If we had to pick a street food that's been present in Budapest for the past 20 years, it would definitely be the gyros. Anyone who's ever eaten a gyros or kebab in Budapest will recognises this unmistakeable question: would you like onions and chili sauce with that? Well, here are the gyros and kebab spots where they can do so much more than that, as well as some that do no more and no less, but are still worth a taste.
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Gyradiko Taverna - Óbuda
Gyradiko opened in 1999 in a spot further out from the beating heart of Hungary's capital. Located in the 3rd District on the border of Békásmegyer it soon became popular in the area. They serve authentic gyros and other Greek meals. This is likely the result of the commitment of the owner, who always aims for top quality and who still gets some of the ingredients from Greece. Nothing shows the popularity of the place better than the fact that they now have three places in the city. We can also eat the famous gyros near Flórián Square. A gyros in a pita costs 370 forints and according to traditions it is made of pork, alongside the meat there is also tzatziki, onions and fries.We recommend that you order it on a plate (for 1290 forints) because it offers such an orgy of flavours that you will remember it forever.
If we mentioned Gyradik as the first, then Kyros is definitely the second in the city that is the proud owner of the 'one of the best gyros' title. They are in the XIII District and they make a gyros that matches a traditional Greek version very well. The pita is not what you are used to, you get a much better, tastier version, and neither the meat, nor the other ingredients have anything to be ashamed of (645 forints in a pita, 1145 forints for a plate version). If you feel the desire, you can also choose from other traditional Greek meals, such as the broiled feta cheese or the bifteki.
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Leonidas Gyros
It seems that the great gyros places are attracted to the outer areas of the city, and this is the case here too. And although Leonidas is not that far out, prepare yourself for some travelling if you are in the downtown area. The good news is that it is well worth the trek because the selection is authentic Greek. It says everything that the place is owned by the uncle of one of the owners of Kerkyra. The pita version costs 700 forints, and the plate costs 1500 forints.
Address: 214/4 Üllői Road, 1191 Budapest
There are places that seem like they are trying to hide from the wider public. One such place is Vasilis Gyros, in the outer part of IX district, that I could barely find when I was in the area and could scarcely find a trace of on the internet. They are unmistakably Greek, so fries are included in the gyros, which in a pita is 680 forints and 1280 forints on a plate. Above all, you can find other Greek specialities on the menu, such as the moussaka or the stuffed egg-plant.
