Modern HungarianChef Kornél Kaszás$$$$65,000 to 95,000 FtlipotvarosTue-Sat 17:30-00:00Book 3 to 4 weeks ahead
Babel in Lipotvaros, near Vaci utca and the Basilica, cooks Austro-Hungarian fine dining with Transylvanian roots over 8 and 13-course tasting menus.
Order: The 13-course tasting; the smoked sturgeon course is the room's calling card.
Tip: Ask for a counter seat by the kitchen pass; the room runs Wednesday to Saturday only.
International Fine DiningChef Jenő Rácz (patron chef)$$$$65,000 to 85,000 FtferencvarosWed-Fri 18:00-23:00; Sat-Sun 12:00-15:00, 18:00-23:00Book 3 weeks ahead
Costes on Raday utca was Hungary's first Michelin-starred restaurant in 2010 and still cooks a refined seven-course tasting in a Ferencvaros townhouse off.
Order: The seven-course tasting menu with the wine pairing; the butter, preserves and ham are made on the premises.
Tip: Costes Downtown is the sister kitchen in Lipotvaros; the original on Raday is the slower, longer evening.
Modern EuropeanChef Márk Molnár$$$$50,000 to 75,000 FtlipotvarosMon-Sun 12:00-15:00, 18:00-23:00Book 2 to 3 weeks ahead
Costes Downtown sits in the Michelin Guide on the ground floor of the Prestige Hotel near Parliament, the sister kitchen to Costes Raday in a calmer.
Order: The full tasting menu with a glass of Tokaji Furmint as the opener.
Tip: Lunch service is the value play; the room is open Tuesday to Saturday and the Sunday brunch books out a week ahead.
Modern HungarianChef Szilárd Tóth$$$$74,500 Ft per personlipotvarosWed-Fri 18:00-23:00; Sat 12:00-15:00, 18:00-23:00Book 3 to 4 weeks ahead
Chef Szilard Toth's Salt Budapest holds one Michelin star in a quiet downtown room on Kiralyi Pal, cooking 15-course tastings around fermentation.
Order: The 15-course dinner tasting with the 36,000 Ft local wine pairing.
Tip: Counter seats face the open kitchen; the optional pairing leans into Hungarian Furmint and Kekfrankos.
Modern HungarianChef Jenő Rácz$$$$60,000 to 85,000 FtlipotvarosTue-Sat 17:00-23:00Book 3 weeks ahead
Jeno Racz's Rumour is a 21-seat counter restaurant on Petofi ter where an eleven-course menu mixes Hungarian roots with Asian and European influences.
Order: The eleven-course tasting at the counter; the venison course is the chef's signature.
Tip: The room is hidden behind an unmarked door; arrive at the address ten minutes early so the host can collect you.
Modern HungarianChef Akos Sarkozi$$$35,000 to 55,000 FtlipotvarosMon-Fri 18:00-00:00; Sat 12:00-00:00Book 2 weeks ahead
Akos Sarkozi's Borkonyha Winekitchen behind St Stephen's Basilica on Sas utca holds one Michelin star and serves modern Hungarian plates built around 200.
Order: The mangalica pork belly with the matching pairing from the wine list.
Tip: The kitchen runs Monday to Saturday and closes Sundays and public holidays; book a Saturday lunch for the relaxed pace.