Budapest Aug 6-9

Yes—at the busier white-tablecloth restaurants.

You can often get in without - especially if you aren’t particular. But Kenko is right - it’s wiser to make a reservation. For most places it doesn’t need to be more than a day or two. But if you have somewhere special you want to go and you know when, reserve earlier, of course.

Generally, why not do it? If you go to the restaurant websites, those that take reservations will more often than not have a link, but even if you do have to call, they speak English. In general, the ones that are at high risk without reservations are the tourist guidebook restaurants (with or without white table cloths) and most any of the more expensive ones, especially after 6:45. Like TTM says, a day or two will work.

If you are trying to stay flexible eat a bit earlier (before 6:30) and pick a few in the same neighborhood so Plan B is close or get off the tourist street and go mom and pop local.

TTM has a good list https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/restaurants-in-budapest-revisited

jmh, if you are there on a Saturday there is an outdoor market at the old Market Hall across the street from your hotel.

The hotel gets great reviews and I love the location. Close enough to be convenient for tourism, but back far enough to be more "real."

You aren't far from Kiraly100 Bistro. I took some visitors there last week and they wouldn't stop thanking me. A good Czech basement reastraunt near as well. Ohhh, for a stroll, go up "the other Andrassy" to the park. It ends near the Ethnographic Museum, which is worth the visit for the roof. The Hungarian House of Music is close, too.

Enjoy the trip.