Budapest is only a 2,5-hour drive away from Vienna but still it was my first time ever in the city near the Danube. In 1873 the cities Buda and Pest became one city with the Name Budapest. The city has history, and you can see and feel that. It has the most amazing architecture, very famous thermal baths, and great museums. Not to mention the culinary heaven with great restaurants, bars, and cafes.
Budapest Travel Diary
Where to stay
Arcadia Hotel Budapest
The Arcadia Hotel Budapest is on the Pest-part of the city and it’s very central. You only must cross the street to be on the main shopping street. In this hotel we had a three bedroom, and it was very spacious and comfortable. The bathroom was big too. We booked the hotel without breakfast because we wanted to try some cafes for breakfast anyway. The hotel stuff was very friendly, and they helped us with finding restaurants and informed us about the must-see sightseeing.
Boutique Hotel Budapest
I can also recommend you the Boutique Hotel Budapest. It’s not as central as the other one but still only a 15-minute walk away from the city center and it’s also on the Pest-part. The hotel is near the big market hall and the liberty bridge. The room was very pretty, modern, and new. In this hotel breakfast was included and we had breakfast here on out last day.
I’d recommend you stay in a hotel on the Pest-part of the city because most of the more “famous” restaurants and cafes are on this part. Also, most of the sights, bras and shopping opportunities you can find here. The Fisherman’s Bastion and the Buda Castle in on the Buda-part but it can be easily reached by foot.
Where to eat
Breakfast
As always, I searched for great cafes and restaurants beforehand (here you can find my Travel Tips). So, we already knew where we had to go. Our friend had also great tips for us, so we were all good.
Most of the cafes for breakfast are very small and not appropriate for big groups. I’d suggest you research the size of the cafes and it’s also very important to book a table beforehand. Otherwise, it can get a bit tricky. The recommended restaurants in this post are all suitable for bigger groups of people though.
Cirkusz
Cirkusz is a big cafe with a great breakfast selection. Porridge with berries, Eggs Benedict, Avocado Toast, Salmon Sandwich, Frech Toast, and much more. The portions are big and the food was delicious.
Cirkusz
1074 Budapest, Dob utca 25.
dob25@cirkuszbp.hu
Hilda Budapest
A friend of mine who was with us in Budapest saw Hilda Budapest in a Guide and recommended us this place. When I saw the interior, I was all in. I think it’s very special and pretty. The service was great and we all loved the breakfast. The is a big selection of egg dishes and you can add some extras to all of them. For example, you get Egg Benedicts and add Pesto, Feta, Cheese, Bacon, or veggies to it. It was very tasty. We also had a French Toast and loved it. Don’t forget to go to the toilette there because it’s just the prettiest.
Hilda Budapest
1051 Budapest, Nádor utca 5.
hello@hildapest.hu
+36 30 430 9810
Dinner
Mazel Tov
One of the reasons why I wanted to go to Budapest on the first place was Mazel Tov. Mazel Tov is a middle eastern restaurant which is in the Jewish quarter of the city. The Israeli food and the vibe are amazing. I’d recommend you order some dishes to share so you can try them all. The selection is big and it’s difficult to choose from.
Falafel, Humus, Sweet Potatoe Fries, Classic Fries, Shawarma, Quinoa Tabouleh, different salads, and dips. Every time I went to Budapest, I had dinner at Mazel Tov and it’s always a great experience. Definitely my favorite thing ever in the city. Be sure to book a table in advance otherwise it will be very difficult to get a table.
Mazel Tov
1073 Budapest, Akácfa Utca 47.
+36 70 626 4280
Karavan Street Food
As you will notice from the name already this place is a Street Food Market with different Caravans of different foods. Here you will find Burgers, Mexican Food, Hot Dogs, Langos and more. If you want something sweet, they also have the famous “Kürtőskalács”, which is some sort of a cake. You have to eat one before leaving the city. My favorite is the classic one with cinnamon.
Karavan Street Food Market
Kazinczy u. 18, 1075 Ungarn
Kiosk Budapest
Kiosk Budapest is also one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The building of the restaurant is a dream, and it also has a beautiful outdoor space where you can have great cocktails in summer.
What I liked the best in this restaurant was the sharing concept. They offer some dishes which you can order for 2 or 4 people and these dishes are served directly in a pan. You can serve the food on your own and share it with everybody on the table. There are also “normal” dishes on the menu. But I really loved the whole concept of it. We ordered two of the bigger dishes and some normal sized dishes everything for sharing and it was great.
The food is prepared with fresh regional products, and you can really taste that. It was one of the best dinners I ever had. Also order yourself a dessert which are always served with different homemade ice creams. We had the cinnamon ice cream, and it was the best. On another evening we came here for drinks, and I loved my Gin cocktail. Definitely book a table here.
Kiosk Budapest
1056 Budapest, Március 15. Tér 4.
info@kiosk-budapest.hu
+36 70 311 1969
La Fabricca
La Fabricca is a restaurant located near the St. Stephan’s Basilica and it seems like a tourist trap but it’s definitely not. The interior is very pretty but what was very unexpected was the delicious food. We had the best Pasta with basil and tomato pesto and a great Pizza. The food was really amazing, and we will definitely go there again.
La Fabbrica Budapest
1050 Budapest, Sas Utca 8.
reservation@lafabbricabp.com
+36 (30) 173 9866
High Note Sky Bar
On our second visit in the city we celebrated the bachelorette of a friend and spend one evening here at the High Note Sky Bar which is in the Aria Hotel Budapest. It’s a Rooftop Bar with the most amazing view over the city and the St. Stephan’s Basilica. The cocktails are great and it’s a nice place to end your day.
High Note Sky Bar
1051 Budapest, Hercegprímás u. 5
+36 20 438 8648
Sweets
Chez Dodo
Chez Dodo Artisan Macarons and Café will give you the best macarons you can get in Budapest. The Café is also near the St. Stephan’s Basilica and very central. The Macarons I freshly made in the café, and you can watch them while they are creating these amazing master pieces. The selection is so big that it’s very difficult to choose from. Just to name a few: milk chocolate-peanut butter, strawberry-basil, quince-caramel-walnut, almond-coconut, chestnut-sour cherry, lichi-rose-raspberry, gingerbread-dark chocolate-salted caramel, mandarin-rose pepper, dark chocolate-walnut-apricot, and more. Just check their page to see all of them. I love how different the flavors are and I tell you they taste amazing. Can’t wait to go back to Budapest and come home with these goodies.
Chez Dodo
1051 Budapest, Sas u 7
What to see?
Buda side of the city
Budapest is a city with history and there’s a lot to see. Although the Pest side of the city is more vibrant the Buda side offers some of the famous sights. You can cross the famous Széchenyi Chain Bridge to go to the Buda side. The bridge is one of the landmarks of the city and the oldest and most famous of nine bridges in Budapest.
Castle Hill
From the Chain Bridge you can directly go to the Castle Hill. This area of the city is a Unesco World Heritage Site and it’s home to many of the city’s most important buildings. Here you can find the National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum and most importantly the Buda Castle.
If you wish you can take the cable car which leads you to the hill or you can go by foot. It’s an easy walk so don’t be afraid. The view while walking to the Castle Hill is amazing. I’d really suggest you go by foot.
The Buda Castle is the biggest building of Hungary. It was built in the 13th century and was home to many emperors. Today you can find the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest Castle Museum, and the Budapest Castle National Library in it.
Next to the Buda Castle you’ll find the famous Fisherman’s Bastion. It’s one of the most important and most beautiful attractions of the Buda side. From the lookout towers of the Fisherman’s Bastion, you have a great panoramic view over the city. And right in front of the Fisherman’s Bastion you can see the amazing Matthias Church.
Pest side of the city
The National Assembly is the parliament of Hungary. It is located on the banks of Danube and is one of the most iconic buildings of Budapest. It’s 268 meters long and the tower of the cupola is 96 meters tall. It offers about 700 rooms and is one of the biggest buildings in Hungary. The style is a mix of Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance.
Another attraction is the Palais Gresham which shows an Art Nouveau architecture. It’s located along the river Danube and offers a great view of the Castle Hill. Today the palais is the Four Seasons Hotel Budapest Gresham Palace.
Next on your list should be the Heroes’ Square which is one of the major squares in Budapest. It shows the Millennium Monument with important leaders as well as the Memorial Stone of Heroes. You’ll also find the Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of Art on the Square.
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Near the Heroes‘ Square you’ll find the Vajdahunyad Castle which is in the City Park of Budapest. It’s a copy of different landmark buildings and therefore it displays different architectural styles like Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. Not going to lie I was feeling like in a Harry Potter movie while walking in front of the Castle. It is such a beautiful castle.
In the City Park you‘ll also see the Széchenyi-thermal bath which is one of the most famous ones in Hungary. It consists of three parts: the Spa area, the pool area and the day clinic.
The most beautiful church in the city should be the St. Stephan’s Basilica. It’s the biggest church in Budapest and since 1987 part of Unceso World Heritage.
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On the Pest side I‘m sure you’ll see this big building and want to know what it is. I can tell you. It’s the Dohány Street Synagogue which is the largest synagogue of Europe and the second largest in the World. It was built between 1854 and 1859 in the Moorish Revival style with decoration based on Islamic models from North Africa. It’s one of the most stunning buildings I’ve ever seen and it’s so big that you can’t even miss it.
Another attraction is definitely the Café New York. The architecture of the inside parts is magnificent. The Café was opened in 1894 and they renewed it from 2001 till 2006. You don’t want to miss this place believe me.
I’m sure there is much more to see in Budapest but I think these are the most famous and most important ones to see.
