Planning a Trip to Budapest and Wondering About the Cost of Meals?

Food lovers will find Budapest to be a dream place. Centrally located in Europe, Hungary’s capital serves up a mix of cuisine that ranges from old traditions to new tastes for prices that seem reasonable when seen against other cities of its rank. If you have little money or are hoping for a gourmet experience, Budapest is sure to have the food you’re looking for.

We’ll cover the regular meal cost in Budapest, show you where to get inexpensive food, highlight famous Hungarian dishes and help you eat well and save money.

Meals in Hungary’s capital are well within reach of anyone’s budget.

How much you pay for meals in Budapest depends largely on where you are eating and what you order. We’ve outlined this post in a way that helps you to start budgeting.

• Category of Meal
• The Average Price Range (in USD)
• Street Food
• The price will be between $2 and $6.
• Casual Restaurant
• $6 – $15
• Mid-range Restaurant
• You could spend around $15 – $30.
• High-end Restaurant
• $30+

The costs shown are not exact and often depend on where you eat, the time you go and the reputation of your chosen restaurant. On the other hand, Budapest still is one of the cheapest European cities for eating out, even when dining in restaurants.

Finding meals that are easy on the wallet in Budapest

You can enjoy high-quality food without spending a lot when you visit Budapest. The places shown below are your best options for getting the most out of your forint.

1. Market Halls

Getting a taste of Hungarian culture is easy if you visit their market halls, including the famous Great Market Hall (Nagyvásárcsarnok). Inside this beautiful building, you will find vendors offering different types of foods, including traditional sausages, salamis, fresh fruit and veggies and hot meals. On the top floor, you’ll find various affordable cooked dishes such as stuffed cabbage, meat stews and of course, goulash. It’s possible to enjoy traditional Hungarian dishes at a fraction of the cost.

2. Food Trucks and Street Stalls

Budapest has a lively food truck business. Near Szimpla Kert ruin bar, places such as Karaván offer Hungarian street snacks along with dishes from many other countries. Don’t miss lángos, deep-fried bread with sour cream and cheese or try chimney cake (kürtőskalács) which is like a sugar-crusted spiral pastry, prepared on a hot stick. You won’t find these snacks for over $5, so they make great stops for a quick bite between sightseeing.

3. Local Cafés

If the chain places are obvious, try to find a cafe or bakery that’s tucked away off the busiest streets. A lot of these eateries offer fresh baked bread, savory pies and Hungarian soups all for less than $10. Enjoy kifli like crescent rolls, pogácsa for cheese scones or bean soup made with smoked meat. Be sure to try Hungarian coffee, it’s really good, strong and always only $1.50 a cup.

What Local Dishes You Should Eat in Budapest

Hearty, excellent-tasting and extremely fulfilling, Hungarian food is what defines the cuisine. These beloved treats might be worth trying while you’re here in Budapest:

Goulash (Gulyás)

In Hungary, you’ll find this classic dish made from beef, carrots, potatoes and paprika, served with bread on the side. You won’t break the bank and you’ll get nourishment too.

Lángos

Typically considered a popular street food, this recipe is deep-fried and topped with garlic, sour cream and cheese. Some people today like to try toppings such as ham, mushrooms or even Nutella!

Kürtőskalács is known as Chimney Cake.

Whet your appetite with coiled pastries that are tea-sweet, baked over fire and dusted with a choice of sugar, cinnamon or cocoa. A sweet treat you should try as you visit the Christmas markets or food fairs.

Palacsinta

Jelly, Nutella or poppy seeds are the usual fillings for Hungarian-style crepes. Many plants are filled with cheese, meats or mushrooms to make them savory.

Chicken Paprikash

It’s a dish that involves chicken being cooked in a creamy paprika sauce and served with nokedli which looks like spaetzle. A favorite for its rich taste and easy availability in either fancy or simple restaurants.

Budapest has a number of other useful tips for eating out.

Follow these ideas and you can have a fun food experience while spending less:

Stay away from areas that are mainly to attract tourists.

Places close to well-known spots such as Váci Street or Buda Castle, tend to mark up their prices. Avoid places right on the main square and explore what’s just off the main streets for better choices.

Make Use of Lunch Menus

Most restaurants include soups and main courses in their daily lunch specials, offered for between $5 and $8. It makes eating simple meals like nearby residents and helps you save money.

Consider having your food in shared portions so you can eat less.

Meals in Hungary are usually abundant. Whenever you’re not that hungry, ordering a few different dishes for yourself and sharing is both smart and tasty.

Try travel outside the main tourist season.

If you go during a time other than April to October, you’ll often pay less for everything you need. You’ll enjoy warmer, richer meals and discover that popular venues are rarely packed during winter.

Tips about Good Tipping

It is typical to add a 10% tip in Hungary when the service meets your expectations. But, first, check to see if the charge is already on the bill and it could be labeled as “service charge.”

All in all

Enjoying the delicious food in Budapest can add to your trip and you won’t have to spend a lot of money. Toronto has everything, from humble food venues to fine dining for every wallet.

A little planning and forethought will allow you to save, have delicious meals and keep some money for activities or treats.

Go right ahead — discover Budapest by enjoying its tasty food and every bite will have a story to share.