Modern Hungarian$$erzsebetvarosMon-Sat 11:30-23:00
Klassz on Andrassy ut in Budapest's Erzsebetvaros runs a modern Hungarian carte around mangalica pork and foie gras, paired with the country's deepest.
Signature: Mangalica pork plates, Foie gras course
Order: Mangalica pork with a glass of Hungarian Furmint from the sommelier's list.
Tip: Reservations not accepted; arrive 11:30 or after 21:00 to avoid the wait.
Mediterranean, Israeli$$erzsebetvarosMon-Thu 12:00-23:00; Fri-Sun 12:00-00:00
Mazel Tov on Akacfa utca in the Jewish Quarter is a Mediterranean ruin garden in an early 1900s courtyard, with mezze, lamb shawarma and live klezmer most.
Signature: Mezze plate, Lamb shawarma
Order: The mezze plate to share, then the lamb shawarma.
Tip: Open noon to midnight daily; book a week ahead for weekends.
Traditional Hungarian$$lipotvarosMon-Sun 12:00-14:30, 18:00-22:00
Hungarikum Bisztro on Steindl Imre near Parliament cooks the canonical Hungarian classics, with gulyás, chicken paprikash and stuffed cabbage in a tiny.
Signature: Gulyás soup, Chicken paprikash
Order: The chicken paprikash with house nokedli and cucumber salad.
Tip: Online reservation only; the room is small and books out for both lunch and dinner.
Traditional Hungarian$$erzsebetvarosMon-Tue 12:00-22:30; Wed 12:00-23:00; Thu-Fri 12:00-23:45
Getto Gulyas on Wesselenyi in the Jewish Quarter cooks 14 varieties of Hungarian stews and goulashes alongside Jewish-Hungarian classics, Budapest.
Signature: Beef goulash, Rooster pörkölt
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 Booking recommended for weekends.
Traditional Hungarian$$lipotvarosTue-Sat 12:00-22:00
Kispiac Bisztro next to the Hold utca market in the 5th district is a six-table Hungarian room cooking veal liver, pork belly and roast duck right.
Signature: Breaded veal liver, Pork belly
Order: The breaded veal liver with mashed potato and cucumber salad.
Tip: Six tables, lunch Mon to Sat noon to 22:00; book at least two days ahead.
Modern Hungarian$$$varkeruletWed-Sun 11:30-23:00
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.
Signature: Hungarian tasting menu, Foie gras
Order: The seasonal Hungarian tasting menu with the Tokaji pairing.
Tip: Wed to Sun 11:30-23:00; book the 13th-century garden seats for a slow Castle Hill evening.