Pasta, prosciutto, risotto... Italian food is popular the world over. Quality Italian cuisine now has a starring role in Budapest’s dining scene, and while you’ll still find mainstream chain restaurants are aplenty, there are also select establishments where you can taste la real dolce vita. Here we bring together the most splendido spots for great Italian eats – we’re still munching our way through the best pizzas in town, to be featured in a separate Ultimate Budapest list in the near future.
Welcome to Ultimate Budapest! In our ultimate series we list the best of Budapest, its bars and spas, its boutiques and cafés, its sights and restaurants. Regularly updated, always on the ball, this is your go-to guide for everything that’s great about this great city.
1/7
2Spaghi - Gozsdu Udvar
Two lively Italian guys run this pasta-lasagne place at the Gozsdu Courtyard, awaiting guests with Italian pastas made fresh that day, on display in the counter. As it is meant to be, they learned all tips and tricks from their grandmothers, as nonne most certainly know best how to make that tagliatelle flat, ravioli nicely filled and spaghetti long and thin. After picking out your favorite shape, the pastas can be ordered dressed in creamy sauces on the spot, or if you feel like cooking up something at home, you can order them by gram. 2Spaghi’s pastas are heavenly, but don’t miss out on the tiramisu either!
3/7
Fausto’s Ristorante
Fausto Di Vora’s restaurant in Dohány Street has always been that notch above, maintaining its status as the best Italian eatery in town. Fausto’s is open for lunchtime and evening service, awaiting guests with a finely crafted à la carte selection, as well as course tastings. Their pastas and risottos are exceptional, and the dishes here are made with the most modern of kitchen technology, combining tradition with the latest fashion and sophisticated style. The adjacent Fausto’s Osteria is open from noon to 11pm, and offers traditional Italian flavors amid a cozy and more laid-back bistro atmosphere.
4/7
Il Terzo Cerchio
Il Terzo Cerchio is a fuss-free Italian in Dohány Street near Blaha Lujza Square. Huge windows, rustic stone walls and arches provide a markedly Italian atmosphere, carried out over two invariably busy floors. Il Terzo serves standard Italian creations made from prime ingredients, and thanks to the open-view kitchen, you can even sneak peak into the creative process. This place is popular with tourist, expat and locals alike, and is perfect for a date or dinner with friends.
5/7
Krizia
Chef Graziano Cattaneo opened Krizia with 30 years of culinary experience behind him, and the restaurant has been among the top Italian eateries ever since. Krizia truly has it all: amazing food, a cozy ambience, attentive staff and lovely wines. The menu does not feature the standard dishes you would find elsewhere – everything is offered with a twist. The service is super-friendly and the chefs always strive to satisfy the wishes of the diner, even with improvised creations.
6/7
Millennium da Pippo
Forza Juve! Sicilian-run Millennium da Pippo, its terrace occupying a prominent spot on Andrássy Avenue, has long been a favorite for those seeking authentic Italian cuisine in equally authentic surroundings. Many come here for the thin-crust pizza, the house selection named after Italy’s World Cup-winning team of 2006 – the Del Piero of Parma ham and rocket particularly recommended – but the rest of the menu merits investigation. Da Pippo makes good on its promise of delivering “The true tastes of Sicily” with varied antipasti of tuna-swordfish carpaccio, assorted cold cuts and mixed fried dishes, frittu S. Lucia. Soup concoctions were once created by the owner’s grandmother in Syracuse. Mains focus on escalopes, grilled sirloin steaks and Sicilian-style bream. Choose your dessert from the enticing display – Sicilian staple cannolo would be a wise buy. Sundays here are a treat, with Serie A games screened and Juventus wins celebrated.
