Budapest Restaurant Tour: Honest Reviews of 5 Local Recommended Restaurants and Cafes
Budapest Budapest We share our honest experiences at 5 restaurants and cafes we visited during our trip to ‘Porto di Pest’, ‘New York Cafe’, ‘BESTIA’, ‘chimney cake shop’, ‘Pizza Me’, ‘Sörforrás étterem’. This includes detailed information on the location, atmosphere, menu, prices, and our personal evaluations of each place.
Porto di Pest: A Local Eatery Visited on the Way to New York Cafe
We stumbled upon ‘Porto di Pest’ while heading to New York Cafe, drawn in by the friendly staff. It was a welcome find as many restaurants in the area don’t open until 12 PM. Intrigued by its 4.4 Google Maps rating, we decided to give it a try. Despite the slightly chilly weather, the outdoor seating with awnings was comfortable. The cola came with a slice of lemon, adding a refreshing touch.
We ordered the Goulash (2,790 Forint), Schnitzel (4,450 Forint), and Hungaryan Special Pasta (3,650 Forint). The Schnitzel was particularly impressive with its very crispy coating. The Goulash was decent for our first time trying it. However, the Hungaryan Special Pasta had a strong cheese flavor that might be polarizing. The accompanying bread was moist but lacked seasoning, making it a bit bland on its own, though it paired well with the Goulash. The restroom was very clean. Two people paid a total of 13,435 Forint, including cola and tip.
New York Cafe: Sweet Desserts Amidst Lavish Interiors
After our meal, we visited ‘New York Cafe,’ famous for its opulent interior. Upon entry, there were separate queues for reservations and general admission. We waited briefly in the general queue before being seated. Despite many empty tables inside, there always seemed to be a line, suggesting a unique system in place.
We ordered a Cortado (similar to a cafe latte), an iced coffee, and a Tiramisu. The Cortado was 2,800 Forint, and the other items were 4,025 Forint each, making it quite expensive (approximately 15,000 KRW). The coffee was average, but the Tiramisu was exceptionally delicious and highly recommended. We paid a total of 12,477 Forint, including the tip. While videos of live performances inside the cafe are widely shared, we didn’t include them here. We recommend taking photos at the designated photo spots when it’s less crowded.
BESTIA: A Restaurant with a Great Atmosphere Near St. Stephen’s Basilica
‘BESTIA’, located near St. Stephen’s Basilica, was chosen for its late operating hours and pleasant ambiance. It was also conveniently close to our accommodation. While it wasn’t crowded early on, by 9 PM, it was bustling with customers, creating a lively atmosphere. Many patrons were enjoying not only meals but also beer.
We ordered lamb chops, chicken breast steak, roasted sweet potatoes, cola, and beer. The lamb chops, ordered medium, were served undercooked. The meat was tasty, but it’s best to eat it immediately as the flavor deteriorates significantly when it cools. The white sauce served alongside tasted like a refreshing tartar sauce. The roasted sweet potatoes, ordered as a side, were disappointing due to their crunchy texture. The chicken breast steak, despite being chicken breast, was moist and had an impressive steak-like texture. Including the tip, the total was 24,783 Forint, making it the most expensive meal we had in Budapest.
chimney cake shop: The National Snack, Chimney Cake
‘chimney cake shop’, located near St. Stephen’s Basilica, is a famous chimney cake shop found throughout Budapest. We tried the basic vanilla and cinnamon flavors with added Nutella. We found the basic bread to be more delicious, and it was still enjoyable even when cold. Adding Nutella cost 500 Forint.
Nearby, there was also a currency exchange office near the Hungary National Opera House, offering a better exchange rate than the airport. It wasn’t searchable on Google Maps, so we’ve attached a map of the vicinity.
Pizza Me: A Slice of Pizza for a Quick Bite
‘Pizza Me’, located near the Hungary National Opera House, is a good pizza place for a simple meal. It was also close to the currency exchange office. We ordered the standard pepperoni and mushroom bacon pizzas. Personally, I found them not too salty and quite good. However, it was a bit disappointing that the pizza was served cold despite our request to have it heated. Nevertheless, we still enjoyed the cold pizza. Including the tip, the meal was a reasonable 2,730 Forint.
Sörforrás étterem: Local Cuisine After Shopping
‘Sörforrás étterem’, located on Fashion Street, was our choice for local food after some shopping. We ordered tomato pasta, potato soup, and a BBQ pork ribs with fries set. The tomato pasta was overcooked, but the portion was very generous. The potato soup was savory but a bit salty. The BBQ pork ribs were tender and had a delicious sauce, and the accompanying fries were warm and tasty. However, the lack of ketchup was a minor disappointment. The total for two main dishes, one side, and two beers was 21,034 Forint. The tourist set menu here seemed to offer good value for money.
