15 Best Budapest Foods To Try in 2025

Offering a blend of history, tradition, bold flavors and modern innovation, indulging in Budapest food is a great starting point if you want to learn about the culinary identity of Hungary. From the smoky richness of slow-cooked goulash to the crunchy indulgence of street food lángos, the city’s cuisine tells a story of Hungarian heritage with every bite. 

But how does Hungarian food stand out against the backdrop of Central Europe? Shaped over generations by influences from Central Europe, the Ottoman Empire and Austria, Budapest food offers a mix of traditional comfort dishes and contemporary innovations. This historical city is the perfect place to start your foodie tour of Hungary with these 15 dishes being the top ones to taste first.

• What Food Is Budapest Known For?
• The 15 Best Foods in Budapest, Hungary To Try
• Learn To Cook Budapest Foods

What Food Is Budapest Known For?

Budapest is the capital of Hungary, so if you’re after a wide selection of traditional dishes, it’s the place to be. The landlocked country’s food is known for its bold flavors, liberal use of Hungarian paprika and hearty dishes that help you stay warm throughout the colder months. Whether you’re sampling street food or dining in historic cafés, Budapest food offers something for every palate.

Cornerstone ingredients include Hungarian sweet paprika (and hot paprika for those who like their stews spicy), caraway seeds, sour cream, lard or goose fat for cooking and plenty of fresh herbs like parsley.

Staple vegetables like potatoes, onions, cabbage and tomatoes appear often in traditional dishes and meats like pork and beef are frequently used. With access to the Danube and Tisza rivers and Lake Balaton, Budapest food also prominently features freshwater fish like carp, catfish and pike. 

With so many options to choose from, joining a food tour in Budapest is the best way to experience all the different dishes on offer. A food tour also offers access to all the hidden gems loved by locals that you likely wouldn't find on your own.

The 15 Best Foods in Budapest, Hungary To Try

1. Gulyás

Considered the national dish of Hungary, goulash (gulyás) is a hearty soupy stew with deep, smoky flavors. It’s made by slow-cooking beef with onions and potatoes and it contains one essential ingredient: Hungarian sweet paprika. 

Goulash is traditionally made in a bogrács (cauldron) over an open fire, which allows for the slow infusion of all the ingredients, resulting in the stew’s signature rich flavor. This classic Budapest food is a must-try for visitors and you may even come across variations that include Hungarian dumplings (csipetke). Some recipes also incorporate different meats like pork or lamb. 

If you’re looking for traditional Hungarian food, goulash is one of the best Budapest foods to try. As it’s so popular, you’ll be able to find it served in various places, from countryside inns (csárda) and traditional Hungarian restaurants to local festivals and European Christmas markets. Enjoy your goulash with crusty bread to soak up all the hearty flavors of the broth. 

2. Lángos

Lángos is another beloved Budapest food that you must try at least once. It’s made from yeasted dough that is shaped into a flatbread and fried until crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. 

This iconic Budapest food is often brushed with garlic oil and topped with sour cream and cheese, though modern variations may also include ingredients like ham, bacon or sausage. You can even find sweet versions like those with Nutella. 

Notably, lángos is a common sight at street food stalls across Budapest where it’s always served fresh and piping hot. While originally made as a quick meal on the go, its popularity has led to many dedicated lángos stores opening across Hungary, including in Budapest. Whether you prefer it savory or sweet, this dish deserves a spot on any foodie bucket list!

3. Csirke Paprikás

The perfect comfort food, chicken paprikash (csirke paprikás) is a creamy dish that’s infused with the warming and slightly sweet flavors of paprika. 

Bone-in chicken is simmered in a sauce of onions, garlic and tomatoes and the dish is thickened with sour cream. The key ingredient — Hungarian paprika — gives it that signature deep red color and a mild, slightly fruity sweetness. 

You’ll usually find chicken paprikash served with nokedli, which are small Hungarian dumplings similar to German spaetzle that soak up all that delightful sauce. As a staple Budapest food, it’s one of the most comforting homestyle dishes you can try. 

You’ll be able to find it sold in most casual eateries and traditional restaurants and while chicken remains the most popular variation of this Budapest food, you can also try it with pork or turkey. You can even make a vegetarian version using beans as the protein. 

4. Töltött Káposzta

In the world of online food trends, stuffed cabbages are taking off for their versatility and gluten-free status. But for Hungarians, stuffed cabbages are a staple of their cuisine that has been around for generations. 

This Budapest food is made by rolling up cabbage leaves stuffed with a filling of ground pork or beef, plus rice and paprika. The rolls are then slow-cooked in a tomato sauce until tender. Hearty and filling, this dish is perfect for warming you up during a bitterly cold winter day. 

You may see this Budapest food at gatherings and feasts during the festive season and it’s also a popular dish to serve around Easter — though you’ll be able to find it year-round in most traditional restaurants. Some regional versions will add smoked sausage or bacon for extra flavor and the rolls are often served with sour cream and bread on the side. 

5. Halászlé (Fisherman’s Soup)

Originating from Hungary’s riverside towns in the Danube River and Tisza River regions, this spicy Budapest food is traditionally enjoyed on Christmas Eve but you can also find it in many fish restaurants along the Danube in Budapest throughout the winter season. 

Fisherman’s soup contains an aromatic broth loaded with spice and this Budapest food highlights the fish that are available in the landlocked country, including freshwater fish like carp or catfish, alongside onions, paprika and sometimes tomatoes. The Szeged version is typically spicier, while the Baja version is a thicker soup served with matchstick-shaped noodles. 

6. Hortobágyi Palacsinta

Almost every country in Europe has its own take on the crêpe and Budapest food is no different. These savory-style crêpes are stuffed with minced meat made of pork or veal, plus onions and paprika. After being rolled up, they’re baked in a creamy tomato-paprika sauce until tender. 

While most crêpes around Europe are sold by street food vendors as a snack, this Budapest food is enjoyed hot with sour cream as an appetizer in restaurants or on special occasions. 

Named after the Hortobágy National Park in eastern Hungary — but with no actual relation to the area — this dish is a staple across Hungary with an array of restaurants in Budapest serving the dish. You may find adaptations that swap the meat for mushrooms and cheese and the sweet dessert version is called gundel pancakes. 

7. Dobos Torte

Budapest is considered one of the best foodie cities to visit because of its rich culinary history and diverse traditional dishes — and many of those dishes include sweets. If traditional desserts are high on your list of the best Budapest food to try, look no further than Dobos torte. 

Created by József Dobos, a Budapest delicatessen owner, in 1885, this dessert consists of multiple layers of sponge cake with rich chocolate buttercream between each layer. Topped with caramelized sugar, it’s no wonder that this is one of the best food in Budapest for those with a sweet tooth! 

You’ll be able to find this historic cake in many of the traditional cafés around Budapest, like Café Gerbeaud and Ruszwurm Confectionery. Variations can also be found which may include rum-infused buttercream or layers of chopped nuts for added texture. 

8. Kürtoskalács

If you’re after the most traditional Budapest food, you’ve got to try a chimney cake! Known locally as kürtoskalács, this delicious cake is made by wrapping a sweet dough around a wooden spit before baking it over charcoal until golden brown. You’ll usually be able to spot some being made fresh at Christmas markets and street fairs.  

Once cooked, the chimney cake is rolled in sugar and cinnamon or cocoa and sometimes even crushed nuts, creating a crispy, textured exterior that contrasts the soft, fluffy interior. Originating from Transylvania, this Budapest food is typically enjoyed warm and goes great with mulled wine, hot chocolate or coffee. 

9. Rakott Krumpli

Rakott krumpli is essentially an oven-baked casserole made from layers of sliced potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, smoked sausage and sour cream. Baked until golden brown on top, this Budapest food is comforting, filling and all you need to get through the cold winter months. It bears resemblance to scalloped potatoes and French pommes boulangère, dishes you may be more familiar with. 

As a staple Budapest food in home kitchens and homestyle restaurants, you may also be able to find it served at casual Hungarian eateries. Variations can include bacon or cheese for extra indulgence — but the true charm of this dish lies in its simplicity.

10. Kolbice

If you’re looking for more modern Budapest food, look no further than kolbice. Consisting of small grilled sausages that are served in a cone-shaped bread roll, you can garnish your kolbice with mustard, cheese sauce, pickles or some crunchy fried onions (or a combination of all of these). 

This on-the-go snack has become increasingly popular on the Budapest food scene. You’ll usually be able to grab a cone from street food vendors, at outdoor markets or from eateries specializing in the dish like Kolbice by Kobe Sausages. Some vendors may even offer a choice of different types of sausage, including varieties like curry, vegetarian, chicken or pork. 

11. Jókai Bableves

Jókai bean soup is a thick, smoky bean soup named after the Hungarian writer Mór Jókai. Created as a satisfying meal to help people get through the cold months, this Budapest food consists of kidney beans, smoked ham hocks or pork sausage and vegetables, all seasoned with paprika. 

Simmered with stock to create a rich and thick soup, this dish can also be found with chile peppers added for extra warming properties. Above all, you’ll nearly always find Jókai bean soup served with sour cream on top and bread on the side for dipping. 

This is a classic Budapest food to enjoy during the winter and you’ll be able to find it in nearly all restaurants that specialize in traditional Hungarian cuisine. It’s also quite easy to make at home if you’re looking for a comforting dish, no matter where in the world you are. 

12. Káposztás Tészta

A delicate option on the Budapest food scene that complements any hearty main, cabbage noodles, locally called káposztás tészta, is a must-try dish when visiting the city. Made with wide and flat egg noodles that are combined with sautéed cabbage, onions and black pepper, this dish is simple but packed with flavor. 

Cabbage noodles are often served with stewed meats to bulk out the dish and crispy bacon or caraway seeds can also be added for extra flavor. This Budapest food appears on the menus of homestyle restaurants and casual bistros.

If you’re looking for food in Budapest, Hungary that mirrors the humble origins of many local dishes, trying káposztás tészta at least once has to be on your culinary to-do list. 

13. Pörkölt

This Budapest food is similar to goulash but the main differences lie in its consistency and the way you’ll find it served. Pörkölt is thicker than goulash and it’s made by slow-cooking meat and vegetables into a stew. Beef is the most commonly used meat but pork, lamb or game meats can also be used. 

Typically served with egg noodles or potatoes, this Budapest food scene can be found at traditional restaurants and family-run bistros. While the dish uses simple ingredients and cooking techniques, the flavors are rich and hearty and the cheap cuts of meat (alongside a hefty amount of powdered paprika) reflect this food of Budapest’s humble origins as a peasant meal. 

14. Töltött Paprika

Hungarian stuffed peppers, called töltött paprika, are all you need when you’re hungry in Budapest! Bell peppers are stuffed with ground pork, rice and spices, then simmered in a tomato sauce until tender and juicy. This Budapest food is a popular summer dish and it’s often enjoyed with sour cream and crusty bread. 

You may find versions substituting the ground meat for paprika-spiced sausages and some homestyle restaurants will serve stuffed peppers with potatoes to make a more satisfying meal. Stuffed peppers are an approachable and accessible Budapest food as you only need a few ingredients to make this show-stopping dish. 

15. Túró Rudi

Túró Rudi is a unique Hungarian confection brand that produces chocolate-covered bars filled with sweetened curd cheese. Popular in Budapest and the rest of the country for its delightful contrast between the tangy filling and the smooth chocolate coating, these chocolate bars (named Pöttyös) can also be found in different flavors ranging from raspberry to lemon. 

While many believe the filling is cottage cheese, it is actually a tangy curd made by coagulating milk with lactic acid bacteria and rennet, then mixing it with cream for a smoother, sweeter texture distinct from traditional cottage cheese. You’ll usually find Túró Rudi sold in Budapest food and drink stores, making it convenient to pick up and try as you explore the city.

Learn To Cook Budapest Foods

Are you keen to bring the flavors of Budapest food into your own kitchen? One of the best ways to do so is by taking a cooking class, where you can learn how to prepare dishes like rich pörkölt, delicate Hortobágyi pancakes and indulgent Dobos torte from expert Hungarian instructors. 

If you’re planning a holiday to the city, why not explore cooking classes in Budapest? Learning about these historical dishes first-hand is the best way to immerse yourself in the cultural traditions specific to Budapest food. 

Alternatively, if you can’t travel, consider looking for cooking classes near you, where you can get hands-on guidance and cultural insights to improve your skills. There are even online cooking classes available that allow you to explore Budapest food and Hungarian cuisine in general from the comfort of your own home. 

From rich stews to delicate pastries, this list highlights some of the best food in Budapest, Hungary that every visitor should try. There’s no shortage of ways you can learn about and indulge in the foods of Hungary; whether you’re thinking of making a rich, hearty stew for your family during winter or you’re looking to find the best desserts in Budapest to enjoy, Budapest food is a celebration of simple ingredients and how they can make a meal shine. 

For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.