Top five places to enjoy vegan food in Budapest, Hungary


My husband and I love travelling. It is the biggest passion we share and we cannot imagine our lives without it. Living in Europe gives you a unique opportunity to just jump on a plane and in a matter of an hour or two you are in a different country. We enjoy these weekend trips a lot and on average we embark on one every month. Budapest has been on my husband’s bucket list for some time. My family and I have been there before as my parents chose it for their 25th wedding anniversary trip. On one rainy afternoon in August in 2018, I came across an amazing flight deal to the Hungarian capital. The decision was quick. An hour later we booked both plane tickets and a little apartment in the city centre for a weekend away in November.

And so another travel adventure began…

Danube River, Budapest
With its scenic setting on the two sides of the Danube River, blend of old and modern architecture and rich cultural scene, many describe Budapest as the ‘Paris of the East’.
Traditional Hungarian food is sweet paprika-spicy, rich and hearty. It is dominated by stews, soups and pancakes, mostly meat-based. However, the recent explosion of fresh and flavoursome vegan food has added another dimension to this central European cuisine.
My travel research is never limited to just most recommended places to see and visit. In fact, the food research is what I enjoy most. I start with the Happy Cow directory of vegan restaurants, browse through reviews on the TripAdvisor and finally read blog posts of fellow vegan travellers. What I am always keen to find are these little slightly undiscovered gem cafes and restaurants, as well as places that have gone ‘an extra mile’ to turn traditional dishes (often containing animal products) to 100% plant-based ones.

Prior to even leaving the UK, I had a feeling that Budapest will surprise me. And it certainly did. 10 years after my first visit to Hungary, I was amazed to see how much Budapest has changed, both in terms of tourist infrastructure, but also restaurant scene. Everywhere we went we were passing by places that were either 100% vegan or were advertising special menus for people who opt in for cruelty-free food. We quickly realised that three days will not be enough to try all of these amazingly-looking dishes, but we certainly made the most of our visit.
Here I would like to present you my top five places to enjoy vegan food in the vibrant city of Budapest.

Las Vegans
Karaván udvar: Kazinczy utca 18, 1073 Budapest
Allee Street Food: Váli utca 6, 1113 Budapest
Rácskert: Dob utca 40, 1073 Budapest

Currently located in 3 locations around Budapest, Las Vegans serves delicious plant-based burgers, crispy fries and fresh smoothies. The selection includes Forest (with a mushroom patty), Indian Chickpea, Coated (with vegan fried cheese), Carrot, Seitan and Thai Burger. Served with internationally flavoured sauces and toppings, such as curry sauce, onion jam, pineapple salsa or peanut sauce, they truly are a delicious explosion in your mouth. The smoothies are packed with vitamins and other nutrients, providing a refreshing end to what may be considered a ‘fast food’ meal.

Las vegans - food stand

Las Vegans: Seitan burger and Green Glow smoothie 






Kozmosz
Hunyadi Tér 1, 1067 Budapest
Tel: +36 20 514 6663

100% plant-based restaurant Kozmosz is located in a quiet neighbourhood of Budapest, not too far from the historic city centre. It serves delicious traditional Hungarian dishes that have been ‘veganised’, such as bean goulash, seitan stew with ‘nokedli’ dumplings or ‘cottage-cheese csusza’ (pasta). Other more international food staples to enjoy include mushroom ragout with coconut milk, beetroot burger or Greek Briam (Baked Courgettes and Potatoes). If you have a sweet tooth, you should definitely try the layered pancake or one of the other seasonal desserts.

Kozmosz - Barbecue seitan plate
Kozmosz: a selection of seasonal desserts


Lecso Magyaros Gyorsetterem
Szent István krt. 10, 1137 Budapest
Tel: +36 1 349 3580
Simple, hearty and no-fuss. Three words that can best describe this restaurant that serves traditional Hungarian cuisine. Located between the Nyugati Main Railway Station and the Houses of Parliament, Lecso Magyaros Gyorsetterem is a convenient spot to enjoy food that feels both homemade and authentic. At lunchtime, the restaurant offers a selection of more than 50 self-service buffet style dishes. At a dinner time, one can enjoy table service experience with even more menu items to choose from. The vegan options include a variety of vegetable soups (just check that no cream was added), fried vegetables, salads and pickles (check for mayonnaise) and rice and pasta-based dishes. Very affordable prices and quick and friendly service.

Lecso Magyaros Gyorsetterem: soup and a main course from the lunch buffet

Aztek Choxolat
Károly Körút 22, 1052 Budapest
 Tel: +36 20 514 6663
This small and cosy café and chocolate shop offers an impressive selection of artisan and handmade pralines and heart-warming hot chocolates. Aztek Choxolat is a perfect spot if you are looking for a calm and relaxing atmosphere on a busy sightseeing day. You can find it tucked away in a lovely courtyard just across from the Great Synagogue and the centre of the Jewish Quarter. The vegan options include all the dark chocolate-based hot chocolates and a selection of rich Hungarian and Aztek chocolate pralines.

Aztek Choxolat: Thick cinammon-flavoured dark hot chocolate

 
And last but definitely not least…
Gelarto Bistro
Sas utca 11, Hungary, 1051 Budapest
Tel: +36 70 934 8836

This beautiful rose ice cream shop and little bistro restaurant located near St Stephen’s Basilica is now not only one of the best spots for desserts, it is also a real vegan paradise. Its renewed in June 2018 menu offers mouth-watering, colourful and healthy breakfast and lunchtime dishes. Amongst them are tropical smoothie bowl, chai-spiced oat porridge, grilled chickpea omelette, as well as a selection of sandwiches, salads and mezzes. My personal highlight, however, were the cakes and coffee. The chai-spiced banana chocolate cake with caramel-chocolate cream and buckwheat crunch was rich and delicious. However nothing can beat the spiced apple cake with hazelnut cream – honesty the best vegan cake I have ever eaten! All of this enjoyed with a creamy coconut or oat milk latte. Pure heaven!

Gelarto Bistro: banana-chocolate and apple-hazelnut cake



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