Budapest’s Michelin-Starred Restaurants: Top Dining Spots

Budapest, a city steeped in history and culture, has seven Michelin-starred restaurants. These top restaurants define the city’s food scene, serving dishes that blend Hungarian heritage and international inspiration. If you love fine dining, these places will be an experience to remember.

This guide will take you through the best Michelin restaurants in Budapest and give you the inside scoop on what to expect.

Budapest’s 7 Michelin-Starred Restaurants (2025)

Budapest’s 7 Michelin-starred restaurants in 2025 are all unique. From innovative to traditional, each is a different experience. Whether you’re a foodie or a curious traveller, these are must-visits.

Babel Budapest

• Address: 1052 Budapest, Piarista köz 2
• Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 5:30 PM – 12 AM
• Price Range: Tasting menus from 32,000 HUF per person

Babel is located in the heart of Budapest and near the Elisabeth Bridge and offers an upscale dining experience with a modern take on Hungarian cuisine. Chef István Zsélyi combines modern techniques with Hungarian ingredients to create dishes that are as beautiful as they are delicious. The minimalist design of the restaurant, with soft lighting and open kitchen, is the perfect setting for a sophisticated and intimate experience.

Must-Try: Beef Tartare, rich beef with earthy herbs. A Hungarian classic reimagined in an elegant way.

Wine Pairing: The wine list is curated to match the seasonal menu, featuring the best Hungarian wines from top wineries.

Babel's cozy atmosphere allows you to enjoy each bite at your own pace, with exceptional service making it a personal experience. Each dish tells the story of Hungary’s culinary history, elevated by Chef Zsélyi’s creativity.

Borkonyha Winekitchen

• Address: 1051 Budapest, Sas u. 3
• Opening Hours: Monday – Friday, 6:00 PM–12:00 AM; Saturday, 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
• Price Range: Main courses from 5,000 HUF to 12,000 HUF, Tasting menus from 23,000 HUF

Borkonyha Winekitchen, a Michelin-starred restaurant, is all about the perfect balance of food and wine. Located in the city center, this cozy yet sophisticated restaurant lets you watch the chefs work in an open kitchen, which adds to the experience. The menu combines Hungarian and international flavors with locally sourced ingredients.

Must-Try: Slow-roasted Pork Belly with pickled vegetables. This dish shows the restaurant’s focus on seasonality, with a balance of rich and fresh.

Wine Pairing: Borkonyha has over 200 Hungarian wines, many of which are rare and not found outside the country. The wine pairing makes the experience even more exceptional.

The modern interior with its touches of elegance provides an intimate yet lively atmosphere. The friendly and knowledgeable staff makes this feel like a local hideaway, but with Michelin-level service. After your unforgettable dining experience at the restaurant, you can join a walking tour to get even more of your time in Hungary's capital.

Stand Restaurant

• Address: 1061 Budapest, Székely Mihály u. 2, across the street from the Hungarian State Opera
• Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM
• Price Range: Tasting menu from 40,000 HUF

Stand Restaurant is a modern Michelin-starred restaurant that serves the best of Hungarian cuisine. Chef Tamás Széll and his team create culinary masterpieces with local ingredients and international flavors and techniques. The contemporary design with minimalist decor and elegant ambiance is the perfect setting for a sophisticated dinner.

Must-Try: Duck Breast with Beetroot and Honey. This dish balances the richness of duck with the earthiness of beets, a delightful contrast of flavors.

Wine Pairing: The wine list features premium Hungarian wines, with a focus on wines from the Tokaj region, one of Hungary’s most famous wine regions. Stand’s tasting menus showcase the best of the restaurant’s dishes. The modern ambiance and culinary creations make it a top choice for sophisticated diners.

Essência Restaurant

• Address: 1051 Budapest, Sas u. 17, 2 min away from St. Stephen's Basilica
• Opening Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM (Lunch), 6:00 PM – 11:30 PM (Dinner),
• Price Range: Tasting menus from 30,000 HUF

Essência is a unique dining experience that combines traditional Hungarian ingredients with innovative techniques. The intimate setting and inventive dishes provide a personal experience. Chef Tiago and Éva focus on bold flavors and unique combinations so every meal is a celebration of the familiar and the unexpected.

Must-Try: Venison with Red Cabbage. This hearty dish pairs tender venison with tangy slaw, rich and fresh.

Wine Pairing: Essência pairs each course with Hungarian and Portuguese wines, so you can taste the best of both countries.

The intimate atmosphere at Essência feels like dining in a private club where every detail is tailored to create a memorable experience.

Salt Budapest

• Address: 1053 Budapest, Királyi Pál u. 4
• Opening Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• Price Range: Tasting menu from 26,000 HUF

Salt Budapest is a sustainable restaurant where you can enjoy Michelin-star quality while supporting eco-friendly practices. The restaurant uses seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create fresh and flavorful dishes. With a focus on sustainability the menu changes frequently to reflect the best ingredients available.

Must-Try: Sustainable Fish with Herb Foam. This dish highlights local fish, served with a delicate herb-infused foam that enhances the freshness of the fish.

Wine Pairing: Salt has biodynamic wines to match the restaurant’s eco-conscious philosophy.

The warm and cozy atmosphere at Salt is perfect for a relaxed yet high-quality meal after you visit to the Hungarian National Museum. The focus on sustainability doesn’t compromise the fine dining experience.

Rumour by Rácz Jenő

• Address: 1051 Budapest, Petőfi tér 3-5, a 5-minute walk from Vörösmarty Tér
• Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• Price Range: Tasting menu from 45,000 HUF

Rumour by Rácz Jenő is art meets gourmet cuisine, a theatrical dining experience like no other. The restaurant’s interior is the stage for a meal that’s as much about the show as the food. Chef Rácz Jenő’s menu plays with textures and flavors, an immersive experience that’s innovative and visually stunning.

Must-Try: Foie Gras with Apple Gel. This dish pairs rich foie gras with sweet apple, a playful and delightful contrast.

Wine Pairing: Hungarian natural wines to match the restaurant’s creative and bold dishes.

The design of Rumour is drama itself, so every meal feels like an exclusive show. The innovative cooking and flair make it a must-visit for anyone looking for a unique experience.

Costes Restaurant

• Address: 1092 Budapest, Ráday utca 4, within walking distance of the Central Market Hall
• Opening Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• Price Range: Tasting menus from 39,000 HUF

Costes is one of Budapest’s most famous Michelin-starred restaurants, offering refined yet relaxed dining. Modern European cuisine with fresh, seasonal ingredients in a classic and innovative menu. Chef Miguel Rocha Vieira’s dishes are a testament to his cooking skills, each one carefully crafted to impress.

Must-Try: Lobster with Saffron Risotto. This luxurious dish pairs sweet, tender lobster with creamy saffron risotto, a highlight at Costes.

Wine Pairing: World-class wines from Hungary, France and beyond. Costes has great service in a warm environment, so it’s the perfect place to have a Michelin-starred experience without the formality of fine dining.

How to Choose the Right Michelin-Starred Restaurant

Budapest’s Michelin-starred restaurants have gone global. These restaurants blend old and new, a unique culinary experience. Chefs respect Hungarian traditions and introduce modern techniques and international influences. The result is diverse and memorable meals.

With seven Michelin-starred restaurants to choose from, it’s hard to decide. Do you prefer an intimate atmosphere or a show? Do you want sustainability or local ingredients? Each restaurant is different. Think about the atmosphere, cuisine and your preferences. Many restaurants offer tasting menus to try a bit of everything.

Tips for Dining at Michelin-Starred Restaurants

Book in advance, especially on weekends. Dress smart-casual and be prepared for a long meal – tasting menus have multiple courses. Don’t hesitate to ask the staff for dish explanations or wine pairing recommendations.

Are Michelin-Star Restaurants Worth It?

It’s expensive, but these Michelin-starred experiences are more than food. The atmosphere, service and creativity make these restaurants special even more if you plan to visit one of the spots after a Danube cruise. While Budapest has great food at all price points, Michelin dining is on a different level of quality and attention to detail. If you’re celebrating or just treating yourself, a Michelin-starred restaurant is worth it.

Budapest’s Michelin-starred restaurants are the best of fine dining. Whether you want innovative flavours, sustainable dining or a show, these restaurants have something for everyone. Make sure to try them out on your next visit to Budapest.