01Gulyás
Great PlainBeef, potato and paprika — rich, hearty, deeply savoury. The national dish. Always a soup, never a stew.
Try at: Menza Budapest or any Puszta csárda
Eat Hungary
From Goulash to Tokaji
Hungarian food is one of Europe's great culinary secrets — paprika, pork fat, freshwater fish, pastry traditions stretching back to Vienna, and wine regions that predate most of France's appellations. It rewards the curious eater at every turn.
Plan Your Trip
Book a Food Experience in Hungary
From market tours to cooking classes and wine tastings — book directly through GetYourGuide.
Must-Try Dishes01 
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12 Dishes You Must Try
0102Lángos
NationwideDeep-fried dough with sour cream and grated cheese. Greasy, golden, perfect street food.
Try at: Great Market Hall or any Balaton beach stall
03Halászlé
Danube & TiszaFiery hot paprika fish soup with carp and catfish. Blazing red, intensely spiced.
Try at: Paksi Halászcsárda or along the Tisza river
04Paprikás Csirke
NationwideTender chicken in thick sour cream and sweet paprika sauce with nokedli dumplings.
Try at: Rosenstein or Kispipa, Budapest
05Töltött Káposzta
NationwideSauerkraut stuffed with pork mince and rice, slow-cooked in tomato and sour cream.
Try at: Traditional étterem daily specials
06Kürtőskalács
Street FoodSpit-roasted pastry coated in sugar — cinnamon, walnut, vanilla. Eat it still warm.
Try at: Vörösmarty Square or Christmas markets
07Dobos Torte
BudapestFive layers of sponge with chocolate buttercream, topped with caramel. A Habsburg-era creation.
Try at: Gerbeaud or Ruszwurm, Castle Hill
08Pörkölt
NationwideLike goulash but thicker — pork, beef or game with onions and paprika.
Try at: Traditional étterem menus everywhere
09Lecsó
Late SummerRich pepper and tomato stew — Hungary's answer to ratatouille, often with eggs or sausage.
Try at: Any family restaurant, August to September
10Hortobágyi Palacsinta
Great PlainThin crepes filled with veal ragout, covered in paprika sour cream sauce.
Try at: Hortobágy region or Budapest traditional restaurants
11Túrógombóc
NationwideSoft curd cheese dumplings rolled in toasted breadcrumbs, served with sour cream.
Try at: Traditional restaurants or home kitchens
12Mangalica Pork
Great PlainHeritage woolly pig — extraordinarily marbled, prized by top chefs.
Try at: Bock Bisztró, Onyx Budapest, or farmers' markets
Wine Guide
Hungarian Wine Regions
Hungary has 22 official wine regions and a wine history over 1000 years old. Largely cut off from Western wine culture during the Communist era — which is why it remains so thrillingly undiscovered. Prices are a fraction of comparable French or Italian wines.
Tokaj Wine Region
North-East Hungary · UNESCO HeritageHome to Aszú — the botrytis sweet wine once called 'wine of kings, king of wines'. Furmint is the star grape.
Grapes: Furmint · Hárslevelű · Aszú
Top names: Disznókő · Royal Tokaj · Oremus
Eger Region
Northern HungaryKnown for Egri Bikavér (Bull's Blood) — a robust red blend. Best visited at the Valley of Beautiful Women cave cellars.
Grapes: Kékfrankos · Bikavér · Csillag
Top names: Cave cellars at Szépasszony-völgy
Villány Region
Southern HungaryPremium red wine country — the warmest, most Mediterranean region. Full-bodied reds comparable to Bordeaux at a fraction of the price.
Grapes: Cabernet Franc · Merlot · Portugieser
Top names: Bock · Gere · Tiffán
Badacsony
Lake Balaton · VolcanicMineral-textured whites with volcanic character. Open June to September.
Grapes: Olaszrizling · Szürkebarát
Top names: Szeremley · Laposa
Markets and Experiences
Experience Experience Experience
Where to Eat and Explore
Featured Market
Budapest Great Market Hall
Fővám tér, Budapest IX.
Mon 6am–5pm · Tue–Fri 6am–6pm · Sat 6am–3pm. Free entry.
- • Ground floor: fresh produce, meat, fish, cheese.
- • First floor: paprika stalls, folk embroidery, lace, ceramics.
- • First floor lángos stand for a proper local lunch.
Buy: Pick salami · Erős Pista paprika paste · acacia honey.
Cooking Class
With a local chef in Budapest — 4 hour class with market visit.
from €75 per person
Wine & Food Pairing
Borkonyha restaurant sommelier dinner — 5 courses paired with Hungarian wines.
from €85 per person
Street Food Tour
Taste Hungary 3-hour walking food tours — daily departures.
from €45 per person
Food and Wine CalendarJanuary–February May August Late September Nov – December Year Round
Festivals and Events
Pálinka & Sausage Festival
Traditional Hungarian spirits and smoked meats. Budapest, Városháza Park.
Budapest Gourmet Festival
Top chefs, wine producers and street food in Városliget City Park.
Wine Weeks (Borünnep)
200+ Hungarian wine producers on the Buda Castle terrace.
Tokaj Harvest Days
Cellar openings, folk music, aszú tastings. Best time to be in Tokaj.
Budapest Christmas Markets
Vörösmarty Square main market. Kürtőskalács, mulled wine, folk crafts until December 26.
Regional Farmers' Markets
Every major town has a weekly market. Best: Budapest Hold Street, Miskolc, Eger Saturday market.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national dish of Hungary?
Gulyás — a rich beef and paprika soup, always a soup never a stew.
What wine is Hungary famous for?
Tokaji Aszú — the legendary sweet wine once called the wine of kings. Hungary has 22 official wine regions.
What is a lángos?
Deep-fried dough topped with sour cream and cheese — Hungary's favourite street food.
Where is the best place to eat in Budapest?
The Great Market Hall for traditional food, District VII for trendy restaurants, and Gozsdu Udvar for street food.