Every year, I look forward to the Hungarian Restaurant Awards. It’s a celebration of the people, places, and flavors that make dining out in Hungary so exciting. The 2025 results are in, and let me tell you, the competition has never been fiercer or more delicious. So, what are Hungary’s best restaurants of 2025?

Pajta Takes the Crown

This year’s top honor goes to Pajta, a cozy spot tucked away in the village of Őriszentpéter, out in the wilds of the Őrség region. It’s not your typical fine dining temple in the city—Pajta is all about rustic charm, family warmth, and food that speaks of the land.

Pajta won the title of the best Hungarian restaurant 2025

The story behind Pajta is as good as the food. Flóra and Ferenc Kvasznicza, the owners, took a leap of faith and traded Budapest’s busy restaurant scene for life in the countryside. Their adventurous spirit shows up in every dish, thanks in large part to head chef István Akács. He brings years of experience from both local and international kitchens, crafting menus that are fresh, seasonal, and always rooted in tradition, with a nod to Scandinavian simplicity.

A Shoutout to Stand

While Pajta took home the big prize, let’s not forget about Stand. For the fourth year running, it’s claimed the “Best of the Best” award. That’s no small feat—Stand is basically a legend in the Hungarian food world now, and anyone who’s eaten there knows why.

More Than Just One Winner

The awards aren’t just about picking the best overall. They shine a light on all sorts of talent and creativity.

Alelí Budapest won “Most Loveable Restaurant.” If you love Italian food with a Hungarian twist (and who doesn’t?), this place is for you. It’s friendly, welcoming, and the food is bursting with flavor.

SALT took home the “Sustainable Restaurant” prize. Their approach is all about honoring local ingredients and thinking about the environment—plus, their take on Hungarian flavors is truly unique.

Anyukám Mondta in Encs was named the home of Hungary’s best pizza. They blend Italian tradition with Hungarian heart, and every slice tells a story.

Pizza from Anyukám Mondta

Hungary’s Best Restaurants of 2025

Here’s the full list of this year’s must-visit spots:

1. Platán Gourmet Étterem (Tata)
2. Rumour by Jenő Rácz
3. 42 Restaurant (Esztergom)
4. SALT
5. Babel Budapest
6. Essência Restaurant – Tiago & Éva
7. Sauska 48 (Villány)
8. Borkonyha (Wine Kitchen)
9. Costes Downtown
10. Spago Budapest by Wolfgang Puck
11. Costes Restaurant

Some Standout Places Worth Mentioning

A few of these restaurants really deserve a closer look. Platán Gourmet Étterem, for instance, sits right by Lake Tata, and chef István Pesti serves up tasting menus that change with the seasons—many ingredients come straight from their own garden.

Rumour by Jenő Rácz is another favorite of mine. Dining here feels like being part of a show, with an open kitchen and a real sense of theatre in every plate.

Rumour by Jenő Rácz is among Hungary’s best restaurants in 2025

42 Restaurant in Esztergom is a newer spot but has made quite a name for itself, especially with its creative tasting menus.

And then there’s SALT, where chef Szilárd Tóth isn’t afraid to experiment—fermentation, foraged ingredients, and jars of preserves line the walls. It feels like eating at a friend’s kitchen, if your friend happened to be a culinary genius.

Babel Budapest and Essência both bring a bit of international flair to local ingredients, while Sauska 48 in Villány is where you want to go if you love wine as much as you love food.

Borkonyha, Costes Downtown, and Costes Restaurant remain the pillars of Budapest’s fine dining scene, while Spago brings a bit of Hollywood sparkle to the city.

Why These Awards Matter

These awards (Hungary’s best restaurants of 2025) aren’t just about fancy meals or famous chefs. They celebrate everyone who puts their heart into making Hungarian food exciting, from the people growing vegetables to the ones pouring your wine. Good service, sustainability, and creativity all matter just as much as what’s on your plate.

If you’re a food lover planning a trip to Hungary—or you’re local and just looking for your next great meal—these are the places to watch in 2025. Every single one of them is worth the trip.

Bon appétit! Or as we say here, jó étvágyat!