Love hearty stews, creamy sauces and warming soups? Then Hungarian food is made for you.
Most people associate Hungarian cuisine with goulash, and of course it tops the list of what to eat in Budapest. But there’s so much more to explore — creamy paprika stews, deep-fried pizza, sweet dumplings and crispy chimney cakes.
Here are 9 dishes you should try in Budapest if you want to taste authentic local Hungarian food — plus a few restaurant tips to make it easy.
1. Hungarian Goulash – the national dish
If there’s only one Hungarian meal you eat in Budapest, make it this one.
Goulash (Gulyás) is the country’s national dish — a hearty soup or stew made with beef, beans, vegetables, and of course, lots of paprika.
As a soup, it’s often served as a starter or light lunch. As a stew, it’s a full, comforting dinner packed with spice and flavour.
📍 Restaurant tips Budapest:
Spíler Biergarten on Castle Hill — a cosy restaurant where we had delicious goulash soup, fried cheese and homemade potato chips. They also serve a great selection of Hungarian beers.
2. Chicken Paprikash (Paprikás Csirke) – creamy and comforting
Paprika is the heart of Hungarian cooking. This creamy chicken stew gets its flavour from sweet Hungarian paprika, thickened with sour cream and served with soft dumplings (nokedli).
📍 Restaurant tips Budapest:
Véndiák Étterem on Egyetem tér. We had chicken paprikash, goulash, two amazing desserts, and a great local wine here. Highly recommended for a full Hungarian food and drink experience.
3. Schnitzel – simple and family-friendly
Schnitzel might remind you of Austria or Germany, but it’s also a staple on many Hungarian menus.
It’s a mild, crispy, breaded slice of pork or chicken, served with potato salad, pickled veggies or tomatoes — perfect if you’re travelling with kids or craving something simple.
4. Lángos – Hungary’s fried “pizza”
Lángos is made from deep-fried pizza dough topped with all kinds of delicious ingredients. It’s classic Hungarian street food, so you won’t usually find it at fine-dining restaurants in Budapest.
Some places do specialise in lángos, though, and you’ll often see it at markets and food trucks.
The dough is fried until golden and crispy, then topped with meat, chicken, ham, sausage or vegetables — and plenty of cheese!
📍 Restaurant tips Budapest:
Bonnie Goulash & Langosh Bar – a great little spot with tons of goulash and lángos options on the menu.
5. Hungarian Dumplings (Nokedli)
Small, soft dumplings made from eggs and flour — similar to German spätzle.
They’re served as a side with goulash or chicken paprikash, and perfect for soaking up that last bit of sauce on your plate.
6. Fried Cheese (Rántott Sajt)
This dish probably doesn’t need much of an explanation. A thick slice of cheese, breaded and fried until golden and crispy. Simple, but irresistible.
Usually made with local trappista or emmentaler cheese, served with a dipping sauce and homemade potato chips.
Hungarian Dessert
7. Chimney Cake (Kürtőskalács) – sweet and crispy
Kürtőskalács looks suspiciously similar to Trdelník, which is hugely popular in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Both are made from dough wrapped around a wooden or metal spit, grilled over open fire, and rolled in sugar, cinnamon, or nuts.
The difference is (we think) that Trdelník is baked on stainless-steel rollers and handled manually, while Kürtőskalács/Chimney Cake in Hungary is usually baked in dedicated chimney-cake grills or ovens.
Either way, you end up with a caramelized, crispy exterior and a soft, sweet dough on the inside.
You’ll find it at markets, in food trucks, and even at kiosks in the metro stations. In some places, you can get it filled with ice cream, chocolate, or cream.
8. Somlói Galuska – the Hungarian trifle
Somloi Galuska is a very popular dessert in Budapest and across Hungary. The cake is traditionally made with three types of sponge cake: one plain, one with cocoa, and one with ground walnuts. It also includes three sauces — vanilla, chocolate, and a rum sauce with orange zest.
The sponge cakes are layered with raisins and the sauces, then topped with nuts, crumble, or whipped cream.
Don’t miss this one!
9. Cottage Cheese Dumplings (Túrógombóc)
I’m usually not a big fan of cottage cheese. These cottage cheese dumplings were surprisingly good (though not as good as, for example, Somloi Galuska). This is definitely a matter of taste, and it’s a great dessert if you prefer a slightly fresher finish to the meal rather than a full-on chocolate-and-cream bomb.
The dumplings are made from cottage cheese, semolina, and eggs before they’re boiled, rolled in buttery toasted breadcrumbs, and served with sour cream/crème fraîche, honey, and powdered sugar.
What to Drink in Budapest
Hungarian Beer
Budapest is a paradise for beer lovers. You’ll find plenty of local lagers, pilsners and craft brews.
Popular brands include Dreher, Arany Ászok and Soproni, plus a wide range of local IPAs, wheat beers and fruit ales.
🍺 Bar tip: Don’t miss the legendary Ruin Bars — a must for nightlife in Budapest.
Hungarian Wine
Hungarian wine is known for quality, especially its reds and rosés. We tried a few — including a dry rosé (not my favourite, but Rune approved!) and some great reds from Vylyan.
Pálinka – traditional fruit brandy
A double-distilled brandy made from fruits like plums, cherries, apples or pears, with an alcohol content of 37–55%.
You’ll find similar versions in Romania, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It’s strong — but worth trying at least once!
Non-Alcoholic: Lemonade
Lemonade is huge in Hungary! You’ll find endless variations — from classic lemon to orange, rhubarb or strawberry. Refreshing, colourful and perfect on a hot summer day.
Jó étvágyat! 🇭🇺
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