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Modern HungarianVarkerulet
Pierrot on Fortuna utca, the first private cafe-restaurant in Budapest since 1982, sits in a 13th-century bakery in the Buda Castle, with modern Hungarian.
OrderThe seasonal Hungarian tasting menu with the Tokaji pairing.
TipWed to Sun 11:30-23:00; book the 13th-century garden seats for a slow Castle Hill evening.
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Modern HungarianVarkerulet
Halaszbastya Etterem occupies the neo-Romanesque Fisherman's Bastion on Castle Hill, with modern Hungarian tasting menus and panoramic Danube views over Pest.
OrderThe seasonal multi-course tasting at sunset for the Pest skyline view.
TipThree rooms in the bastion (Restaurant, Bistro, Cafe); book the Restaurant for the tasting and the terrace.
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Modern HungarianTerezvaros
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.
OrderThe Hortobagyi palacsinta, savoury crepes stuffed with veal stew under sour cream.
TipOpen 11:00-23:00 daily; the kitchen runs 11:30-22:30 and the terrace fills first.
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Mediterranean, HungarianTerezvaros
Ket Szerecsen on Nagymezo utca, Pest's Broadway theatre strip, is a two-floor bistro and cafe serving Mediterranean-Hungarian crossover plates from breakfast.
OrderThe Mediterranean breakfast plate with avocado, jamon and Hungarian sausage.
TipOpen 08:00-24:00 weekdays, 09:00-24:00 weekends; the upstairs balcony is the quieter room.
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Modern HungarianTerezvaros
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.
OrderThe full chef's tasting; the smoked carp tortellini is the signature.
TipBookings open 60 days ahead via SevenRooms; arrive on time, tables held only 20 minutes.
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Modern HungarianLipotvaros
Akos Sarkozi's Borkonyha behind St Stephen's Basilica on Sas utca holds one Michelin star and pours from a 200-bottle Hungarian wine list, downtown Budapest.
OrderThe mangalica pork belly with the matching pairing.
TipMon to Fri open from 18:00, Sat from 12:00, closed Sunday; book a Saturday lunch for daylight on the wine list.