The Best Restaurants in District I, Budapest

Overlooked by the grand green copper dome of Buda Castle, the Várkert – or Castle Garden – makes for a lovely stroll in the evening. Bárkert is a high-walled, high-windowed swanky but unpretentious bistro attached to these gardens. The surrounding area is mostly pedestrianised and has very little traffic, which is handy since the terrace of Bárkert means its blend of international and Hungarian cuisines can be enjoyed in the sun without disruption.

A Michelin star doesn’t have to mean stuffy waiters and showy dishes, and that’s something Csalogány 26 proves spectacularly. Its food is simple yet elegant in a setting that is equally so. It’s particularly worth trying the tasting menu with wine to really experience everything the restaurant can provide, especially since it stocks some often hidden Hungarian winemakers in its stores.

With three menus to choose from – Evolution, Inspiration and Tradition – the menu at this quaint restaurant in the Castle District is one of the more interesting thanks to their different styles. Alabárdos aims to present a taste of Hungary from before the arrival of paprika, utilising the likes of saffron, ginger and simple pepper – but presented with a modern spin. It’s an elegant set of dishes, made all the more inviting thanks to its outdoor seating in a quaint side street.

With the master chef of Marc Meneau – winner of two Michelin stars – in charge of this place, you can be sure any of its menu items will be prepared with perfection. But even more alluring than Pavillon de Paris’s Hungarian-French cuisine is its location, creating a sense of a secret garden, near the Danube but hidden away in a delicately draped courtyard and sheltered from the world.

With its history as the first cafe to open to those on the Buda side, Dérnyé has a lot to live up to. But boy does it manage it. A loose but eclectic decor gives the interior a unique feeling; great, attentive staff; and a selection of dishes that is at once varied and intricately put together. Many would rather visit here at lunch, but with a special menu for breakfast up until 11:30 it may be worth considering two visits while staying in Budapest.