What is the best Hungarian food to try? This guide will help you discover the highlights of the local cuisine, including the most popular dishes, desserts, and drinks.
Hungarian cuisine is unique. Even though surrounding cultures have influenced it, it has retained its distinctive flair and traditional roots throughout the centuries.
You’ll see Turkish influences in the best Hungarian food from the period it was ruled by the Ottoman Empire. There are also Austrian influences from the era of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
At its core, Hungarian cuisine is inspired by the country’s pastoral heritage, emphasizing rich flavors and comforting dishes. From a hearty bowl of goulash to a steaming plate of chicken paprikash to a fluffy, sugary chimney cake, Hungarian cuisine is always satisfying.
Here’s a look at the best Hungarian food and drinks you must try while visiting Hungary.
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Top 10 Traditional Hungarian Dishes
Hungarian people take pride in their country’s cuisine, which stands out from its Central European neighbors thanks to its bold, distinct flavors and unique dishes.
Some basic ingredients in Hungarian cooking are pork, beef, potatoes, onions, and sour cream. Common seasonings include garlic and paprika, a red pepper spice that is synonymous with Hungarian cuisine. Herbs like dill, marjoram, and parsley are also commonly used.
Main dishes in Hungary are designed to be filling and comforting, satisfying the appetite and nourishing the soul. Meals are often slow-cooked, layering on the flavors for an ultimately delicious result.
In this guide to the best Hungarian food, you’ll find some of the most popular traditional dishes that you can’t miss.
1. Goulash (Gulyás)
Known for being the national dish of Hungary, goulash is the ultimate comfort food. This warm and hearty soup traces its roots back to medieval times when it was a popular dish with shepherds on the Hungarian plains.
Traditionally, this paprika-infused soup contains tender chunks of beef, potatoes, root vegetables like carrots and parsnips, and small dumplings, or csipetke.
The exceptionally vibrant red color and smoky, spicy flavor of goulash can be attributed to paprika, a seasoning that’s ubiquitous in Hungarian cooking, even though it wasn’t actually introduced until the 16th century by the Turks.
This slow-simmered soup is served piping hot once all the flavors have melded together, usually with a slice of bread for dipping on the side.
Traditional Hungarian goulash is the perfect warmth-inducing meal to enjoy on a chilly day during the winter months. You can find it on the menu at most Hungarian restaurants.
2. Meat Stew (Pörkölt)
Meat stew, or porkolt in Hungarian, is another substantial dish that will leave you feeling full with its savory flavors. Often confused with goulash, meat stew is typically thicker and more intensely flavored.
The base of this dish is sautéed onions and lard, followed by a generous portion of Hungarian paprika, which adds a distinctive color and flavor. Meats, including pork, beef, lamb, or wild game, are added and simmered until tender in the spiced sauce.
Sometimes, additional ingredients like bell peppers, tomatoes, or mushrooms are added to the mix. However, the focus of this dish is always on the meat.
Porkolt is often served with nokedli (soft egg noodles) or boiled potatoes to help soak up the juices and balance the flavors. Like goulash, this is a great meal to enjoy on a cold evening. It will warm you up right down to your bones.
3. Chicken Paprikash (Csirkepaprikás)
If you’re looking for a chicken-based dish in Hungary, you can’t go wrong with chicken paprikash. This is a popular comfort food in Hungary that also relies heavily on paprika.
Chicken paprikash consists of tender and flavorful chicken (usually drumsticks or pieces of chicken breast) covered in an aromatic red sauce with a creamy consistency made from generous amounts of paprika, sour cream, and onions.
This is usually served over nokedli dumplings, turning it into a hearty meal with simple yet bold flavors and complementary textures. Chicken paprikash is also usually accompanied by a crisp cucumber salad or pickled vegetables to balance out the meal.
Although chicken paprikash is a favorite home-cooked meal for many Hungarians, you will also find it served at restaurants all around Hungary, from Budapest to the countryside.
4. Lecho
Although many of the most popular main dishes in Hungary are meat-based, vegetarians looking for a delicious meal will be happy to discover lecho, a type of vegetable stew. It’s not quite as heavy as goulash or meat stew, but it’s still a satisfying and flavorful dish.
Lecho is typically made from ripe peppers, tomatoes, and onions, sautéed together into a hearty stew. Sometimes chunks of sausage or eggs are added to this dish. Therefore, if you’re looking for a vegetarian or vegan meal, be sure to check that it only contains vegetables first.
It’s also common for lecho to be served with crusty bread or rice, perfect for soaking up the flavors of this vegetable stew. Whether you eat it on its own or as a side, lecho is an appetizing and uncomplicated dish to try.
5. Lángos
If you’re looking for the best street food in Hungary, langos is the clear winner. This indulgent, deep-fried dish is Hungarian comfort food at its best. Langos is a popular snack that you’ll often see being prepared fresh at street stalls or fast food joints.
It begins with a soft yeast dough that is flattened into a round shape and fried until crispy and golden on the outside, but soft and fluffy on the inside. Like pizza, you can choose from an assortment of toppings on your langos.
The classic topping is sour cream and grated cheese. That said, you can choose from other toppings like ham, bacon, onions, other vegetables, and garlic butter. You can also try a sweet variety of langos with toppings like Nutella or jam.
Langos is commonly enjoyed at outdoor festivals, Christmas markets, and other events in Hungary. It’s the perfect grab-and-go snack for when you’re craving something easy and filling. It’s another dish that’s good for vegetarians since you can easily order langos without meat.
6. Hortobágyi Palacsinta
Hortobagyi palacsinta is a twist on Hungary’s beloved palacsinta, a type of sweet crepe that’s popular for dessert. This variation, however, is a savory crepe that can be enjoyed as a main course.
These thin pancakes are stuffed with meat like ground pork, chicken, or veal. They’re then placed in a dish and baked until bubbly and golden. The final step before serving is to smother the crepes in a paprika-based sauce and heap on a liberal portion of sour cream.
Though sharing the same base as a sweet dessert, these savory crepes are perfect as a hearty main dish for dinner.
7. Stuffed Cabbage (Töltött Káposzta)
Stuffed cabbage rolls is a comfort food classic in Hungary, usually served during the colder months. This warm and nourishing dish consists of cabbage leaves stuffed with a seasoned mixture of minced pork, rice, onions, and paprika.
The stuffed rolls are then simmered in a tangy tomato-paprika broth with sauerkraut, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Like with many iconic Hungarian dishes, the end result of toltott kaposzta is served with a dollop of sour cream on top. You’ll also commonly see this dish served with bread to soak up the flavors. Some variations include ground beef instead of pork, or the addition of smoked sausage.
If you’re looking for a uniquely Hungarian dish, this is an excellent one to try.
8. Fisherman’s Soup (Halászlé)
Being a landlocked country, you might wonder where fisherman’s soup, or halászlé, got its name. This soup was actually named for the fishermen along the Danube and Tisza rivers in Hungary, where freshwater fish is abundant.
Most Hungarian dishes don’t feature seafood. Therefore, this is a good one to try if you’re looking for something a little different that is still deeply rooted in Hungarian tradition.
This vibrant red soup is packed with freshwater fish like catfish, carp, or perch. It’s flavored heavily with paprika, providing bold coloring and spicy flavor. The broth of the soup is made from bones, fresh fish, onions, and more paprika. Sometimes the soup also includes csipetke, or small dumplings.
You’ll most often find fisherman’s soup on the menu in destinations along the Danube or Tisza rivers in Hungary.
9. Főzelék
Fozelek is a delicious vegetarian-friendly dish that sits somewhere between a soup and a stew. This veggie-forward delicacy highlights seasonal vegetables including peas, spinach, potatoes, cabbage, and more. The base is made by cooking vegetables in water, then thickening it with sour cream or roux.
This kind of soup is usually seasoned with simple ingredients like salt, pepper, garlic, dill, or paprika. It’s often served on its own as a light main dish or made a little heavier with the addition of protein like fried eggs, sausage, or other meats.
It’s a simple dish that showcases seasonal vegetables and comes together in a way that is satisfying and tasty.
10. Rakott Krumpli
One more Hungarian dish to try is rakott krumpli, a type of layered potato casserole. This is the ultimate hearty food that is both comforting and full of flavor. It’s been a Hungarian staple since at least 1840, when it was mentioned in the country’s national cookbook.
The dish combines sliced boiled potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, smoked sausage, and a generous portion of sour cream, all arranged into layers and baked until steaming and golden.
This casserole is often topped off with even more sour cream and grated cheese for extra indulgence, making this dish one that will leave you feeling perfectly satiated.
Best Hungarian Desserts
Hungary is renowned for its tasty desserts, which are as rich and diverse as the country’s savory dishes. Offering everything from elegant layered cakes to casual street snacks, Hungarian desserts are always sweet and satisfying.
Some Hungarian desserts are associated with holidays and special events or celebrations, while others are more casual treats enjoyed on an everyday basis.
Whether you’re sitting down for a coffee and a slice of cake at one of Budapest’s elegant Old World cafés or enjoying dessert after a hearty dinner at a countryside csarda (traditional restaurant), there’s always time for the sweeter things in life in Hungary.
Here’s a look at the best Hungarian desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth.
1. Dobos Cake
Dobos cake, also known as Dobos torte, is one of the most iconic desserts in Hungary. This layered sponge cake was developed by pastry chef Jozsef Dobos in the late 19th century. His aim was to develop a cake that would keep for longer in the age before refrigeration.
This dessert consists of thin layers of sponge cake interspersed with fine layers of chocolate buttercream frosting. The cake is glazed with hardened caramel to hold it all together and prevent it from drying out, and the sides are coated with ground nuts.
You’ll often see this dessert in Hungarian cafés, bakeries, and patisseries. It’s typically served in long, elegant slices. This cake is the perfect thing to enjoy alongside a cup of coffee as a mid-afternoon treat.
2. Chimney Cake (Kürtőskalács)
Chimney cake, known as kurtoskalacs in Hungarian, is yet another of the most famous desserts from Hungary. This is a beloved street food that gets its name from its structure. The hollow cylinder shape of the dessert resembles a chimney.
Made from a slightly sweet dough, the pastry is rolled into long strips, wrapped around a wooden cylinder, and baked over hot coals or in a special rotisserie oven. As it cooks, the cake is brushed with butter and coated with sugar, caramelizing into a crackly golden crust.
After it has finished baking, this delicious cake is usually coated on the inside with toppings, including cinnamon sugar, ground nuts, or a chocolate spread. Although you can enjoy this sweet snack at any time of year, chimney cake is often associated with Christmas markets in Hungary.
3. Palacsinta
Palacsinta is the Hungarian answer to crepes. These light and tender sweet pancakes are thin like French crepes. However, they lack butter and rely more heavily on eggs and milk in the batter instead.
This is a dessert that is casual and easy to throw together. It’s a common staple in Hungarian homes, as well as restaurants and cafés around the country. Palacsinta is often rolled or folded around various sweet fillings, including apricot jam, cocoa and sugar, ground nuts or sugar, or spreads like Nutella.
You’ll usually see this tasty dessert topped off with a light dusting of powdered sugar and served either warm or at room temperature as a casual snack.
4. Somlói Galuska
Another of the best desserts to try in Hungary is somloi galuska. This Hungarian trifle is extremely popular, and despite its rustic appearance, it’s a very decadent treat.
Somloi galuska is said to have originated in the 1950s at Gundel, a famous restaurant in Budapest known for its incredible desserts. This dessert consists of layered sponge cake (usually plain, chocolate, and walnut varieties) soaked in rum-laced syrup and topped off with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and ground nuts.
The whole thing is scooped into a bowl or onto a plate, giving it a slightly messy appearance, but the flavor of this dessert is anything but casual. If you’re looking for a rich dessert to finish off a meal in Hungary, somloi galuska is the perfect thing to order.
Best Hungarian Drinks
No exploration of Hungarian cuisine is complete without raising a glass to its iconic drinks. Hungary has several notable wine regions, and the country’s unique climate and rich agricultural heritage have helped shape its vineyards.
Aside from wine, Hungary also produces distinctive liquors and liqueurs at local distilleries, offering drinks for every palate and occasion.
Whether you’re enjoying a glass of wine in a Tokaj wine cellar, a cocktail at an eclectic ruin bar in Budapest, or a spritzer at a rustic countryside tavern at Lake Balaton, there are plenty of delicious drinks you can try in Hungary.
These are some of the most popular Hungarian beverages to sample.
1. Pálinka
Palinka is Hungary’s signature fruit brandy with origins dating back to medieval times. Although similar brandies exist in neighboring Austria and Slovakia, palinka is uniquely Hungarian. In fact, as a protected geographical indication of the EU, it can only be called palinka if it was distilled in Hungary.
This strong liquor is made by distilling fermented fruit, most commonly apricots, plums, pears, apples, or cherries. Palinka has a strong, clear flavor and packs a punch with a potency of as high as 50% alcohol. Therefore, it’s best enjoyed in small doses.
You’ll find palinka at virtually every bar, restaurant, and grocery store in Hungary, and it’s the most popular spirit in the country.
Palinka makes an appearance on special occasions in Hungary, including weddings, birthdays, and other celebrations. It’s even used as a folk remedy for common ailments like colds and indigestion.
2. Tokaji
Tokaji is the name of the sweet white wine originating from the Tokaj wine region in the country’s northeastern part, one of the best places to visit in Hungary. Although Hungary has several great wine regions, Tokaj is considered the best, and wines from here are renowned worldwide.
Tokaji Aszú is the most iconic wine from this region, known for its rich, syrupy, sweet flavor with notes of honey, apricot, and citrus. Tokaji wines are made from grapes affected by noble rot (botrytis cinerea), which creates the sweet flavoring.
Since the 18th century, Tokaji wine has been known as The Wine of Kings & King of Wines, a nickname that is thought to have been given by King Louis XIV of France. Regardless of the nickname’s origins, it’s true that this wine has been enjoyed by European royalty, aristocrats, and high society for centuries.
These days, trying Tokaji wine while in Hungary is a must. It’s popularly paired with foie gras, blue cheese, or desserts, but it can also be enjoyed on its own.
3. Unicum
Unicum is considered to be one of the national drinks of Hungary. It’s a bold and bitter herbal liqueur that is often described as an acquired taste because of its strong flavor.
According to legend, Unicum was developed in 1790 by a Hungarian doctor to the Imperial Court, Dr. Zwack, who offered it to Joseph II, the Habsburg emperor at the time. It was designed as a herbal digestif and that is how it’s still consumed today.
Don’t be surprised to see Hungarians consuming this thick, syrupy black liqueur after a meal. With a blend of dozens of herbs and spices, it has an intense and earthy flavor profile.
The strong flavor is not for everyone, but if you want a true Hungarian experience, you shouldn’t skip trying Unicum after dinner one night.
4. Spritzer (Fröccs)
Last but not least, one of the most popular drinks in Hungary is Froccs. This is the ultimate light and refreshing summertime beverage in Hungary, perfect for sipping at a sidewalk café in Budapest or a waterfront restaurant in Lake Balaton.
It’s more than just a casual drink; it’s a social institution. Froccs is a Hungarian wine spritzer made by mixing chilled wine with soda water. White wine and rosé are the most popular choices for Froccs, and there’s a lot of variation in the ratio of wine to soda water.
If you’re looking for something lighter and more refreshing, you can order a higher ratio of soda water, while if you’re looking for something stronger, you can ask for more wine.
Froccs is commonly enjoyed at social gatherings in Hungary, from barbecues to birthday parties. It’s strongly associated with warm weather and summer sunshine, and it’s the perfect drink to sip outdoors while catching up with friends on a weekend afternoon.
Savor The Best Hungarian Food With JayWay
Whether you’re on a foodie adventure across Central Europe or simply looking to complement your trip with the most delectable culinary experiences, our expert trip planners will be more than happy to craft the perfect Hungary itinerary for you, sprinkling it with some of the best Hungarian food, desserts, and wine.
Born and raised in Athens, Maria’s passionate about travel and storytelling, a combination that makes her ideal for her role as our content manager.