Restaurants in Budapest

This has long been regarded as one of the city's best restaurants, and it is certainly one of its most famous. Gundel has been serving traditional dishes since 1894, and some have become city institutions, including the Gundel pancake and goose liver speciality. The wine list is extensive and the art nouveau interior is a feast for the eyes too.

The ‘Owl’s Castle’ is a quirky gem of a place with a rather unusual unique selling point: all its staff members are female. There’s no real reason for this, and men will feel very welcome all the same, as the real reason to come is for the food, which is modern Hungarian with various interesting European influences on its regularly changing menu.

Liszt Ferenc tér is one of the hottest spots for drinking and dining in Budapest, and Menza is at the square's core. Anyone from business lunchers to in-vogue celebs can be seen dining here, which makes this a place to book ahead. The menu is filled with modern takes on traditional Hungarian dishes, and most are surprisingly affordable considering Menza's popularity.

This landmark Budapest café/confectionery is a must-see. The interior is gorgeous, done up in Austro-Hungarian opulence, complete with rich plaster work, magnificent chandeliers, marble tables, lavish fine wood panelling, and brocade wall coverings. Among other decorative items is the piano that was intended for use on board the Titanic.