19 Best Restaurants in Belvaros (Inner City), Budapest

This atmospheric and intimate Michelin-starred restaurant, which sits in the shadow of the Inner Town Parish Church, serves a choice of tasting menus inspired by the lands of the Carpathian Basin, from Austria in the west to Romania in the east—and, of course, Hungary at the heart of things. Chef Kornél Kaszás and his team specialize in innovative, flavorful, and playful dishes that put gourmet spins on traditional Central European country fare: think oysters served on cheese crackers, layered potato with Mangalica bacon, and schnitzel with sweetbread, as well as surprisingly effective flavor pairings like white asparagus and coffee. There are also thought-provoking experiments with temperature (such as ice-cold foie gras served in a hot pastry cup) and the expected order of food and drinks (with the bread course appearing halfway through the dining experience, for example, or a Tokaji wine paired with a fish course rather than a dessert). The menus change with the seasons, but there's always one constant: the excellent Casino Egg served with sturgeon caviar; another gourmet take on a local classic. For the ultimate dining experience, opt for the decadent 12-course "Experience" menu (69,000 HUF without wine), or slim down your meal slightly with the 8-course "Exploration" menu (55,000 HUF without wine). Vegan versions of both are available on request.

A classic turn-of-the-20th-century gathering spot for Hungarian writers of the Nyugat (West) magazine, this coffeehouse has endured two wars and a communist closure. For 19th-century grandeur in 21st-century comfort, this popular café can't be beat. Coffees are served on silver trays with glasses of mineral water just as in the old days, but these days they are enjoyed in air-conditioned comfort. The menu includes substantial dishes like hortobágyi palacsinta (meat pancakes with paprika sauce) and borjú paprikás (paprika veal stew) all day. Don't miss the excellent cakes and pastries, on view in a glass display case.

A classic turn-of-the-20th-century gathering spot for Hungarian writers, this coffeehouse has endured two wars and a communist closure. Today, it offers 19th-century grandeur in 21st-century luxury: coffees are served on silver trays with glasses of mineral water like in the old days, but in air-conditioned comfort. Open early until late, the café's menu spans everything from light, international breakfasts to substantial Hungarian dinners like crispy duck leg and chicken paprikash.

This old-fashioned bakery-café has a loyal following for some of the lightest, most buttery pastries in Budapest. All the classic Hungarian cakes like rétes (strudel filled with sour cherries, apples, or cheese) and dobos torta (chocolate cream cake with caramel) can be enjoyed here, along with some unique in-house creations. If you find yourself near Széll Kálmán tér across the river (on Metro line 2), you can also check out their original, and still active, shop at Fény utca 8.

This adorable outdoor-only café and wine bar is set by the entrance to the lovely Károlyi-kert park, known for its colorful flower beds and manicured lawns. A pleasant spot for breakfast, a light lunch, or evening drinks in the glow of lanterns, Csendes Társ is open from April to mid-October only. Be sure to check out its cool sister ruin-bar, Csendes Létterem, just around the corner.

Stone walls and floors, Mediterranean white and blue paint, and a lively terrace will transport you to Santorini. While a little pricey, this authentic restaurant offers high-quality Greek food and service, as well as a welcome palate break from typical Hungarian fare (so welcome, in fact, that there's often a queue outside). If you're not sure what to order, try the two-person Dionysos plate, which comes with a little of everything, including chargrilled pork tenderloins, ribs, gyros, tzatziki, pilaf, and fresh vegetables. There are also plenty of good fish, seafood, and vegetarian options. Save space for some fabulous Greek ice cream desserts.

For a quick, cheap, vegan fix, it's hard to beat this fast food burger place on Királyi Pál utca. Order from a screen and your food will be with you in a jiffy; you can sit inside or take it to go. As well as a good choice of burger fillings, there are also vegan tortillas and salads.

With an expansive terrace on swanky Fashion Street, as well as an appealing interior connected to the Kempinski hotel, this bistro is a popular choice for lunch and dinner. Steak is the specialty here, with excellent cuts of Austrian Alpine, Angus, and Wagyu beef—regulars can even get a personalized steak knife, which is displayed in a glass cabinet between meals—but there are plenty of other options too, from salads to soups, grilled duck liver to pan-seared salmon. Vegetarian and (especially) vegan options are limited, but the beetroot burger is a popular choice; the goat cheese is optional. For dessert, order the decadent "ÉS triple chocolate brownie," served with chocolate-caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream.

The wicker chairs and café tables of this elegant brasserie, on a quiet and leafy square tucked behind Váci utca, are reminiscent of a scene out of a French movie; the summer terrace is about the prettiest location for lunch in Budapest. At other times of year, visitors can still enjoy seasonal Hungarian favorites like sült libacomb (crispy goose leg) in winter and asparagus soup in the spring, in the Parisian bistro-style interior.

The basic Indian-style dishes at Govinda may not be that exciting from a culinary perspective but everything is vegan and made from fresh products coming straight out of Krishna Valley, a communal village of Hare Krishnas near Lake Balaton that dates back to the change in regime. This religious eco-community is almost completely self-sufficient, using solar energy and sustainable subsidies, and supplying their six Hungarian restaurants with vegetables and other stocks. Though a bit on the heavy side, the dishes are wholesome and satisfying.

This restaurant's large outdoor terrace in the heart of the Inner Town makes it a popular lunch stop with tourists throughout the summer, who are also tempted by the good-value midweek lunch menus (3,950 HUF for two courses or 4,450 for three). Come later in the day and you will find a full menu of delicious international dishes, including pasta, noodles, burgers, soups, and salads—as well as an unbeatable cocktail menu and (very loud) live music.

It may be named after a type of Bundt cake that's popular in France and throughout Central and Eastern Europe, but this place is more than just a café-bakery. A stylish French-style bistro, it's popular for its extensive breakfast and brunch menu, including everything from croissants to banana bread, eggs Benedict to avocado toast, as well as a lunch menu comprising creamy soups, grilled cheese sandwiches, and Hungarian specialties. Come for the food, stay for the pleasant terrace setting, including views to Március 15 tér (March 15 Square) and the river in the distance.

As life in Budapest becomes increasingly mobile and fast-paced, this fast food restaurant caters to on-the-go locals with no time to dither by specializing entirely in soup. While the menu is limited to soups, it is not limited: there are soups of all flavors and origins on the always-changing menu. It's a good spot to dine in or get lunch to go.

This is the place to try a traditional Transylvanian "spit" or "chimney" cake, a cylindrical pastry made from sweet yeasty dough. It's cooked over a charcoal fire then sprinkled with sugar. You can also add your own extras, from almonds to poppy seeds, and get it served with an ice-cream filling.

The decor at this high quality Inner Town restaurant is said to be inspired by the Piarist monastery that once stood here, but with its hip industrial lighting, plushly upholstered furnishings, and sleek open kitchen, it takes quite the imagination to picture monks dining here. Instead, you're likely to find a mix of hip locals and food-loving tourists tucking into the bistro's modern takes on age-old Hungarian dishes; think rabbit tenderloin with potato dumplings, duck breast with kohlrabi pottage, and catfish fillet with clams.

Meat lovers will be spoiled for choice at this dedicated steak house specializing in imported Argentine beef, where cuts difficult to find in Hungary (like rib eye and New York strip) are aged and lovingly grilled. Steaks can be ordered by weight and come with classic side dishes like jacket potatoes and creamed spinach. The mostly Hungarian wine list is affordable and well-suited to juicy beef dinners.

The first European outlet of Wolfgang Puck's celebrated Beverly Hills restaurant, Spago Budapest's eclectic menu reveals a wide range of influences, from Hungarian and American to Mediterranean and Asian. Expect everything from spicy sushi rolls to buffalo steak tartare, corn-fed roast chicken to house-smoked salmon pizza—all immaculately presented and full of flavor. The gorgeous interior includes an open kitchen, allowing you to see the dishes come together, but the best seats are to be had out on the large terrace, which runs along Duna utca. Start or end your meal with a signature Spago cocktail like the Sakura Manga (made with rum, cherry liqueur, mango, and coconut).

Fresh, quick breakfasts and light lunches are offered in this cheery little street-side café, open 9 am to 4 pm. As the name suggests the menu is simple, but the ingredients are good, the food looks beautiful, and the service is great. There are plenty of vegetarian options, too. You'll find Szimply down a small, café-packed alleyway known as Röser udvar; it's between Semmelweis utca and Károly körút.

Visiting Italians tell us this popular trattoria feels pretty authentic, with its bustling waiters, rustic interior, and wooden tables filled with families on Sunday. An antipasti bar in front overflows with marinated artichokes, white-bean salad, and other classic Tuscan treats, and there's a well-worn brick pizza oven in back. The extensive menu boasts some of the best fish in town, including several sea bass options. The little understood mozzarella ventigli pasta with San Marzano tomatoes and fresh oregano (homemade cheese-filled ravioli with garlicky tomatoes and lots of oregano) is a dish to die for.