Will be arriving in Budapest from USA staying at Budapest City Hilton. We probably won't want to venture far from the hotel since we may be tired. Any recommendations for where we (party of 3) can enjoy an authentic Hungarian meal and be able to hear each other talk? Prefer moderate prices ideally w/some atmosphere. Thanks in advance!!
BP
Your hotel concierge/staff would be a great resource.
What counts as too far? Liszt Ferenc Ter has a number of good restaurants and it’s about a 15-20min walk from the your Hilton and easy enough to get to (I stayed at that same Hilton my first time to Budapest, on a business trip, and met up with some Hungarian friends at Liszt Ferenc Ter mainly because I was already walking to the opera house). Otherwise I found the area immediately around the Hilton to be more fast-paced modern - with the mall and train station right there, lots of offices and fast food restaurants.
It's a fifteen minute walk (or a 5 minute taxi) to Hungarikum Bisztro. Small (capacity less than 30), a hammer dulcimer player, family owned, nice food - the RS 2017 Eastern Europe guide book (page 663) goes a little overboard, stating it is the "best place in Budapest for authentic, traditional Hungarian cuisine." If you decide to go, make a reservation with Susan or you'll never get in...https://hungarikumbisztro.hu/en/home/.
I've eaten there a few times, always a wonderful experience - but it's important to understand - this is a city filled with wonderful restaurants.
The hotel restaurant has some local favorites on their menu and can be conveniently billed to your room if you haven't found an atm to get some Hungarian florints.
You can also try trip advisor for restaurants (best near castle hill and/or the funicular) or bring up the hotel in Google maps and use the "nearby" button to search for cafes/restaurants.
Many have websites with menus in English or use Google to translate. Although the translation can be quirky. I was reading a menu for a place across the river on the pest side and a menu item came up as "a selection of cats"....... Tried it the next day and it came up as a selection of cheeses and sausages. Phew!
Just made a reservation at Hungarikum for the evening of May 16th. Our last night in Budapest.
Not the most convenient hotel. But if you walk to the front of the train station you have two choices. Take the 4/6 Tram one stop to the Oktogon which gives you all of Andrassy ut, including Liszt Fernec ter (I dont much care for the area, a bit trashy and touristy) or go the opposite direction one stop, cross the street and get on the 2 Tram for the most beautiful ride in Budapest, and in Europe after sunset. Get off at the stop just after the Chain Bridge and dine outside at one of the Corso restaurants with a stunning view across the Danube. Yes, touristy, but worth it.
This one is near your restaurant and I think on 15 years of visiting Budapest I never had a better Hungarian meal than what I have had here. Dripping with atmosphere too and few if any tourists http://www.kiskakukk.hu
Or like I said in the post I accidentally deleted, I know a place near with belly dancers if that is your definition of atmosphere.
Thanks for the restaurant advice, James. I get into Budapest for a week starting on the 5/2. I will have to try it out! I was going to try and search your posts, since there seems to be a lot of great ideas there. Staying near the Opera house, so it looks like most areas are pretty convenient to get to!
Matt
You choose a good location. My place is there too. My favorite wine bar Kadarka is across the street from the Opera and in two blocks at the corner of Vasvari Pal u. and Kiraly u.
