In contrast to many European cities that seem to ooze opulence, Budapest has a grittiness to it that only enhances its allure. That grittiness is no surprise when you consider that until the late 20th century, Hungary was under Nazi, Fascist, and Communist regimes. The city, and its stunning architecture, survived and its beauty feels more meaningful when you understand its past.
With its now-booming tourism industry, you can feel a unique electricity in this city that is new and exciting. The way that melds with its Eastern European roots is incredible, and it makes Budapest a must-visit for any world traveler. Read on for my favorite spots to eat, drink and explore.
EAT
Café Kor: This cute gem of a restaurant serves traditional Hungarian food and was conveniently located around the corner from our Airbnb. The food and service were both incredible, but it’s still a spot that won’t break the bank!
*Tip: I would call ahead and make reservations. They weren't able to get us in the first night we stopped in, so we made reservations for later in the week and came back.
Spinoza Café: This is another cute restaurant with Hungarian dishes. It has a warm and cozy atmosphere but is right in the middle of the Jewish Quarter, which is a super happening area for nightlife! Due to its small size, I’d recommend making reservations here as well.
New York Café (pictured above): This place is known as the most beautiful cafe in the world and now that I’ve been in person, I can absolutely confirm that it’s true! It feels like you're inside the Palace of Versailles or some equally ornate space for royalty. It is so beautiful and expansive. Even if you just pop in for a snack or coffee & dessert, you definitely should see it.
London Coffee Society: LCS is a tiny spot that is ideal for breakfast or brunch while in Budapest. If you start getting a little tired of the heaviness of Eastern European cuisine (a girl can only eat so much schnitzel and potatoes!) this place offers lighter options. Their spinach and goat cheese omelet was heavenly and their coffee drinks were excellent as well.
DRINK
The Living Room: This is the hotel bar inside the Kempinski Hotel, which is a high-end hotel in a happening area of town. We initially stopped in because it was the first hotel we saw and we figured grabbing a drink at a hotel bar would be a good place to warm up after walking around the city. We ended up loving the vibe so much that we came back almost every night for pre- or post-dinner drinks. Bonus: every night at 6:00 p.m., the staff pops a bottle of champagne using a saber (pictured right) and every guest in The Living Room gets a glass once it's opened!
Szimpla Kert: While this is probably the most well-known and touristy spot to go out on this list, my gosh it was worth it. This is one of the traditional "ruin bar pubs" in the Jewish Quarter and I honestly can't even begin to describe them. It was a nightlife experience unlike any other. We had a blast!
*Tip: There is usually always a line if you go late at night, but it moved pretty fast when we were there, which was around 10:00 p.m. on a Friday night. Even with the wait, it was definitely a must-do.
Gozsdu Udvar: Though this is not a single bar, and more of a general area, Gozsdu Udvar had to be included on this list. It is a pedestrian-only street that houses what feels like a million different restaurants and bars. We somehow stumbled upon it and it felt like something out of a fever dream...it was so chaotic and cool! Here are just a few of the bars on this street that we popped into:
Jardin Bar (a small dark bar with cool cocktails)
Spritz Bar (more bright and chill vibes)
Blue Bird Cafe and Karaoke Bar (we actually didn't get a chance to go inside here, but I really wanted to; it looked so fun!)
DO
Fisherman’s Bastion & Matthias Church: Chances are, if you’re heading to Budapest, you’ve at least heard of these incredibly instagrammable spots. Perched atop a large hill on the Buda side of the Danube River, this area offers the most breathtaking views in the city hands down. The only thing that can compete with the views is the stunningly ornate architecture.
*Tip: Take the funicular (a small hillside tram) up to the top and then walk to the church and bastion. The funicular is right at the base of the Chain Bridge. We completely missed the entrance and ended up hiking all the way to the top an alternate way. So. Many. Stairs. Unless you want to be extremely sore the next day, just take the funicular.
Dinner River Cruise: With all of the riverfront architectural offerings in Budapest, a river cruise is absolutely a must. We went on a Legenda River Cruise and got a four-course meal, complimentary glass of champagne and the cruise itself all for $80. It was a pretty good deal and getting to see Hungarian Parliament all lit from the river was one of my favorite things we saw the entire trip.
St. Stephen’s Basilica: While the outside of St. Stephen’s is impressive itself, you can also go inside to climb to the top of the dome for gorgeous panoramic views of the city. There's a small fee and you have the option of taking an elevator most of the way up, or taking the stairs. We opted for the stairs for the "full experience." It was over 300 steps to the top but the views were worth every step.
*Tip: For the best photos, go right around golden hour; depending on when the sun sets, it's about an hour and a half before that. For us, the sun set around 4:30-5:00 p.m. so we went to the top of the dome right around 3:00 p.m. and the lighting was perfect.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath: Thermal baths are a staple in Budapest. Though they are definitely a tourist magnet nowadays, you will still see plenty of locals taking a dip as well! This specific bath is one of the largest in Europe and was highly recommended for the full bath experience. Full disclosure, this was not my favorite thing we did in Budapest but I still think everyone should go if they’re in the city since it is so unique.
*Tip: If you do end up going, here are a few tips that should help you out… 1) entry price is about $20 and you can pre-pay for entry online, 2) you can buy/rent towels, flip flops, and even swimwear for an extra price, and though we opted to bring towels from our Airbnb, we did end up buying flip flops, 3) this was the one place that wasn’t really walkable, but we took the metro and it was pretty easy!
House of Terror: If history is your thing, you cannot miss the House of Terror Museum. This museum documents the terror regimes that Hungary was held under for decades and it was simultaneously heartbreaking and fascinating to learn more about what this resilient country has been through.
With its dark past and thriving present, Budapest is one of the most interesting places I have been. It isn’t just pretty; it has a story. While I think we covered a considerable amount of ground during the four days we had there, I can’t wait to go back and explore more of what Budapest has to offer. And if you visit, I hope you feel the same!
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