1. Chicken Paprikash (Paprikás Csirke)
One of Hungary’s most famous cuisines, the name of this tender chicken dish comes from the generous portion of paprika that goes into it. The end result is an ochre, oniony concoction that falls off the bone. It’s served with sour cream and spätzle, which is a pasta-like dumpling.
When I visited Budapest I tried this yummy comfort food at Pest-Buda, a ‘grandma style’ restaurant (according to a local), which I think just means it’s traditional home cooking. In any case, it was hearty and tasty, and in a really cosy setting.
If you find yourself on the Buda side of the Danube, check out Pest-Buda for a traditional chicken paprikash dinner.
2. Beef Goulash
Another traditional dish, beef goulash is a soup or stew (depending who you ask) made of slow-cooked meat and, as seems to be the way with Hungarian food, plenty of paprika. It’s flavoured with caraway seeds and onions, and also served with dumplings like spätzle.
Apparently this warming dish was once a favourite among Hungarian cowboys, or gulyás, but it’s still popular today and can be found in restaurants and bistros all around Budapest.
I sampled a pretty delicious goulash at Opera Café, which is a stunning restaurant inside the opulent Opera House on Andrássy Avenue. Not only was my main meal delicious, but the dessert was pretty incredible, too.
3. Meat from the Butcher’s
Butcher’s shops in Budapest aren’t like the ones we are used to in the UK or Australia. They’re not entirely different, either, as you can still buy your fresh meat here. The main difference is that you can eat your lunch right there at the butcher’s: hot sausages or huge pork knuckles slathered in mustard and served with sauerkraut and potatoes.
It’s not fancy, but it makes for a delicious lunch (as well as an inexpensive one). Try Belvárosi Disznótoros, popular with the locals and guaranteed to satisfy even the hungriest traveller.
4. Fried cheese burger
It’s not a burger with cheese on it. It’s a burger made of fried cheese.
As in, a chunk of breaded, deep fried cheese between two bits of bread, and slathered with delicious oniony goodness.
You’ll find this unbelievably good meal at Karavan, a street food courtyard packed with vendors selling everything from Thai food to traditional Hungarian lángos. You’ll find the oozy, cheesy goodness at a stand called Paneer – they also serve melty balls of fried cheese that are to die for.
Oh, and when you’re full of tasty street food treats, head next door to Szimpla Kert ruin bar for a memorable night out!
5. Dobos torte
Cafés have a long and rich history in Budapest, with many of the city’s most creative people spending their days in coffee shops, seeing and being seen. Many of the cafés are intricately decorated, serving sweet treats and delicate drinks in long-stemmed flutes.
If you’re stopping for refreshment, make sure you try the multi-layered Dobos torte, with chocolate buttercream between super-thin layers of sponge cake. The whole thing is topped with shiny, solid caramel, and the sides are dipped in chocolate sprinkles or chopped nuts.
It’s undulgently divine, and definitely a must-eat when you’re in Budapest.
I recommend visiting Ruszwurm Cafe in Buda for a tasty slice of Dobos torte.
6. Chimney cake (Kürtőskalács)
When I visited Budapest in December a few years ago, these chimney cakes were absolutely everywhere – at all the Christmas markets and food stalls. By February, they were a little harder to track down, but they were thankfully still around.
Although I don’t really understand the point of a cake with a gaping hole in the middle of it, the charcoal-cooked, sugar-dipped, buttery treat is so delicious that I can forgive the strange shape.
Anything hot, freshly-made and sweet is okay by me!
7. Tokaji
Yeah, I totally slipped a drink into this list. Sorry not sorry.
Tokaji is a sweet, Hungarian wine that is perfect as a dessert wine, bursting with fruity, honey flavours. Although it is usually super sweet, there are drier versions of Tokaji, which means it can be enjoyed with a main meal, or even a cheese.
Mmmm, cheese.
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