Bon Appetit

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• Café Intenzó read more ›
  (9 Kálvin Tér, IX. Tel. 219 5243)
  An oasis of an inner courtyard that you wouldn't expect to find in the city centre - with good lunch specials and great salads.
• STeX HáZ read more ›
  (55-57 József Körút, VIII. Tel. 318 5716)
  You might get sidetracked from the food, with all the possibilites for games of poker, roulette and more. Its motto isn't "eat, drink and play" for nothing!
• Zsola Főzelék Faloda read more ›
  (52 Magyar Utca, V. )
  Perfect for these cash-strapped times, this place is simple and won't break the bank. Similar to a stew, főzelék comes in many varieties, including vegetarian versions.
• Pár Perc Krumpli read more ›
  (1-3 Ráday Utca. )
  Potatoes in all forms (that's krumpli in Hungarian) plus fried, breaded veggies and chicken. Cheap and tasty.
• Feeling Diner read more ›
  (53 Király Utca, VII . Tel. 788 3765)
  Enjoy an American-style diner in Budapest with a 10% discount for students, plus a daily special with soup and main dish at a bargain price.
• Kék Rózsa read more ›
  (9 Wesselényi Utca, VII. Tel. 342 8981)
  Good Hungarian cooking in the Jewish Quarter. You might have to fight for a place, though.

• Tigris read more ›
  (10 Mérleg Street, V. Tel. 317 3715)
  In co-operation with the Gere Winery, this is the perfect place to try exclusive wines at affordable prices with the bonus of vintage atmosphere, superb food and exemplary service.
• Soho London Café read more ›
  (31 Nagymező Utca, VI. Tel. 354 1096)
  In the heart of the theatre district, with a huge selection of food and cocktails, this eatery is known for its excellent lunch specials, starting at just €2. Great concerts in the evenings, too.
• Szent Jupát read more ›
  (3 Dékán Utca, II. Tel. 212 2923)
  A cosy atmosphere makes this place perfect for Sunday dinner. There are great platters for two - but not for those with small appetites!
• Czukor read more ›
  (3 Cukor Utca. Tel. 267 6092)
  This friendly place boasts a wide selection of delicious meals, including traditional Hungarian dishes. While there's plenty of meat and fish on the menu, there's also a good variety of vegetarian options. The speciality is George Cukor's poppy seed cake.
• Champs Sport Club read more ›
  (20 Dohány Utca, VII . Tel. 413 1655)
  Sports fans unite at this lively restaurant and bar, with 35 TVs and two giant screens, plus a full menu, live music and a cocktail bar.
• Stex Alfréd read more ›
  (55-57 József Krt, VIII. Tel. 318 5716)
  At this hang-out you can eat, drink, smoke cigars, play poker or roulette-or just read a newspaper from morning to night. Whatever you do, don't miss out on the delicious bean soup.

• Fészek Klub read more ›
  (36 Kertész Utca, VII. Tel. 342 6548)
  A trip back in time to the former hang-out of writers and actors. Impeccable service in a wonderfully green inner courtyard.
• Tom George Restaurant and Café read more ›
  (8 Október 6 Utca, V. Tel. 266 3525)
  An impressive menu with an Oriental touch and a sushi bar. Ample choice of drinks, too.
• Borbíróság read more ›
  (5 Csarnok Tér, IX. Tel. 219 0902)
  Delightful in the evening, with an interesting selection of wines, as well as great lunch specials, including excellent Hungarian specialities. Sit outside if it's warm.
• Borssó read more ›
  (14 Királyi Pál Utca. Tel. 789 0975)
  Everyone raves about this restaurant, especially its succulent steak. The chocolate brownies are divine, if you still have room for dessert.
• Cyrano read more ›
  (7-8 Kristóf Tér, V . Tel. 266 3096)
  Off the Váci Utca, with a luxurious atmosphere and a creative kitchen of Hungarian classics and international flair. Top off your meal with a chocolate soufflé.
• Márványmenyasszony read more ›
  (6 Márvány Utca, I. Tel. 487 3090)
  Don't let the long name scare you! Dating back to 1793, you can choose between the restaurant with its Hungarian specialities or the cosy wine cellar by candlelight.

• Le Bourbon read more ›
  (9-11 Erzsébet Tér, V. Tel. 429 5500)
  A feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds in one of Budapest's five-star hotels. One of the best Sunday brunches in the city, too.
• Café Pierrot read more ›
  (14 Fortuna Utca, I. Tel. 375 6971)
  Housed in a 13th-century building, but offering contemporary cuisine in elegant surroundings. Highly recommended are the Tokaj sabayon with grape jelly starter and the Pierrot mocca.
• Manna EUthentic Lounge read more ›
  (17 Palota Út. )
  Good music provides the perfect background to a lovely meal with the menu including dishes from across the European Union. A favourite is the garlic shrimp with black spaghetti.
• Gellért Söröző & Brasserie read more ›
  (1 Szent Gellért Tér. Tel. 889 5566)
  Tradition and innovation combine in beautiful surroundings. Famous for vanilla cream mousse with candied fruits, but equally good are the pork or goose dishes. Impeccable service, as you'd expect.
• Pampas Argentin Steakhouse read more ›
  (6 Vámház Körút, V. Tel. 411 1750)
  The steaks are imported from Argentina, with game and mutton flown in from New Zealand. Listed as one of Hungary's top 100 restaurants-don't miss out on a tasty meal in this warm, red haven.
• Cascade read more ›
  (8D Szarvas Gábor Ut, XII. Tel. 302 0007)
  Minimalist elegance softened by an open fireplace. It's worth choosing from the daily menu-and whatever you do, don't forget the cocktails!

After Dark

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• Gerbeaud read more ›
  (7-8 Vörösmarty Tér, V. Tel. 429 9000)
  Hit the famous Gerbeaud café, where you can people-watch on the large terrace while having your ice-cream sundae (for example, the delicious Tokaj Cup) or one of the many sinfully good cakes or pastries.
• Café Factory read more ›
  (28 Jókai Utca, VI. Tel. 269 4923)
  You know the slogan we aim to please? Well, they really mean it here. Offering a homely atmosphere with an emphasis on coffee, it's definitely a place to linger as the night draws in.
• Vista Café read more ›
  (7 Paulay Ede Utca, VI. Tel. 268 0888)
  A large coffee shop where the working language is English. A good choice if you're on your own and want to read a book as there are plenty of nooks and crannies.
• Coffeinn read more ›
  (6 Kecskeméti Utca. Tel. 266 4060)
  Speciality coffees and a small, daily à la carte menu in this atmospheric joint.
• Horváth Cukrászda read more ›
  (35 Petőfi Sándor Utca, IV. Tel. 370 4196)
  Tuck into cakes in any shape or form, as well as sinfully delicious biscuits and ice cream for those who didn't give them up for Lent!
• Majd Leonard read more ›
  (7 Balassi Bálint Utca, V. Tel. 301 3891)
  For a bit of 1950s nostalgia, try this café near Parliament, where locals meet for breakfast. It's a good place to warm up before continuing a walk along the Danube.

• Café Spinoza read more ›
  (15 Dob Utca, VII. Tel. 413 7488)
  Plop yourself down for a refreshing tea, some live music or to enjoy one of the many events.
• A38 read more ›
  (Buda side of Petofi Bridge, IX. Tel. 464 3940)
  It calls itself the reincarnation of a Ukrainian stone-carrier ship. We call it endless music - and art - on a boat in the Danube. Open every day of the year.
• Bonyai Étterem read more ›
  (3 Reményi Ede Utca, III. Tel. 240 6102)
  Although it is a restaurant, Bonyai Étterem also hosts live music every evening and receives the highest acclaim from young and old.
• Merlin read more ›
  (4 Gerlóczy Utca, V. Tel. 317 9338)
  A theatre, a club and a non-stop party place. Open till 5am (till 1am on Sunday) with plenty of live music and quiet little nooks for a chat.
• Café Zenit read more ›
  (1A Dohány Utca, VII . Tel. 784 0092)
  Centrally located, with a good range of coffees and teas, Café Zenit often has live music in the evening.
• Pótkulcs read more ›
  (65B Csengery Utca, VI. Tel. 269 1050)
  Not easy to find, but worth it. Live music almost every night in a funky atmosphere, set in a part of town that's full of similar quirky venues.

• Holdudvar read more ›
  (Margaret Island. Tel. 236 0155)
  Take your pick - bar, garden, open-air cinema - or disco till 5am. Covered in case of rain - but fortunately Budapest is not known for its rainy summers.
• Mario Lanza Caffé read more ›
  (46 Andrássy Utca, VI. Tel. 302 4424)
  Just a step away from the restaurants and bars of Liszt Ferenc Tér, this bar never seems to close. The place to head if you can't get to sleep.
• Közgáz Klub read more ›
  (8 Fővám Tér, IX. )
  Open from 10pm-5am Tuesday-Saturday, this is the Economic University's club, so you can expect it to be filled with riotous students, but it's open to everyone.
• Mumus Kert read more ›
  (18 Dob Utca, VII. )
  In the heart of the Jewish district, this is a recently resurrected pub with a loyal following. Expect an arty atmosphere, with exhibitions in one of the rooms.
• Dürer Kert read more ›
  (19-21 Ajtósi Dürer Sor, XIV. Tel. 789 4444)
  You name the style, you can find it here. Formerly a part of the university, this venue has a huge capacity and live music.
• Cactus Juice read more ›
  (5 Jókai Tér, VI. Tel. 302 2116)
  Not only the home of 50 whiskies, a party atmosphere with DJ and dancing till 4am at the weekend, but you can also have an exquisite meal created by one of the chefs from the local TV cooking channel.

This month...

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Tips

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