Want to get away from the office at lunchtime, but not sure where to eat in your neighbourhood? Or are you enjoying your spring city break in Budapest and only have time to grab a quick bite during the day? If you’re looking for a tastier and more nutritious meal than what the fast food chains around the corner offer, you’ve come to the right place. Now that the days are longer and brighter, we’re all in the mood to spend time outside, so we’ve scanned through the Hungarian capital and found some really nice restaurants with great lunch deals. If you’re in the centre, ARAZ is definitely worth a try, while for those in the 9 thdistrict, we highly recommend TRIBE Table’s business lunch deal. If you’re exploring the neighbourhood of the Buda Castle, make sure to drop by Riso Ristorante & Terrace for tasty Italian bites, and when in Óbuda, you’ll surely strike a great lunch deal at Harbor Restaurant.
ARAZ Restaurant
Centrally located in the Jewish Quarter of Budapest, ARAZ Restaurant offers seasonal gastronomic treats from traditional Hungarian and international cuisine all year round. Vegetarians will find plenty to like in the restaurant's great variety, too. On top of their excellent a’la carte menu, ARAZ also offers a great lunch menu featuring seasonal ingredients. On weekdays, between noon and 14:30, you can choose from two soups, four main courses, and two or three desserts, including more traditional Hungarian dishes and lighter, modern creations. The two-course menu costs 3,290HUF ( ~8EUR), or you can get the full three-course lunch for 4,590HUF (~11,50EUR). Even better, ARAZ makes sure you can enjoy a tasty lunch in the heart of Budapest even on the weekends. On Saturdays and Sundays, the restaurant offers an extended lunch menu with prices of 6,200HUF (~15,5EUR) for the two-course meal and 7,700HUF (~19EUR) for all three courses. On weekends, both versions include a complimentary soft drink or mineral water, a glass of wine or beer, and a cup of coffee. Acting as a real oasis in the middle of the city, ARAZ is perfect for a nice lunch out with friends or business partners.
Details here.
TRIBE Table
While Cloud IX Skybar is the most spectacular part of the ibis & TRIBE Budapest Stadium Hotel, TRIBE Table, the hotel's restaurant, is the perfect place for a bite to eat if you're out and about in Népliget during the day. Their two-course lunch menu called Business Lunch is available Monday to Friday between 12:00 and 15:00. You can choose between a starter or a soup and a main course, or a main course and a dessert. Either way, you’re also invited to a glass of lemonade or water, courtesy of the restaurant. Good news for those on a meatless diet: there’s always a vegetarian option on offer. The lunch deal costs 4,900HUF (~19EUR), including the service fee. If you’re arriving by car, don’t worry about parking: guests of the restaurant can park for free in TRIBE’s car park. And if you’re craving something more, we recommend venturing beyond TRIBE Table’s lunch menu. Especially because the restaurant’s dishes are inspired by sunny California – with a hint of Hungarian spice. Such a unique pairing is not to be missed!
Details here.
Riso Ristorante & Terrace
Nestled in the elegant surroundings of the Buda Castle, Riso Ristorante & Terrace is a perfect lunch choice for those who crave a delicious lunch on the Buda side of the Hungarian capital. If you’re around between 11:30 and 14:00 on weekdays, check out Riso’s weekly business lunch menu. You can start with a tasty soup or starter, just like green bean soup with red pepper marinated feta cheese or Caesar salad with cherry tomatoes. Then you can choose from three main courses, including pizza, ragú, or risotto, just to top it all off with heavenly desserts, like a Norwegian apple tart with vanilla custard. Riso’s two-course lunch menu costs 4,500HUF (~11EUR), or you can choose the three-course option for 5,500HUF (~11,50EUR). Enjoying a delicious lunch under picturesque green foliage is especially nice in the spring. Come with family, friends, or business partners, you’ll certainly not be disappointed at Riso. Just make sure to book a table in advance, as the restaurant gets booked up quickly during lunchtime. And if you’re arriving outside lunch hours, try Riso’s gourmet selection of Italian pizza and pasta.
Details here.
Pearl & Harbor
Situated in Óbuda, Budapest’s 3rd district, Pearl & Harbor restaurant and bowling bar is no ordinary place. Known for its international cuisine and innovative interior design, the compound’s restaurant section, Harbor, is worth a visit for the looks. What’s even better is that Monday to Friday, between 11:30 and 14:30, you can enjoy a delicious two-course daily menu for a very good price. The filling lunch, made up of soup, main course, and a glass of complimentary home-made soft drink, costs 2,890HUF (~7 EUR), plus the service fee. The lunch menu changes weekly, featuring seasonal ingredients and Asian flavours at least once a week – courtesy of the restaurant’s own sushi bar. To plan ahead, you can check the latest weekly menu on the restaurant’s social media pages the Sunday before. Preparing the dishes doesn’t take long, so you can surely make it back to the office in time even if you’re out just for a quick bite. Alternatively, you can get it for takeaway. Parking is free in the Harbor’s parking lot for 3.5 hours, so if your calendar is free for the afternoon, you can also spend time at Pearl bowling bar upstairs.
Details here.
(Cover photo: ARAZ Restaurant)
