Sampling the hearty Hungarian cuisine is a much as part of the Budapest city break experience as it is crossing the mighty Danube or peering from the top of Buda Castle. But with such a supreme choice of bars and restaurants, just how do you pick the best places to eat in Budapest?

It all starts with a little bit of research, which we’ve already done for you! Simply pick the places to eat you like the sound of and remember to mark them on the map the next time you’re searching for a great restaurant. Here are our top picks…

Kispiac

For a traditional Budapest bistro experience, Kispiac is a perfect choice. It specialises in classic local dishes, where everything is crafted and cooked from scratch. Along with the popular permanent menu, the bistro features a rotating selection of six dishes that are also famous Hungarian specialities.

Hoppacska

You may have heard of the ubiquitous chimney cake before – after all, this sweet treat is served at many street food stalls across Budapest. But here, the twist is that they’re savoury. First, they’re sliced in half, then tasty toppings are piled high in the middle, including faves like Bavarian sausage, pepper stew and paprika-spiced cheese.

Comme Chez Soi

Another restaurant in Budapest with a French heritage, this characterful eatery is compact, cosy and elegantly decorated. It regularly gets rave reviews for its eclectic continental cuisine, offering specialities from France, Italy and Hungary. It’s considered one of the best places to eat in Budapest, so it gets booked up very early. You may need to book up to three months in advance!

Caviar & Bull

Featuring breathtakingly precise presentation and truly innovative flavours, this gourmet restaurant takes gastronomy to new heights in Budapest. Chef Marvin Gauci is lauded for his exceptional signature dishes such as lobster popcorn, while the menu offers up intriguing ideas like salmon carpaccio with applewood smoke notes.

Lucky 7 Burgers

Serving up highly rated fast food in a contemporary American diner-style setting, Lucky 7 Burgers is just the place for trying unique burgers in Budapest. The Lucky 7 Burger itself is two beef patties stacked with cheese, lettuce, tomato and red onion. You can also build your own meal deal with your burger, side, drink and even extra toppings.

Babel
This highly original gourmet restaurant features a menu that evokes the Transylvanian roots of Chef Istvan Veres. Each dish reflects a single memory, concocted with simple, rural ingredients such as nettles and lichen. The ten-course tasting menu incorporates asparagus with chamomile and squid with pumpkin seed. There’s also a seven-course vegan tasting menu that offers carrot tartare and cucumber soup.

Now you’ve got a taste of the very best places to eat in Budapest, it’s time to start planning your trip! First, visit Jet2CityBreaks to find the best deal from your local UK airport, and soon you’ll be enjoying the culinary delights of the Hungarian capital.