5 Top Cheap Eats In Downtown Budapest

  • 4 Feb 2019 11:35 AM
5 Top Cheap Eats In Downtown Budapest
None of this bunch pretend to be fine dining establishments, some are little more than food stands - serving a range of rapid fire options from great steaks, soups and sandwiches, to hot-dogs, burgers and pizza - yet they all offer far more flavour for your forint than many way more expensive eateries nearby in the heart of Hungary’s capital.

As we all know every mouthful of a speedy snack has to be truly delicious, and each of the following five inexpensive options deliver a powerful flavour punch. Also fast food doesn't have to be unhealthy as most of the top tips below show. 

Meatology

This place is perfect if a meat feast that doesn't break the bank is your thing. Stu Rix from North Yorks in the UK visited recently and his feedback says it all,

“The pork belly sandwich is amazing. Prices are incredibly cheap especially considering the location outside the back of St Stephens Basilica. Service was very quick too. Can't fault this place at all really.”

Go for: the 600g steak with green pepper sauce
Go to: Bajcsy-Zsilinszky utca 15/B, Budapest 1065


Bors GasztroBar



Not a restaurant as such, but so much more than a soup and sandwich stand due to the outstanding quality/value ratio, the creative menu always offering something new, and service with just the right attitude.

Ideal for a cheeky cheap bite if you’re on the go in the Jewish Quarter. Connor, who’s based in Bangkok - the ‘street food capital of the world’ - claimed at the start of this month that Budapest's Bors serves “The best soup in the world!”.

Go for: gluten-free options if you need
Go to: Kazinczy utca 10., Budapest 1075


Local Korner



This trendy venue takes cheapo pizza to another level, as you can create your own from list of great ingredients, of course with a little help from the friendly staff who speak great English.

Despite its popularity the prices remain low, while the overall experience is both tasty and comforting given the cosy interior. Pizzas come in two size, 32 and 45 inches, depending on how hungry you are, or if you’re sharing with a friend, in any case you’ll leave feeling truly satisfied.

Go for: take-away at midday when you need a treat but have to eat at your desk
Go to: Szondi utca 19/A, Budapest 1067


Lucky 7 Burgers


“This is a hidden gem in a central part of Budapest. Food was awesome and definitely value for money,” raves Ladon Low from Canberra, Australia. Arshag from Milan gives this place the thumbs from a service point of view, recently kindly writing,

“The place is very nice and the food is great, but the real deal is the customer care... The owner Micky, a very pleasant person, serves food together with his staff and they are all extremely polite and attentive to details.”

Go for: brilliant burgers served with fantastic service
Go to: Piarista utca 1., Budapest 1052


TöLTő


Not your everyday hotdog joint, here they offer all sorts of toppings that you’d probably never imagine would work, but prepare to be surprised, they do, usually! The sausages themselves are all top notch, take for example the wild boar variety, add your choice of extra’s, and savour the dogeliciousness!

The chilli pork option is also a winner, and overall it’s a fun venue for a cheap and cheerful lunch, as Matthew V agrees in his feedback posted a couple of weeks ago: “This sausage took me to places I haven't been in quite some time. Absolutely brilliant. Service was quick, the server was lovely. Sausage was thick, well cooked and went down a treat. 10/10.”

Go for: gourmet sausages & hipster hotdogs
Go to: Wesselenyi utca 31., Budapest 1077


By @expatsintheloop
Photos courtesy of the venues
Supporting quotes from TripAdvisor

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