Why Budapest Is Europe’s Hidden Gem for Plant-Based Food and Culture

Budapest, Hungary is a city of two halves. There’s Buda, which sits on the west side of the winding Danube River. The scenic landscape feels like a fairytale, helped by the presence of Buda Castle, a real-life Baroque-style palace. 

Then there’s Pest, which is the place to go if you want more of an urban vibe. It’s home to some of the city’s best bars, but it’s also steeped in history. Shoes line the riverside in Pest as a memorial to the Jewish population who lost their lives during the Second World War, and there are also moving tributes to the victims of the 1950s Hungarian Revolution. And when you need to wind down, there are the city’s famous spas, too.

It’s no surprise that Budapest’s tourist numbers are growing. In 2024, Hungary as a whole welcomed more than 44 million visitors, per the country’s Central Statistical Office, and the number of overnight stays in Budapest rose by 20 percent.

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This Hungarian city keeps its swathes of visitors on their toes. Its scenic views, long, picturesque rivers, memorials, museums, bars, and historical sights are enough to occupy tourists for well beyond a long weekend. And on both sides of the Danube, you’ll find great restaurants, too, serving everything from traditional Hungarian cuisine to burgers, pizzas, kebabs, Thai food, and much more. 

Want to learn more about Budapest’s culinary scene? Find some of our top picks for the best plant-based food in Budapest below.

What is traditional Budapest food?

In Budapest and across Hungary, goulash is a common find. This hearty stew has been eaten across the country since medieval times. Traditionally, it’s made with onions, spices (like Hungarian paprika), herbs, and lots of beef. But if you’re looking for an equally hearty version without the meat, stop by Goulash & Langosh Bar in Pest, where you can find vegan and vegetarian goulash, each prepared according to a century-old recipe.

Lángos, a type of fried dough usually served with sour cream and cheese, is another staple in Budapest. It’s nearly impossible to walk anywhere in the city without seeing signs for this Hungarian classic. It’s typically sold as a street food across the city (but if you don’t want to pay a premium, avoid indulging in this fried treat near the tourist hotspots). For vegan lángos, one of the best options is Retro Lángos, located in the Pest region of the city. Alongside classics laden with meat and dairy, the eatery offers two vegan options: Vegan Cheese and Sour Cream and Vegan With Vegetables.

Retro Lángos

For more plant-based takes on traditional Hungarian food in Budapest, consider stopping by Vegacity. The menu is constantly changing, but in the past, the menu has included local classics like hearty stews and plant-based brassoi (Hungarian braised pork).

Where to eat in Budapest

Keep reading for more recommendations on the best plant-based food in Budapest.

Goli Restaurant

1 Goli

If you’re searching for the most “likeable” restaurant in Budapest, then Goli won’t disappoint, and it has the credentials to prove it. In 2024, it was voted as Dining Guide’s most likable restaurant. In the same year, it received the coveted Bib Gourmand award from Michelin, with the guide calling it “gloriously friendly” with “fresh, tasty food.” Here, you can expect to indulge in a Middle Eastern feast. Standout plant-based options include pickled black garlic with burnt bell peppers, yellow zucchini on a stick, and caesar salad made with soy milk.
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Vegan Garden Budapest

2 Vegan Garden Budapest

For a vegan-only spot that will please everyone, regardless of dietary preferences, head to Vegan Garden Budapest. Located in the heart of the city, this restaurant offers an array of modernized Hungarian classics, like spiced cottage cheese and bean goulash, alongside Mediterranean crowd-pleasers, like cashew hummus and melon carpaccio.
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Epoch Vegan Burger

3 Epoch Vegan Burger

Sometimes, only a burger will do. When that craving strikes, one of the best places to find yourself is Epoch Vegan Burger, the first plant-based burger joint in Budapest. Choose from a range of options like the BBQ Vegan Burger, loaded with crispy onions, pickles, and BBQ sauce, or the Vegan Caesar Burger, which features tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, cucumbers, red onions, almond sauce, and a vegetable patty sandwiched in a crispy homemade bun.
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Flow Coffee

4 Flow Coffee

A hearty breakfast is a must ahead of a jam-packed sightseeing day in Budapest. Stop by Flow Coffee first thing for its signature Flow Vegan Omelette with tomato cream and coffee vinaigrette, or maybe its own version of eggs Benedict, which features vegan eggs, brioche, vegan ham, and a lemon hollandaise sauce.
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Hummus Bar

5 Hummus Bar

Wherever you are in Budapest, you’re probably not that far from a Hummus Bar, because this Mediterranean chain has 13 locations throughout the city. It’s ideal for a quick lunch in between sights, with plenty of plant-based options on the menu, including nourishing hummus bowls loaded with mushrooms, chickpeas, olives, and falafel.
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Padthai Wokbar

6 Padthai Wokbar

This popular noodle spot offers a delicious fusion of Asian cuisines with plenty of plant-based choices. For a vegan dish, opt for the vegetable base in place of noodles or rice, as the latter two contain egg. Top your base with a plant-based option, like tofu or shiitake mushrooms, and then round off the meal with Chinese sweet and sour sauce or teriyaki. 
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Best Bagel Basilica

7 Best Bagel Basilica

Bagel fans, this one is for you. The extensive menu at Best Bagel Basilica—which, as the name has already given away, is located right next to the Budapest landmark St. Stephen’s Basilica—includes the Brutal Vegan Best Bagel. It’s packed with vegan cream cheese, feta, tomatoes, salad, and red mayonnaise, and is the perfect accompaniment to a lunchtime spent taking in the history of the city.
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