$$$$
Mediterranean, HungarianTerezvaros
Ket Szerecsen on Nagymezo's theatre strip is a two-floor Mediterranean-Hungarian bistro and cafe serving from breakfast to midnight in Pest, Budapest.
OrderThe Mediterranean breakfast plate with avocado and Hungarian sausage.
TipOpen 08:00-24:00 weekdays, 09:00-24:00 weekends; the upstairs balcony is the quieter room.
$$$$
HungarianErzsebetvaros
Koleves Vendeglo on Kazinczy in an old kosher meat plant cooks affordable Hungarian and Jewish-Hungarian lunch menus, with a summer garden across the road.
OrderThe weekday lunch deal: soup, main and dessert in the kosher-meat-plant room.
TipLunch menu Mon to Fri until 16:00; the summer garden across the road is the better seat.
$$$$
HungarianTerezvaros
Frici Papa on Kiraly utca has poured the cheapest sit-down Hungarian lunch in Budapest since 1997, with shared tables, no menu cards and a daily blackboard.
OrderThe daily lunch menu under 3,000 Ft with the day's soup and main.
TipCash preferred, no reservations; shared tables and quick turnover, no English menu.
$$$$
Modern HungarianErzsebetvaros
Klassz on Andrassy ut sits on the boulevard near the Opera, a chef-driven Hungarian carte run by Bortarsasag with the city's deepest sommelier-led wine list.
OrderMangalica pork with a glass of Hungarian Furmint from the sommelier's list.
TipReservations not accepted; arrive 11:30 or after 21:00 to avoid the wait.
$$$$
Mediterranean, IsraeliErzsebetvaros
Mazel Tov on Akacfa in the Jewish Quarter is a Mediterranean ruin garden in an early 1900s courtyard, with mezze, shawarma and live klezmer most nights.
OrderThe mezze plate to share, then the lamb shawarma.
TipOpen noon to midnight daily; book a week ahead for weekends.
$$$$
Modern HungarianUjbuda
Szatyor on Bartok Bela ut in Ujbuda shares a building with Hadik Kavehaz, an eclectic art-bar dining room with Hungarian and Mediterranean small plates.
OrderThe mixed small-plate selection with a glass of Hungarian dry Furmint.
TipNext door to the historic Hadik Kavehaz; ask for the gallery room with the rotating local artist shows.