Szeged may be small, but it’s definitely not lacking in great places to eat and drink! From fine dining establishments to homely local eateries, there are plenty of restaurants in the city to choose from. Whatever your taste, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best places to eat in Szeged.
Tiszavirág Szeged, Hajnóczy utca | Courtesy of Tiszavirág Restaurant
Found in a beautifully renovated historical building, this elegantrestaurant focuses on fine dining with an element of home cooking to keep things relaxed. Fresh local ingredients create a menu featuring both internationaland Hungarian cuisine with a modern twist. Light, bright and stylish, it’s a great place to enjoy a slightly more upscale meal in Szeged.
Craft beer, gourmet burgers, an outdoor garden in which to enjoy the summer sun…this relaxed restaurant is a favourite with visitors and locals, and it’s not hard to see why. Food is simple and well-prepared, with a number of grilled dishes featured on the menu, but it’s the burgers which are the real star here. Outside, the relaxed garden (or ‘kert’) is reminiscent of Budapest’s ruin bars, with a chill atmosphere and colourfully mismatched furniture.
Operated by the same company which runs the hugely popular KiskőrössyHalászcsárda (see below), the name of this restaurant translates as “Better than at Home,” which effectively describes its philosophy: to create delicious, home-cooked meals using fresh ingredients. The food is excellent and the setting is stunning. Overlooking LencsésHorgásztá, there is a terrace that juts out onto the water and is popular during the summer months thanks to the beautiful views and weather.
Halászlé (fisherman’s soup) is a popular traditional Hungarian dish, enjoyed throughout the country. Thanks to Szeged’s location on the Tisza river, it’s also a local specialty and the city has its own version called Szegedi Halászlé. A number of restaurants focus on the spicy fish soup throughout Szeged, but Kiskőrössy Halászcsárda is one of the best places to taste it. A riverfront restaurant with outdoor seating during the warmer months, the traditional vibe and delicious food are reason enough to head to this local eatery.
Italian cuisine, a relaxed atmosphere and service with a smile can all be found at this homely eatery on Szeged’s picturesque Klauzál Tér. True to its name, pizza and pasta are the primary dishes served here and their reputation in the city is pretty much unrivalled.
A city centre eatery serving up a mixture of international and Hungarian cuisine, this is the place to go for rustic, home-style cooking in a cosy environment. A log fire in winter and outdoor terrace during summer add to the inviting atmosphere, making this a restaurant for all seasons. Classic favourites such as goulash share space on the menu with internationally influenced cuisine, and portions are generously sized – so come hungry!
Hungarian cuisine with an international twist, accompanied by a selection of interesting local wines from the restaurant’s cellar, can be found at this tavern-style basement restaurant. Both intimate and elegant, it’s a popular place for romantic meals and special occasions and there’s also a business lunch menu for hungry diners who want a more affordable, quick option mid-day.
CIRMI Kézműves Gasztrokocsma, Szeged | Courtesy of Cirmi Gastropub
Burgers bigger than your head and a menu of hearty fare means nobody goes hungry at the relaxed local gastropub that is Cirmi. Delicious desserts, quirky interior decorations (a wall made of suitcases is just one example) and an outdoor beer garden in which to spend those long sunny summer days are just a few more reasons why this is one of Szeged’s best places to eat.
You’ve eaten all the burgers you can, tasted the local specialties, and are craving something a little more…exotic. If this is the case, Taj Mahal has got your back! Fresh, well-prepared Indian/Pakistani dishes are complemented by friendly service and a cosy setting. Many of Szeged’s restaurants are meat-centric, so vegetarians will appreciate the plentiful meat-free options available here.
The Restaurant at the Old Bridge isone of the best places in the city to taste authentic Hungarian cuisine at a reasonable price. Its traditional interior invites diners to relax and enjoy the unpretentious, homely atmosphere with strings of paprika and garlic adorning the walls, and a laid-back style of service. Food is hearty and generously portioned – the Szegedi Halászlé is well worth a try, while there’s also plenty of beef, pork and poultry dishes to tempt hungry diners.
