a taste of the city
Hungarians have taken their food seriously for centuries, and there are some seriously respectable eateries in Budapest carrying on that tradition. The local culinary experience comes down to two fundamental elements: meat and spices. But don't just restrict yourself to the local fare; Budapest's gastronomic offerings are truly international, with a massive selection of award-winning restaurants, drawing from a world of influence.
Take in some high-class hospitality at Babel, a favorite among locals, including the designers at USE Unused. If you have someone to impress this is the place to do it, with a subtly-lit, intimate dining space. Each table has its own individual light and every part of the design, from the decor to the waiters uniforms, is cutting-edge. The menu borrows from a number of international influences, but you cant go past the traditional Hungarian cuisine for the full experience.
If you're feeling especially carnivorous, book yourself a table at Fatal. There may be some trepidation with the name, but it actually simply means wooden plate in Hungarian. So, what would you expect to find on your wooden plate in such a place? Meat. And heaps of it. Fatal serves up traditional meaty Hungarian dishes, like cabbage stuffed with minced meat and rice. Or, if you'd rather cast aside those carbs and greens, try one of the many giant slabs of meat but be prepared to sacrifice a belt notch.
Arguably, the pinnacle of dining in Budapest comes at the ever-popular Articsoka. With pricey drinks and classy dishes, this is where all the hot young things come to be seen. Even the staff are young and sexy at Articsoka, and they serve up a lot more than just food. In the summer you can catch all types of live entertainment from music to fashion shows, meaning youll probably hang around long after your dinner is digested.