The 6 Best Budapest Food Tours

It’s highly likely that what drew you to the Hungarian capital is its rich cultural heritage. I’m sure you’re planning what to see and do in Budapest before you travel, but I’d recommend you don’t overlook the other aspects the city has to offer all its visitors. The best example is, without a doubt, its culinary culture.

To find out how and what people eat in Budapest, there’s nothing better than booking one of the food tours on offer there. Not only will you be able to sample its most traditional dishes and wines, but these tours are also a great way to explore its streets and markets, witnessing the Hungarians’ relationship with their food and, in a way, becoming part of it.

To start getting to know Budapest’s cuisine, there’s nothing better than this tour, which takes you to one of its most iconic spots: the Central Market. Although today it’s largely geared towards tourism, this market has always been the place where the capital’s top chefs came to buy what they needed for their creations.

Accompanied by a guide, you’ll get to discover some of the country’s most typical products, from paprika to Mangalica pork. Of course, during the tour you can sample some traditional Hungarian dishes whilst the guide explains their history and links it to the city.

An explanation of the country’s wines is also a must, as these, together with the food, form a substantial part of Hungarian culture.

General information

• Where is it?: this tour focuses mainly on Budapest’s Central Market
• How much does it cost?: from approximately 30 euros
• How long does it last?: around 1 hour and 30 minutes
• What’s included?: a tour of the market whilst the guide explains the ingredients most commonly found in the country’s cuisine. During the tour, you’ll be able to sample some of the most typical dishes
• Recommended for: those looking for a brief introduction to the country’s cuisine in an iconic location

One of the best tours you can take in Budapest is this one dedicated to traditional Hungarian food. Not only will it help you discover its most classic flavours and wines, but you’ll also explore some of its most interesting spots and visit the trendiest shops in the culinary sector.

As you might expect, this type of tour starts at the Central Market Hall, where the guide will introduce you to the wide variety of ingredients that characterise the country’s cuisine. You’ll also learn interesting facts about the building itself, which forms part of the Hungarian capital’s history.

Still inside the market, once you’ve learnt a bit about how people eat and drink in Budapest, you’ll be able to sample some snacks that are part of the city’s culture,

After leaving the Central Market, you’ll stroll through some of the streets in the city centre, stopping off at various eateries. This itinerary wouldn’t be complete without trying some of the typical pastries, as well as the famous traditional hot chocolate if you’re visiting Budapest at Christmas.

To round off the tour, you’ll usually get to sample some local wines accompanied by artisan cheeses.

General information

• Where is it?: it usually starts at Budapest’s Central Market Hall and stops at four or five other locations in the city centre
• How much does it cost?: around €92.
• How long does it last?: around 4 hours.
• What’s included?: the price includes around 5 stops at various dining venues in Budapest. Lunch, a wine tasting and a discount on purchases at a wine shop are also included.
• Recommended for: those who want to sample some of the specialities of Hungarian cuisine in a small group

One of the most interesting tours you can take in Budapest, exploring the Jewish Quarter. If you also get to sample the food served there, the experience is even more highly recommended. To make this tour even better, the groups are always small, allowing you to enjoy each activity in a more intimate setting.

The Jewish Quarter stands out for the cultural and culinary richness of the Jewish community. Today, this neighbourhood is located in the city’s 7th District and in recent years has been transforming into one of the most modern and lively areas of the Hungarian capital. In fact, it is one of the best areas if you want to enjoy Budapest’s nightlife.

The tour I recommend usually takes you around the district accompanied by a guide who will recount the history of the Jewish community up to the Second World War. As in so many other countries, the conflict led to the creation of a ghetto that confined its inhabitants. Furthermore, many of them fell victim to the horrors of the Nazis.

As you wander its streets, you’ll see old houses and some neoclassical synagogues, as well as popping into various restaurants to sample traditional Jewish specialities. On this culinary tour, you’ll discover dishes such as flodni, turos taska, pork crackling and sausages.

The tour also includes a lunch of traditional Jewish fare, as well as a tasting of a type of kosher palinka in a ruin bar in the area.

General information

• Where is it?: the tour covers Budapest’s Jewish quarter, in the city’s 7th District
• How much does it cost?: the price is around €110
• How long does it last?: the tour usually lasts around 4 hours
• What’s included?: as well as an expert guide, the tour includes several food tastings, lunch with wine, a palinka tasting and entry to a synagogue
• Recommended for: those who prefer small groups and want to discover Budapest’s unique culinary scene

As well as helping you discover Hungarian cuisine, food tours of the capital also aim to teach you a little about the country’s wine production. These wines, virtually unknown abroad, can be tasted in many venues across the city, including shops, restaurants and bars.

In this case, the itinerary takes you to one of the specialist shops in this sector. There, a wine expert will lead a tasting session where you can sample up to 8 different varieties selected to provide an overview of wine production in Hungary.

As part of the activity, advice is also offered on pairing wine with different foods, ranging from fresh bread to the so-called “hidegtál”, a selection of cold meats and cheeses typical of the country.

One of the advantages of this tour is the limited group size. Groups will consist of a maximum of 14 people, ensuring a much more personalised experience from the expert leading the tour.

General information

• Where is it held?: it usually takes place in one of the main wine shops located in the historic city centre
• How much does it cost?: from around €53
• How long does it last?: the whole session lasts around 2 hours
• What’s included?: accompanied by a sommelier, you’ll enjoy a tasting of 8 different wines paired with traditional Hungarian appetisers.
• Recommended for: anyone wishing to discover one of the lesser-known aspects of Hungarian gastronomy – its wines

To enjoy Hungarian food and drink, you can also take a trip to the area around Budapest. Specifically, you can spend five hours visiting the Etyek region, famous for its wine production and cheeses.

This excursion usually begins with an interesting tasting of another of the area’s most renowned products: chocolate. This takes place in an artisan workshop, as does the cheese tasting, which you can opt for instead.

The most interesting part of the tour is, without a doubt, the visit to a local winery. There, you’ll be able to sample various types of wine so you can learn about the different varieties produced in the area. Finally, the tour ends with a wonderful two-course meal featuring some of the country’s most traditional dishes.

General information

• Where is it located?: Etyek is just over a 30-minute drive from the centre of Budapest
• How much does it cost?: The whole activity costs around €100
• How long does it last?: The tour lasts for almost 5 hours
• What’s included?: chocolate or cheese tasting, a visit to a family-run winery with a small tasting, and a traditional lunch
• Recommended for: those who want to get out of the city and try the fabulous wines of the Etyek region.

Although this isn’t a food tour in itself, I can’t help but recommend this evening cruise on the Danube, which includes a wonderful dinner and will also give you a good insight into the country’s culinary culture.

During the river cruise, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the city. You’ll be able to see, for example, the magnificent Buda Castle, the Parliament Building or the Chain Bridge whilst listening to live music performed on board.

The buffet-style dinner features some of the most delicious specialities of Hungarian cuisine. Among the dishes you’ll usually be able to sample are goulash, traditional pork crackling soup, delicious paprika chicken, and strudel for dessert.

General information

• Where is it located?: Cruises usually depart from the city centre, from a jetty situated between the Parliament and the Chain Bridge
• How much does it cost?: from €27
• How long does it last?: the duration is usually between one and a half and two hours
• What’s included?: an extraordinary journey through the city centre, a buffet dinner and live music
• Recommended for: those looking for the most romantic tour of Budapest whilst sampling its delicious food

Many of the food tours in Budapest start (or pass through) the city’s Central Market. There is no doubt that this grand building has become one of the best places to discover Hungarian cuisine and is an essential visit during a stay in the capital.

The history of this market is quite turbulent. It was built in the late 19th century, when five markets were erected across the city. The Central Market was the largest of them all, but many Budapest residents protested against it, believing it had caused a rise in food prices.

The building was badly damaged at the end of the Second World War and gradually lost its importance in the years that followed. In fact, in 1991 it was declared a ruin and closed to the public. Fortunately, a few years later restoration work began, transforming it into what it is today.

The Central Market is open every day of the week except Sundays. The building houses around 180 shops of all kinds, ranging from food to souvenirs for tourists, as well as restaurants and bars.

Despite its popularity as a tourist attraction, the market has not lost its status as a shopping destination for the people of Budapest. Hungarians and visitors alike gather in its eateries in search of traditional dishes such as goulash. Its patisseries are also a highlight, where you can discover the sweetest side of the country’s cuisine.

If there’s one thing the culinary tours of Budapest will help you with, it’s discovering a cuisine not widely found elsewhere on the continent. To give you a little idea of what you’ll be tasting, here are four examples of traditional dishes.

• Goulash: although you can find it all year round, if you’re visiting Budapest in winter, there’s no better dish to warm you up than goulash. It’s a thick soup (or a stew with plenty of broth, if you prefer) with vegetables, beef and paprika.
• Csirkepaprikás: the main problem you’ll face when trying to find this dish in Budapest is knowing how to pronounce its name. In short, it’s a recipe for chicken stewed with paprika, sour cream and various vegetables.
• Lángos: this dish can be considered Hungarian cuisine’s contribution to fast food. Lángos, hot fried bread topped with various ingredients (like a kind of fried toast), can be found on many streets in the city or at stalls in the Central Market.
• Kolbász: in fact, this name refers to various types of sausages made in Hungary. The recipe varies depending on the region of the country, and you can find them boiled, smoked or dried.