Mercure's travel guides

It's not only goulash in Budapest's restaurants, although this thick soup of beef and potato is commonly found. Along with heavy traditional Hungarian dishes – pork stew, goose liver and paprika chicken, often served with sour cream – are fruit soups, pastas and freshwater fish dishes such as trout with almonds. You'll need to eat something substantial in order to soak up the full-bodied Hungarian wines, if not Egri Bikavér ("Bull's Blood") then Villány-Siklós, or sweet Tokaji Aszú dessert wine. For dessert, forget the diet: feast on strudels, dumplings, pancakes and a specialty known as "gesztenyepüré" – mashed chestnuts with whipped cream.

Gerlóczy Cafe & Restaurant

Gerlóczy utca 1, Budapest, 1052
1-501-4000
http://www.gerloczy.hu

Description:

This restaurant can be found in historical downtown Pest, occupying a building erected in 1892. Offering a hearty selection of international, Hungarian and Mediterranean cuisine, Gerlóczy is a popular meeting place, particularly in the mornings and at lunchtimes. The interior incorporates an elegant European style, with sleek furniture and an unhurried atmosphere. It's not for nothing that Budapest is often referred to as the 'Paris of the East' – venues like this perfectly capture the distinct French vibe crackling in the city.
Daily 7am-11pm
Visa, MasterCard, American Express

Kőleves

Kazincy utca 35. Dob utca 26 corner, Budapest, 1075
1-322-1011 - http://www.koleves.com

Description:

A charming, unpretentious restaurant in the heart of the Jewish quarter, close to Astoria and Deák Ferenc tér. Popular with local city dwellers, the venue spreads across two floors, with live music and exhibitions offered in the cavernous basement. As such, it's a great place to spend an entire evening, sampling some of the hearty Hungarian-Jewish cuisine (such as grilled sheep's cheese and chicken dishes) before moving downstairs to show support for local musicians. The meals are large and well-priced, and the service friendly.
Daily Noon-2am
Visa, MasterCard, American Express

Robinson

Városligeti tó, Budapest, 1146
1-422-0222 - http://www.robinsonrestaurant.hu

Description:

Városliget — 'City Park' in English — contains a large lake, and on one of the lake's small islands is Robinson Restaurant. Its setting enhances its romantic atmosphere, creating a perfect venue for a date with a loved one. The menu is eclectic, ranging from traditional Hungarian food to exotic Asian dishes, and children are also well catered for; even vegetarians will find something for their taste-buds. An open-air terrace creates a Mediterranean touch in the summer, and there's often live Latin music, creating an energetic atmosphere.
Daily Noon-5pm, 6pm-Midnight
Visa, MasterCard