Last Updated on January 19, 2025 by Goya
Discover the Michelin Starred Restaurants in Budapest
If there’s one thing Budapest does better than stunning architecture and relaxing thermal baths, it’s food.
Not just any food! With seven Michelin-starred restaurants, Budapest has recently emerged as a culinary powerhouse — making it a must-visit for anyone who takes their meals as seriously as their sightseeing.
Over the years, I’ve had the chance to dine at some of Budapest’s finest Michelin-starred spots — a few of which, sadly, are no longer around. But the 2025 lineup is stronger than ever, and I can’t wait to share it with you!
From elevated Hungarian classics to bold, boundary-pushing gastronomy, these restaurants showcase some of Europe’s finest dining experiences.
So if you’re planning a trip to Budapest this year, here’s everything you need to know about Budapest Michelin restaurants — including insider tips and what to expect before making a reservation.
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2* Michelin Starred Restaurants in Budapest
Budapest’s Michelin-starred restaurants are a testament to the city’s culinary prowess. Among the celebrated dining destinations, there is one 2* Michelin-starred restaurant that offers an exceptional gastronomic experience – and that is Stand.
#1: Stand Étterem: The Gold Standard of Hungarian Fine Dining
If there’s one restaurant that defines modern Hungarian gastronomy, it’s Stand Étterem.
As Budapest’s only two-Michelin-starred restaurant, Stand is where traditional Hungarian flavours meet contemporary techniques, turning dishes like goulash and paprika chicken into masterpieces of fine dining.
From its central glass-walled kitchen to the dining room that surrounds it and the lively atmosphere that is only enhanced by personable service — this restaurant has it all.
Here, at Stand Restaurant (or Stand Étterem for locals), the experienced chefs put Hungarian tradition at the heart of their cooking, reinventing classic dishes with fresh techniques sure to delight taste buds in an unfolding medley of wonderful flavours and textures throughout your meal.
💡 Pro Tip: Sure, the wine list is impressive, but don’t forget to end your meal with a rare Tokaji wine pairing — it’s a sweet, golden-hued dessert wine that’s a must-try.
👉 Want to experience Tokaji at its best? Book a wine tour here.
What to Expect in 2025
- 8-Course Menu (standard or vegetarian*): 89 500 HUF (around £180)
- Wine Pairing: 59 900 HUF (around £120)
- A 15 % service charge is added to the bill.
* While the restaurant cannot offer vegan, milk protein-free or soy-free menus; gluten-free and lactose-free menus are available.
Address: 1061 Budapest Székely Mihály utca 2
Opening Times: Tuesday-Saturday, 6 PM to Midnight (last arrival at 8 PM)
Website | Instagram
1* Michelin Starred Restaurants in Budapest
As of January 2025, Budapest is home to six 1* Michelin-starred restaurants that offer unique and amazing dining experiences: Rumour, Borkonyha Winekitchen, Essência, Babel, Costes and Salt, with the last one also being the recipient of a Green Star.
#2: Rumour: Where Dining Meets Theater
After a globetrotting culinary journey, Chef Rácz Jenő has returned home with the dream of creating something special — eventually ending up with two, but more on that later!
At Rumour, located in the heart of the city, dining is a performance, with an open kitchen as the stage. Guests are immersed in an 11-course tasting menu, where each dish unveils flavours inspired by the chef’s travels, culminating in two exquisite desserts.
With its charismatic setting — mirrored concrete walls, red leather stools, and an eclectic soundtrack— Rumour keeps diners engaged from start to finish, each course a plot twist in an unforgettable culinary journey.
What to Expect in 2025
- 11-Course Tasting Menu*: 68.800 HUF (around £140)
- Classic Wine Selection: 38.000 HUF (around £80) | Prestige Wine Selection: 75.000 HUF (around £150)
- Looking for a more affordable way to experience Rumour Restaurant in Budapest? Then you may want to check out their Pre-Theater Menu. Available only for 5 PM bookings, this six-course menu costs 44.900 HUF (around £90) and offers a more accessible way to try the best of the best. You can, of course, add on a wine pairing for an additional cost. Note that a 15% service charge will be added to the final bill.
💡 Pro Tip: Short on time? Rumour Bar offers a hidden speakeasy experience inspired by the Prohibition Era of 1920s America. Tucked behind burgundy curtains, it features expertly crafted cocktails, plus a curated selection of rums, whiskeys, and gins. Perfect for a pre-theatre drink or a relaxed evening!
Address: 1052 Budapest, Petőfi tér 3-5
Opening Times: Tuesday-Saturday, 5 to 11 PM
Website | Instagram
#3: Borkonyha Winekitchen: A Wine Lover’s Dream
Wine lovers, this one’s for you!
Tucked away just footsteps from the enchanting Basilica lies a hidden gem of Hungarian cuisine: Borkonyha Winekitchen pairs Michelin-starred cuisine with an extensive wine list that features over 100 Hungarian and international labels.
It’s a relaxed yet sophisticated spot (offering also an à la carte menu), perfect for those who appreciate the finer things in life without the stiff atmosphere.
What to Expect in 2025
- 6-Course Degustation Menu: 50.000 HUF (around £100)
- Wine Pairing: 29.000 HUF (around £60) | Premium Wine Pairing: 46.000 HUF (around £90)
- Organic Juice Pairing: 12.000 HUF (around £25)
💡 Pro Tip: Follow their head pastry chef Béres Anett on Instagram for the most drool-worthy desserts and thank me later!
Address: Sas utca 3, Budapest, 1051
Opening Times: Monday-Friday, 6 PM to Midnight; Saturday: 12 PM to Midnight
Website | Instagram
#4: Essência: A Fusion of Portugal and Hungary
Essência is a Hungaro-Portuguese fusion restaurant created by Chef Tiago Sabarigo and his Hungarian wife, Éva.
Nestled in the heart of the city, its inviting front room, with charming arched windows, sets the stage for an intimate dining experience. Step further inside, and you’re greeted by a beautifully decorated space, where blue and white tiles proudly reflect Tiago’s Portuguese heritage.
Here, the couple’s personal story is reflected in every dish, blending Portuguese and Hungarian flavours into something truly special.
We had the pleasure of visiting Essência Restaurant in Budapest the Christmas of 2021, just as the world started opening up again… And we thoroughly enjoyed the wine pairing and the service, as well as the unique combination of Portuguese and Hungarian food on offer.
At the time, Essência offered three tasting menus to suit every palate: Origens, inspired by Portugal, Here at Home, celebrating Hungary, or 17th May, an intricate menu that masterfully weaved together both culinary traditions for an unforgettable experience.
Since then, they seem to have paired their menu down to two different versions of 17th May Menu.
What to Expect in 2025
17th MAY – 7 Courses
- 7-Course Tasting Menu: 52.900 HUF (around £110)
- with non-alcoholic pairing: 67.900 HUF (around £140)
- with Wine pairing: 82.900 HUF (around £170)
- with international Wine pairing: 89.900 HUF (around £180)
17th MAY – 5 Courses
- 5-Course Tasting Menu: 41.900 HUF (around £85)
- with non-alcoholic pairing: 51.900 HUF (around £105)
- with Wine pairing: 65.400 HUF (around £130)
- with international Wine pairing: 71.900 HUF (around £150)
All prices are inclusive of VAT. A total of 15% service charge will be added to your bill.
Address: Sas utca 17, Budapest, 1051, Hungary
Opening Times: Wednesday, 6 to 11 PM; Thursday-Saturday, 12 to 3 PM and 6 to 11 PM
Website | Instagram
#5: Babel: Elegance Meets Art
With a Michelin star, a Best International Restaurant of the Year award in 2017 and a reputation for being “the most beautiful restaurant in the country“, Babel is no stranger to compliments.
Lovingly restored and artfully updated by Hubert Hlatky-Schlichter, an owner with a true passion for his cosy hideaway, Babel is minimalist yet timelessly elegant.
The cuisine here reflects this amalgamation of classic Hungarian touches meeting modern refinement; delicate flavours in every dish converge together for a truly magical taste sensation that you won’t forget!
What to Expect in 2025
EXPERIENCE
- 13-Course Menu: 69.000 HUF (around £140)
- Wine Pairing: 34.500 HUF (around £70)
- Drink Pairing: 36.500 HUF (around £75)
- Juice Pairing: 34.500 HUF (around £70)
EXPLORATION
- 8-Course Menu: 55.000 HUF (around £110)
- Wine Pairing: 26.500 HUF (around £55)
- Drink Pairing: 29.500 HUF (around £60)
- Juice Pairing: 17.500 HUF (around £35)
All prices are inclusive of VAT. A 15% service charge is added to the total.
A vegan menu option is available but must be requested when booking.
Address: Piarista Köz 2, Budapest, 1052
Opening Times: Tuesday-Saturday, 6 PM to Midnight
Website | Instagram
#6: Costes: Budapest’s Michelin Star Pioneer
When it comes to Michelin dining in Budapest, Costes holds a special place — it was the first restaurant in Hungary to earn a Michelin star (then under the helm of Eszter Palagyi).
Now with the country’s prodigal son Jenő Rácz (from Rumour) as the Chef, dinner at Coster is nothing short of wonderful!
From the moment you step inside, you’re wrapped in elegance and sophistication, with stylish décor setting the mood and seamless service that makes you feel truly looked after.
And the food? It’s pure magic — colourful plates that double as art, each bite bursting with flavours that surprise and delight.
But it’s not all about the dishes — Costes’ incredible Hungarian wine selection is a show of its own, expertly presented by sommeliers who’ll have your palate dancing before your meal even begins!
What to Expect in 2025
- 6-Course Tasting Menu: 57.500 HUF (around £120)
- Wine Pairing: 35.500 HUF (around £70)
All prices are inclusive of VAT. A 15% service charge is added to the total.
A vegetarian menu option is available but must be requested when booking.
Address: Ráday utca 4, Budapest, 1092
Opening Times: Wednesday-Saturday, 5:30 to 11 PM
Website | Instagram
Michelin Starred Restaurants with Green Star
#7: Salt: Budapest’s Sustainable Michelin Star Experience
Salt in Budapest isn’t just a Michelin-starred restaurant — it’s a place where sustainability meets fine dining, earning it the prestigious Michelin Green Star for its commitment to eco-conscious practices.
From the moment you step inside, you’re in for something special. Nestled within a boutique hotel, the intimate setting is warmed by sophisticated lighting and a sense of quiet elegance.
Shelves lined with foraged and beautifully preserved fruits, vegetables, and herbs hint at the culinary journey ahead — a surprise tasting menu that reimagines traditional Hungarian recipes with a creative, modern touch.
At Salt, every bite isn’t just delicious — it’s made with purpose.
What to Expect in 2025
- 14-Course Tasting Menu: 64.500 HUF (around £130)
- Local Wine Pairing (featuring Hungarian and Carpathian wines): 32.000 HUF (around £65)
- European Wine Pairing (featuring mostly natural and organic wines): 38.000 HUF (around £75)
- Prestige Classic Wine Pairing (featuring European classics): 80.000 HUF (around £160)
- Non-Alcoholic, Homemade Juice Pairing: 22.000 HUF (around £45)
All prices are inclusive of VAT. A 15% service charge is added to the total.
A vegetarian or vegan menu option is available but must be requested when booking.
Address: Királyi Pál utca 4, Budapest, 1053, Hungary
Opening Times: Wednesday-Saturday, 6 to 11 PM
Website | Instagram
FAQs
How Many Michelin-Starred Restaurants Are There in Budapest?
As of 2025, Budapest is home to seven Michelin-starred restaurants, including one two-star restaurant (Stand Étterem) and six one-star restaurants (Rumour, Borkonyha Winekitchen, Essência, Babel, Costes, and Salt).
What Country Has the Most Michelin-Starred Restaurants?
As of the latest Michelin Guide rankings, France holds the record for the most Michelin-starred restaurants, with over 600 Michelin-starred establishments, including some of the most prestigious three-star restaurants in the world.
What is a Michelin Green Star?
A Michelin Green Star is awarded to restaurants that demonstrate exceptional commitment to sustainability. These establishments focus on eco-friendly practices, such as using local and seasonal ingredients, reducing food waste, and incorporating ethical sourcing.
Essential Tips
✔ Book early – These restaurants book up fast, especially on weekends, so secure your table as soon as possible.
✔ Dress the part – While most of these restaurants don’t have a strict dress code, smart casual is the norm — think polished but comfortable.
✔ Pair it with Hungarian wine – Try Tokaji (a legendary sweet wine) or Egri Bikavér (Bull’s Blood), a bold red with a rich history.
✔ Slow down and savour – Michelin dining is about the full experience, so take your time and enjoy every bite.
✔ Go beyond the meal – Before indulging in a Michelin-starred meal, consider a guided food tour to explore local markets, traditional Hungarian dishes, and hidden culinary gems. It’s a great way to understand the flavours and ingredients that inspire fine dining in Budapest!
🔗 Discover the Best Budapest Food Tours Here
Michelin Starred Restaurants in Budapest [Mapped]
Budapest Michelin Star Restaurants 2025
2* Michelin Starred Restaurants in Budapest
- Stand Étterem
1* Michelin Starred Restaurants in Budapest
- Rumour
- Borkonyha Winekitchen
- Essência
- Babel
- Costes
- Salt [also has a Michelin Green Star]
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply want to indulge in a memorable dining experience, visiting one of these Michelin Star Budapest restaurants is guaranteed to provide you with an unforgettable experience!
So go ahead — book that table, raise a glass of Tokaji, and get ready to experience the best of Budapest’s fine dining.
Jo étvágyat! | Bon appétit!
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