If you're planning a trip to Budapest, let me save you some time Googling. I just got back from three full days in the Hungarian capital and I came armed with a fork, a stretchy waistband and zero plans to eat boring food.
I stayed with a friend, so that definitely helped budget-wise, but even if you’re not crashing on someone’s couch, Budapest isn’t wildly expensive. Especially compared to Western Europe. And if you’re vegan? Surprisingly easy. The scene is creative, accessible and genuinely delicious.
And I did not leave disappointed.
Here’s where I ate, what I loved, what I’d skip and a few bites of unsolicited wisdom.
Also sorry beforehand for the scrolling. I (and my personal photographer who shall be unnamed) took only vertical pictures. Get that scrolling finger working!
Quick note before we get into the food yes, Hungary is a bit complicated politically right now. While I don’t align with a lot of what’s going on at the national level, I do believe in connecting through culture, food and people. This trip was about exactly that: small moments, great meals and kind strangers in a beautiful city.
FLOW
First stop: FLOW. A place that looks like a Scandinavian Pinterest board and smells like your barista boyfriend’s hoodie. Great coffee (obviously), but the real reason you need to go is their vegan Eggs Benedict.
Yes. You read that right. Poached "eggs", brioche, lemony hollandaise. I nearly cried into my oat latte. It’s the kind of breakfast that makes you cancel your lunch plans. Go early, it gets busy because apparently everyone else also found out it exists.
LUI
I stumbled on LUI and was very smug about it. Tiny, warm and with some of the best coffee I had in Budapest (and I drank a lot).
Bonus: they do vegan cookies. Actual good ones. Not the dry, fall-apart kind that taste like a broken promise. And the barista had a septum. Not to be stereotypical about it, but every barista on earth that had a septum makes thé best coffee. Just saying.
Vegan Garden
Now, if you’re after Hungarian food without the meat sweats, Vegan Garden is your spot. I had the vegan paprikash and it was rich, hearty and exactly what I wanted after a day of wandering around looking at buildings and pretending I knew things about architecture.
They do vegan goulash too. No notes.
Hummus Bar
There are a few Hummus Bars scattered around the city all of them reliable. Think fresh falafel, warm fluffy laffa and creamy hummus that could make you reconsider your life choices if you’ve ever bought a supermarket tub.
Is it life-changing? No. But it’s affordable, delicious, and it hits every single time.
GOLI
Now this place is a vibe. GOLI is classy without being snobby. Open kitchen. Industrial chic. Loads of vegan options and they’re not just afterthoughts. The food here is seriously good, especially if you like bold spices, clever plating, and the kind of dishes that make you pause mid-bite to say “wait… what is this?!” (in a good way).
Make a reservation. Trust me.
MADAL Cafe
If you're a coffee nerd or pastry person (or both, my condolences), MADAL Cafe is a dream. The latte was addictive and the vegan pastries? Some of the best I’ve ever had. One bite of the snickers cheesecake and I considered applying for Hungarian citizenship.
Also a great spot to people-watch and recharge your phone.
Vegazzi
Vegan pizza can be hit or miss. Vegazzi absolutely nails it. Thin, crispy crust. Creative toppings that don’t feel like someone just emptied a salad bar onto a dough. I had one with minted green pea cream and roasted sprouts. I know how that sounds, but it slapped. And the left one (right below) was a caramelized onion, apple & vegan feta pizza. I mean c’mon.
I would fly back to Budapest just for another slice. Not joking.
And One Miss…
I did try a place where they had something like vegan lángos (a traditional Hungarian fried bread), but honestly? It felt like a sad, unbaked pizza. Maybe I caught it on an off day. Maybe it’s someone’s favorite. But for me, it was a one-and-done situation.
And don’t skip the baths. You’ll feel like a very warm, slightly confused Roman emperor. Totally worth it. I was marinating in those ancient thermal pools like a dumpling. One of the baths was around 40 degrees Celsius, maybe hotter? They’re supposedly healing, the ones we went to were literally next to a hospital. Not sure if that’s true, but I love the idea of it.
Budapest is... layered. In the best way. It has that old-European charm, crumbling facades, grand staircases, bathhouses that smell like ancient eucalyptus. But it’s also full of energy. I didn’t expect it to feel so alive.
The vegan scene surprised me in the best way: not just checkbox items or boring curries, but thoughtful, creative food. Food that actually tastes like someone cared. The cafés are dreamy, the people kind and the city gives you the feeling you’re walking through history while still being a little bit cool.
Now, that’s it for the recap of my little trip. Ofcourse a newsletter wouldn’t be complete without some new recipes. I mean that’s probably the whole reason you are subscribed. It’s gonna be a GREAT one that y’all being going crazy about in the DM’s when I posted it in my story. Enjoy!
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