There are seven Michelin star restaurants in Budapest, as well as 30 others that are recommended by the Michelin Guide.

These are quintessential Hungarian dishes you should try in Budapest: Goulash (gulyás), Fisherman’s soup (Halászlé), Pörkölt (stew), Paprikás (a stew with a lot of sweet paprika and tejföl), Lángos, Töltött Káposzta (stuffed cabbage leaves), Főzelék, Chimney Cake (Kürtös Kalács), and Túrógombóc. Find out more about them in our blog.

Almost all Budapest restaurants have a service charge included in a bill. Usually it’s between 10 and 15 percent. So when choosing a dish, keep in mind that you have to add that amount to the price listed on the menu. If you want to tip extra anyway, you can, but it’s not necessary.

A typical Hungarian breakfast is not much different from the rest of the European continent, but it has some local twists. Scrambled eggs are a popular option, with added onions and sausage. When the omelet is finished, some paprika is sprinkled on the top. Different cold cuts (salami, sausage, bacon) are always there, as is bread. Körözött is a popular spread made by mixing cottage cheese, sour cream, purple onions, and paprika. Fresh vegetables are always around.

Locals usually eat lunch between 12 and 2pm.

Hungarians normally eat dinner between 7 and 9 pm, and it’s the main family meal of the day.

If you order water in Budapest restaurants, you’ll get bottled water, which is not free. You can ask for tap water (which is good to drink in Hungary), but be ready for annoyed servers.

Lángos is the most popular Hungarian street food. You have to try it when in Budapest. It is a deep-fried dough—ideally crispy on the outside and soft within—drenched in oil. Classic toppings are garlic spread, sour cream, and shredded cheese. Nowadays, toppings can include chicken, Bolognese sauce, ratatouille, and even Nutella and whipped cream (don’t go near the sweet stuff if you want respect from the locals). Eat it only with your hands.

Unicum is considered to be Hungary’s national drink. It is uniquely Hungarian and has a storied history that locals are proud of. Unicum is a rich, dark bitter that is made from more than 40 herbs and spices from all over the world. Its recipe is a closely guarded (Zwack) family secret, has 40 percent alcohol, and is considered a remedy for any digestive problems. The taste is very bitter (similar to Jägermeister), so it’s not everybody’s cup of tea.

Hungarians say ‘jó étvágyat” to each other before they start their meal. It means, “Enjoy your meal!”