 4 pm to 8 pm. What better way to start the season than with a glass of Campari tonic, Campari soda, Aperol Spritz, Hug, Negroni, or Americano, and a few bites of garlic bread, Italian olives, and stracciatella?
Details here.
Sunhill Bistro & Skybar
For an unrivalled panorama, Sunhill Bistro & Skybar terrace offers picturesque views of Tabán (the residential area on the green slope between Gellért Hill and the foot of Buda Castle) and the bustle of Budapest. From morning to evening, you can enjoy a tasty feast in the embrace of nature at Sunhill. The two-storey terrace is perfect for a lazy breakfast, a quick midday lunch, a romantic dinner, an elegant wine tasting, or a few cocktails with friends. All Sunhill dishes offer a true visual experience, while the flavours are still pleasantly familiar. Exotic seafood dishes, as well as homemade burgers, pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven, and creatively reimagined Hungarian dishes are all integral parts of its uniquely broad menu. Premium drinks and limited-edition specialities further enhance the experience, which you can enjoy under the enclosed pergola in case of bad weather. Thanks to its spacious rooms, Sunhill is also an ideal venue for bigger events, including a wedding party.
Details here.
Riso Ristorante & Terrace
In the elegant surroundings of the first district, at the foot of the Buda Castle, Riso Ristorante & Terrace is where Mediterranean cuisine meets one of the most atmospheric terrace experiences in the Hungarian capital. The restaurant creates special vibes: besides the modern yet welcoming interior, the real star of the summer months is the spacious and sunny terrace surrounded by green plants. Whether it’s a romantic dinner or a light weekday lunch with friends, Riso has everything you could wish for in a memorable experience. The menu is dominated by Mediterranean flavours with Italian specialities and fresh ingredients, perfectly matched by the restaurant’s premium wine selection. Their gourmet pizzas are baked in a wood-fired oven with authentic Italian ingredients such as Fior di Latte cheese, spicy salami, and Parma ham. And of course, when in Riso, you simply can’t miss their staple risotto. You can try the wild mushroom, the chilli-ginger prawn, the sun-dried tomato-spinach variation, the paella “del Mar” with seafood, or even a Hungarian take on risotto called Bácskai rizseshús (veal stew with rice and cabbage salad). After such flavours, Riso’s sumptuous views are really just the icing on the cake. Just don’t forget to book your table in advance.
Details here.
FELIX Kitchen & Bar
FELIX Kitchen & Bar is located in the historic Várkert kiosk at the foot of Castle Hill. Here, refined elegance, carefully selected ingredients, and high-quality gastronomy join forces to create an unmistakable atmosphere. The air-conditioned terrace is spacious and lushly populated with plants, making it a real urban oasis for a luxurious lunch or dinner. Spending time at FELIX offers more than just a meal – it’s a real experience for those who like to relax in style and munch on delicious dishes in the middle of the city. The restaurant offers contemporary Hungarian and international cuisine, where the specialty pizza menu includes delicacies like truffles and tuna carpaccio. FELIX’s iconic weekend brunch menu is worth exploring, along with their classic Hungarian dessert, aranygaluska (a traditional Hungarian dessert consisting of balls of yeast dough and vanilla sauce). It’s not by chance that FELIX has become one of the most beloved weekend gastro destinations on the Buda side, especially on warm sunny days.
Details here.
Babutzi
Babutzi is a true secret garden nestled in Városmajor utca in the 12th district of Budapest. Brought to life by the same team as the similarly beloved Marishka team, Babutzi is an ideal foodie nook for weekdays and weekends alike. From Monday to Friday, you can choose between two daily lunch menu options, and on weekends, everything is given for a nice brunch or a cosy coffee break. Here you can surely count on the chef preparing delicious yet healthy bites, the skilful baristas, the kind waiters, the stunning design and, last but not least, the green terrace scenery. If you’re in the mood for breakfast, make sure to try the Babutzi omelettes or the fresh pastries delivered from Bake My Day. Alternatively, you can ask for French toast, granola, porridge, or pick from a variety of super bowls. For lunch, you can choose from Babutzi’s daily “A” or “Premium A” menu, or check out the à la carte bistro menu. Our favourites are the beef burger and the tapas variations served with fresh pita.
Details here.
Olive di Fragola
Once started as artisan ice cream shops, the brand Fragola has now moved well beyond the association of cold treats. By 2025, they’d expanded their culinary journey to include Italian restaurants across Budapest. On the Buda side, we recommend Olive di Fragola, their cosy little eatery on the corner of Kiss János Altábornagy utca and Tartsay Vilmos utca in the 12th district. It’s the perfect place to be on a nice spring day out and about in the city. You can rest on its green terrace and sample the latest seasonal delicacies, embracing Dolce Vita. The venue has recently updated its menu, featuring a range of legendary pizza, lasagne, stuffed pasta, and risotto, alongside a special selection of fish, seafood, grilled meats, cheeses, and salads. Fragola follows a health-conscious take on gastronomy, making sure everyone can find something on the menu no matter their dietary restrictions. They opened their restaurants with the intention that anyone who is gluten, sugar, or lactose intolerant can also have a delicious culinary experience in a friendly atmosphere without compromise. Olive di Fragola’s professional chef is also willing to cook for guests on individual requests.
Details here.
Gléda
In Óbuda, just a 15-minute taxi ride from the city centre, Gléda is preparing for summer with a nice shady terrace and a menu featuring true Hungarian flavours. No wonder it’s long been popular with locals and tourists alike. The dishes focus on local, quality ingredients from the Buda hills and the Zsámbéki basin, creating a lasting impression with each taste. Try their flavourful beef goulash soup, duck foie gras terrine with Tokaj wine fruit chutney, or chicken paprikash based on the recipe of ‘Lali the Chef”, aka Lajos Bíró. For vegans, we recommend seasonal cream soups or superfood salads with lentils, ginger, and caper dressing. As dessert, don’t forget to taste Gléda’s heavenly cottage cheese dumplings with sour cream and salted caramel, too. Then wash it all off with their own sparkling wine, Gléda Hárslevelű 2018 from Tokaj. Alternatively, you can choose from Gléda’s cocktail menu or the selection of Hungarian wines. In addition, the restaurant is an ideal place for family gatherings. Your little ones will love the kids’ corner, which is a stylish miniaturised kitchen.
Details here.
Vadrózsa Restaurant
Vadrózsa Restaurant is nestled in the picturesque neighbourhood of Rózsadomb, near the centre of Buda but away from the buzz of downtown. This restaurant has served traditional Hungarian and international dishes for 70 years in an elegant villa built in the 1900s. If you want to experience the elegance and luxury of everyday life, this is the place to be. If you arrive as a group, you can also book one of the Vadrózsa’s lavishly furnished private rooms, including the library room, the mirror room, the winter garden, or the wood-panelled Gyarmati room. During springtime, our absolute favourite is the hidden garden where you can enjoy a cosy lunch or dinner while listening to the birds sing. The menu can be best described as 'fine classic', which means that familiar dishes are prepared with quality ingredients and a high level of culinary expertise. They make one of the best 'sólet' dishes in town, and their veal tenderloin Wellington is the perfect example of rooting back to the classics. From the dessert selection, the Somlói style sponge cake, a classic Hungarian delicacy with crispy chocolate and candied walnuts, is a must-try. Along with 'flódni' (a layered cake with poppyseed, apple, and walnut), which they make based on a family recipe and serve with walnut ice cream. Here, it’s not just the menu that shows classic timelessness, but the serving as well, including crystal glasses and Chippendale cutlery.
Details here.
(Cover photo: Sunhill Bistro & Skybar)
