This European City’s Vegan Scene Is Way Better Than You’d Expect
Budapest is an awesome place for a city break, known for its iconic ruin bars, stunning architecture, and thermal baths. But did you know that despite Hungary’s traditionally meat-based dishes, Budapest is a haven for vegan food?
I’ve been to Budapest a couple of times, the most recent being in July last year, and on both visits, I’ve been pretty blown away by just how much choice there is. With fully vegan cafes and plenty of restaurants offering vegan options, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding somewhere to eat. Even the supermarkets are pretty well stocked with plant-based goodies!
Budapest is split into two parts, each on either side of the Danube River. The Pest side is the more lively part of the city, where many of these restaurants are found, but you’ll also find plenty of options on the quieter Buda side.
Vegan Budapest Guide At A Glance
Before jumping into the full list of vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants, here are the most authentic, affordable, and downright delicious spots to eat.
The Best Fully Vegan Restaurants In Budapest
Vegan Garden
Vegan Garden is a really beautiful restaurant found in the heart of Budapest, just a short walk from the Deák Ferenc tér station. From the outside, it might not seem like much since it’s on the ground floor of a mall, but once you step inside, it feels like you’ve entered a plant-filled conservatory.
They have a fully vegan international menu, with most of their ingredients being locally sourced. James had the vegan chicken burger while I had the roasted rice with veggies and tofu, both were delicious and were washed down with a huge glass of Aperol.
This is a great lunch spot while exploring the city.
Kozmosz
I was so gutted that we didn’t get to eat at Kozmosz, but time and time again it comes up as one of the most recommended places for vegan food in Budapest!
The restaurant is run by a mum and daughter duo who are both vegan and have a passion for sharing delicious food. Here, you’ll find traditional Hungarian dishes like goulash and seitan stew, as well as veganized international dishes such as gyros and quesadillas.
Gluten-free options are clearly marked on their menu, and I’ve heard the portions are pretty hefty, so you definitely won’t be leaving hungry!
Szabad Bistro
James actually found this gem while looking on Happy Cow, and honestly, this ended up being in my top 3 places to eat in Budapest.
Szabad Bistro has two locations: one on Király Street and another in District 8. We visited the Király Street location, and I loved both the food and the vibe. At first glance, the gastro pub might seem a little run down, but it actually has a similar charm to the city’s iconic ruin bars.
They serve a range of dishes, including not-meatballs, penne carbonara, and bean goulash. However, the main focus of the menu is on their delicious variety of burgers and dirty fries – just yum!
We both opted for the Balkan burger with a side of dirty fries topped with rice bacon—a really naughty but tasty meal, perfect for fueling up to walk around the city. They also have an awesome gluten-free beer!
4 Minute Cafe
Found on the Buda side of the river, 4-minute cafe is close to the popular Fisherman’s Bastion on Castle Hill.
You won’t find full-on meals here, but it’s a great spot to stop for a bite and some coffee after a morning of exploring the nearby sights. The café has an outdoor seating area on a quiet, pretty street, and they serve a range of sandwiches, raw and gluten-free cakes, croissants and even a chia pudding with fresh fruit.
Even if you’re not hungry, they serve a very good coffee, which is worth a stop in itself!
Las Vegans
Las Vegans are found all around Budapest, on both sides of the river, with the most popular location being at Street Food Karavan. It’s a great place to fuel up before a night out at Szimpla Kert, as it’s just a few minutes away!
The food is your typical fast food menu, with burgers being the star of the show. Other options include nuggets, fries and burger plates. They have lots of different burgers to choose from, and if you don’t want or can’t eat a bun, you can switch to a burger plate instead (the Beyond patty is gluten-free).
When I visited with a group of friends a few years back, a couple of them, who aren’t vegan, also got some burgers from here, and they were pretty impressed too.
The Best Vegan Friendly Restaurants In Budapest
These are the restaurants we visited in Budapest, although they aren’t fully vegan, we loved the vegan options that they had on offer.
Twenty Six
So this is actually my favourite meal that I’ve ever had in Budapest. Each dish that we had at Twenty Six, whether it was a starter, main or side, was literally next-level delicious! This was probably the most expensive of all the restaurants, but I do think it is worth it.
Firstly, the setting is beautiful! You’re going to be eating your meal in what feels like an indoor jungle and you’ll be surrounded by hanging plants and lush trees. The Mediterranean menu is not fully vegan, but there are around 6 mezze dishes to pick from, as well as one main that was bursting with flavour.
We ended up sharing the most delicious hummus I think I’ve ever eaten, along with smoked aubergine topped with tahini and tomato salsa. The main dish was a soy and orange roasted cauliflower served with spiced black lentil stew, coconut chips, and rice.
The cocktails also deserve a special mention, as the espresso martini was a really tasty end to the meal.
Bollywood Vegi Bar
This was the cheapest and most filling meal we had in Budapest, and we ended up eating here twice because the food was so good! The entire menu features authentic Indian cuisine—not the usual Westernized version of curry— is fully vegetarian, and most dishes can be made vegan when requested.
Bollywood Vegi Bar is no frills, which I love, and the man who works here is unbelievably sweet. The curry is made fresh, so you can ask for different levels of spice depending on what you like.
James and I actually met in India, and we kept saying how much this little gem reminded us of the places we would eat while we were there – it really was that authentic, including the decor.
The pakoras with sweet chilli sauce are to die for, and both the dhals and the phool gobi are delicious. The portions are huge also!
Goli
Again, this isn’t a fully vegan restaurant since they do serve some meat dishes, but they don’t use any eggs or dairy in any part of the menu. So, if a dish doesn’t contain meat, it should be vegan—and the staff were really clued up, so if you’re unsure, you can always ask. The head chef is also vegan, which is a huge bonus!
We were actually spoiled for choice with Goli’s Middle Eastern menu and ended up picking around six different items, as they’re all meant for sharing. The real standout for us was the labneh—it was so creamy, I wanted to order more! They also served the BEST gluten-free bread I’ve ever had, made on site by their Chilean chef, who specializes in it.
The vibe at Goli was so much fun, with loud music playing and an open kitchen where you could watch the food being prepared – it smelt amazing too. We sat at the bar during our meal and enjoyed chatting with a few of the chefs, which really made it for us.
Franziska
We got really lucky stumbling across this spot on our way from the bus station to our accommodation.
If you’re into wholesome and healthy food, Franziska is the perfect place to stop for breakfast or lunch. For savoury breakfast lovers, they offer a good-sized vegan brekkie. If you’re more into the sweet stuff (like me), there’s a massive selection of smoothie bowls—I was a big fan of the berry acai bowl.
They’ve also got a lunch menu with 2-3 vegan options, plus fresh cakes that go perfectly with a really good coffee.
Where To Get Vegan Dessert
This wouldn’t be a complete guide if I skipped past dessert! Although a lot of the places I have mentioned above do offer a vegan dessert, I sometimes like to walk off my meal before hitting the sweet stuff!
Plant Milkyway used to be the place to go for vegan sweet treats, but sadly, they closed their doors in May 2024.
Gelateria Pichler
Gelateria Pichler is a bit of a double whammy for desserts as you can take your pick of vegan chimney cake, ice cream or even both together!
Although I didn’t try the chimney cake, the vegan chocolate ice cream was super rich and creamy (not watery like some sorbets can be). There were about 4 or 5 flavours that you can choose from.
Naspolya Nassolda
Found in the heart of Budapest, Naspolya Nassolda is a great place to stop, not only for vegans but anyone who has an allergy to gluten or soy.
I was really gutted that we didn’t manage to stop by, as I’ve only heard and read great things about their cakes. They offer a selection of raw cakes, including options like tiramisu, and ice creams that are refined sugar-free.
Other Vegan Friendly Finds
Although I haven’t eaten at these locations, they are often mentioned when looking for vegan places to eat around Budapest.
Madal Cafe
Located near the Parliament building, Madal Cafe is mostly plant-based, though they do serve cow’s milk, so it’s not fully vegan.
You’ll find their menu offers a variety of sandwiches, pasta, and pizzas, but the main attraction is their extensive selection of cakes and pastries.
Nemsuti
Nemsuti is a vegetarian cafe serving vegan options with a couple of small locations dotted around the city.
They have a rotating daily menu, which you can check on their website to see if they have any options you fancy.
Where To Stay In Budapest
Queen’s Court Hotel & Residence
Treat yourself to a bit of luxury at Queen’s Court Hotel & Residence!
Right in the heart of Budapest, this place has rooms and suites of all sizes, plus a quiet garden courtyard. You can also relax with an onsite spa, gym, and indoor pool.
Ó 38 Luxe Loft
Ó 38 Luxe Loft has a New York apartment vibe—modern and super stylish. It’s got two bedrooms, a fully stocked kitchen, and even a washer and dryer.
Plus, you’ll find everything you need close by!
Onefam Hostel
Right in the heart of the 7th district, Onefam Hostel has a laid-back, friendly vibe that’s perfect if you’re a budget traveller looking to meet people.
They’ve got evening activities and a bar that’s open until 11pm.
Final Thoughts
I don’t think you’ll have to look far to find a great vegan meal in Budapest, as pretty much most cafes and restaurants will have at least one option. From the moment you leave the airport and head into the city, you’ll have plenty of places and cuisines to pick from.
Whether you’re looking for a boujee brunch spot, a cheap and thrifty dinner or a delicious sweet treat, Budapest’s plant-based scene is ever-growing and there is something for everyone to enjoy.
