The food was a grisly and heavy anachronism, served by waiters with no motivation and eaten in surroundings built and decorated by huge catering combines. Nowadays, the growth of disposable income and competition, plus greater openness to outside influences, means anyone can eat well in the city if they try. Sure, you will still encounter places where standards aren't high and service is poor, but with the help of this chapter you should also find many memorable venues. You'll also find that eating out in Budapest is far more affordable than in most European capitals. We've broken down the listings in this chapter by both price and cuisine type.
Prices given are the average for a starter and a main course for one person.
These should be treated as guidelines rather than gospel. It's often possible to eat cheaply even in quite pricey Hungarian restaurants. Although it's easy to find something to eat in the small hours, most places wind down before midnight. Not long ago, a group of young restaurateurs decided to start a faux-medieval eatery. Descending a few steps to the cellar, you are welcomed by old guns, armor, and pretty girls clad in Renaissance-style costumes.