Getto Gulyas on Wesselenyi in the Jewish Quarter cooks 14 varieties of Hungarian stews and goulashes alongside Jewish-Hungarian classics, Budapest.
Signature dishes: Beef goulash, Rooster pörkölt
Must order: The rooster pörkölt with nokedli; the Jewish egg paste as a starter.
Tip: Tiny room, no walk-ins after 19:00; reserve a day ahead.
Address: Wesselényi utca 18, 1077 Budapest
Kispiac Bisztro next to the Hold utca market in the 5th district is a six-table Hungarian room cooking veal liver, pork belly and roast duck right by the open kitchen, Budapest.
Signature: Breaded veal liver, Pork belly
Order: The breaded veal liver with mashed potato and cucumber salad.
Tip: Six tables, lunch Mon to Sat noon to 22:00; book at least two days ahead.
Zona on Lanchid utca is a modern Hungarian bistro on the Buda side of the Chain Bridge, with river views from the upstairs room and a 200-bottle Hungarian wine list, Budapest.
Signature: Mangalica tenderloin, Tasting menu
Order: The mangalica tenderloin with foie gras butter.
Tip: Daily 12:00 to 23:00; the upstairs tables face the Danube and Parliament across the river.
Halaszbastya Etterem occupies the neo-Romanesque Fisherman's Bastion on Castle Hill, with modern Hungarian tasting menus and panoramic Danube views over Pest in Budapest.
Signature: Hungarian tasting, Goose liver
Order: The seasonal multi-course tasting at sunset for the Pest skyline view.
Tip: Three rooms in the bastion (Restaurant, Bistro, Cafe); book the Restaurant for the tasting and the terrace.
Menza on Liszt Ferenc ter is a retro-70s Budapest bistro just off Andrassy boulevard, cooking modern takes on the Hungarian canteen canon at a steady boulevard pace.
Signature: Hortobágyi palacsinta, Túrós csusza
Order: The Hortobagyi palacsinta, savoury crepes stuffed with veal stew under sour cream.
Tip: Open 11:00 to 23:00 daily; the kitchen runs 11:30 to 22:30 and the terrace fills first.
Ket Szerecsen on Nagymezo utca, Pest's Broadway theatre strip, is a two-floor bistro and cafe serving Mediterranean-Hungarian crossover plates from breakfast to midnight, Budapest.
Signature: Mediterranean breakfast, Mangalica pork
Order: The Mediterranean breakfast plate with avocado, jamon and Hungarian sausage.
Tip: Open 08:00 to 24:00 weekdays, 09:00 to 24:00 weekends; the upstairs balcony is the quieter room.
Szabina Szullo and Tamas Szell's Stand cooks two-Michelin-star modern Hungarian tasting menus from a Terezvaros room near Andrassy and Liszt Ferenc ter, Budapest.
Signature: Paprika fish soup with smoked carp tortellini, Tasting menu
Order: The full chef's tasting; the smoked carp tortellini is the signature.
Tip: Bookings open 60 days ahead via SevenRooms; arrive on time, tables held only 20 minutes.
