8 romantic restaurants in Budapest for the best date night

The Hungarian capital of Budapest is full of romantic attractions like Buda Castle and the meandering Danube River, so it stands to reason that it would also be a hotspot for romantic restaurants. At night, when the city is lit up and the river is shimmering, Budapest can give uber-romantic cities like Paris and Rome a run for their money.

You may think that you'll be in for strictly Hungarian restaurants in Budapest, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Of course, you can opt for Hungarian cuisine, but the city also offers plenty of world flavors. You can take a world tour from the city's dining rooms, eating French, Japanese, and Chinese cuisine.

Budapest romantic restaurants aren't hard to come by. If you have time (and room in the budget), why not try at least a couple? Start your culinary tour of the city off right by heading to a Bounce luggage storage facility in Budapest, where you can drop off any unneeded bags. You'll probably be dressing up for your night out, and a large backpack or heavy suitcase won't complement your look.

Here are our recommendations for the perfect evening at the best romantic restaurants in Budapest:

Laurel Budapest

Often present on the list of the top 10 restaurants in Budapest, Laurel offers a fine dining experience with tastes of Asian, French, and Hungarian cuisine. The restaurant is also recognized in the Michelin guide and specializes in tasting menus for dinner. They even have one tasting menu that's entirely vegan. The tasting menu will set you back the equivalent of about $130, and if you want wine because it's a special occasion, that's an additional $75 per person.

At Laurel, they take wine very seriously. Their head sommelier is a two-time Hungarian champion, and the curated wine list is over 10 pages long. They will happily provide you with a recommendation or two, but if this seems a little intimidating, your safest bet is the wine pairing that accompanies the tasting menu.

Inside, the green velvet armchairs will make you feel instantly relaxed, and the greenery scattered around the restaurant adds an organic touch, so nothing is stuffy here.

Our recommendation:

Reservations are recommended here, and you can make them easily online. Additionally, there is no dress code, so if you haven't packed anything fancy to wear, just show up as you are. The Laurel staff just want you to be comfortable.

Location:

Budapest, Kertész u. 29, 1073

Price level:

$$$

Bobo Restaurant

Glamour and romance exude from Bobo Restaurant, located on the Buda side of the city in a beautifully refurbished chateau. This may seem like a traditional Hungarian restaurant, but the local cuisine is modernized here with fresh takes on veal paprikash, schnitzel, and foie gras.

The estate that houses the restaurant has a picturesque garden, and as long as the weather is favorable, the staff will always seat you outside first. In the winter, it's not exactly a hardship to be seated in the impressive (and contemporary) dining room.

You might be wondering where the name of this fine-dining restaurant comes from. If so, it's an amalgamation of two terms - bourgeois and bohemian. This term was coined by author David Brooks to represent the new 21st-century upper middle class.

Our recommendation:

The roast duck leg confit is a must for any fan of this type of meat. Otherwise, choose something safe like the chicken paprikash or the forest mushroom tagliatelle for vegetarians. Most mains are under $20, so you can splurge on a selection of tapas or water buffalo tartare to start.

Location:

1022, Marczibányi tér 7, 1022

Price level:

$$

SHO Restaurant & Bar

When you want one of the classically romantic restaurants in Budapest, head to SHO Restaurant. The interior is warm and large enough to get some privacy. Expect lots of wood, lanterns, and lovely big windows.

This spot is definitely one for meat eaters. But you don't have to have the standard chicken or beef. Menu highlights include the glazed octopus with confit beans and smoked egg, the breaded rabbit ribs, and the charcoal grilled mackerel.

Every main dish here is under US$20, so this option is both affordable and impressive, like many others in the city.

Our recommendation:

Aside from the meaty dishes mentioned above, you can actually get a tasty meat-free option here, too, that is highly recommended. Go for the chestnut and Jerusalem artichoke risotto with fried mushrooms. And for dessert, you can't go wrong with the Black Forest cake.

Location:

Budapest, Buda-part tér 3, 1117

Price level:

$$

Nobu

Most North Americans are familiar with the exclusive restaurant chain Nobu. This Japanese cuisine institution also now has a location in Budapest close to the shores of the Danube between the Chain Bridge and the Elisabeth Bridge. Do keep in mind, though, that if you want to have your date night here, prepare to shell out a pretty penny (or Forint). The best bang for your buck at Nobu is likely one of their tasting menus because ordering a la carte can really add up.

The menus are extensive here, so you might have trouble steering your date to the tasting menu, which is roughly US$120 per person for four courses. Regardless of what you end up ordering, you can be sure that it will be plated beautifully and served professionally.

The interior at Nobu is both modern and stylish, with warm touches in the form of dim lighting, wood tables, and jewel-tone tiles. There is a nice separation between tables for extra privacy, and the impressive bar area is visible from many of them.

Our recommendation:

Definitely the omakase tasting menu.

Location:

Budapest, Erzsébet tér 7-8, 1051

Price level:

$$$$

Caviar & Bull Budapest

A little further away from the Danube but still in the City Center of Budapest, adjacent to the Corinthia Hotel, is Caviar & Bull. The owner and chef, Marvin Gauci, has a successful restaurant in Malta and decided to bring his culinary talent to the Hungarian capital as well. Anyone looking for romantic restaurants in Budapest will be glad he did.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a restaurant in Budapest with a more deliberate and unique decor. Expect brass bullheads on the walls, comfortable chairs, an eye-catching black and gold bar area, and classic white tablecloths. And that's without even mentioning the food.

They have a contemporary degustation menu with seven courses for $80 or an eight-course cosmopolitan menu for around $100 per person that's seafood-heavy. One thing to note is that if you go for one of these menus, everyone at the table, meaning you and your date, have to have the same one.

Our recommendation:

The menu here features somewhat international cuisine but with a definite Mediterranean influence. As you may have already guessed, if you're ordering a la carte, regardless of what else you order, you have to get the caviar. As one of the house specialties, it would be a shame to pass this up. If you're not an expert, go for some middle ground with the Osietra caviar from the Caspian sea sturgeon.

Location:

Budapest, Erzsébet krt. 43-49, 1073

Price level:

$$$$

Párisi Passage Café & Brasserie

No list of Budapest romantic restaurants would be complete without an entry that serves French food. The rich sauces, expertly cut cooked meats, and sinful desserts just seem to scream romance. When you or your date are looking for an evening of French cuisine in the city, head to Párisi Passage Café & Brasserie. But don't let the name fool you; they also serve a mix of other foods here too, like Hungarian cuisine and dishes from other European countries.

Located in the Párisi Udvar Hotel, the setting and decor of this restaurant are almost unbelievable. To say that the interior is ornate would be an understatement. Lots of gold, high ceilings, a cozy bar area, and countless other touches combine to make this place magical. Surprisingly, all this magic is still not too expensive, but this place is very popular, so make advance reservations if you can.

Our recommendation:

Keep things French and go with the flap steak bourguignon served with mashed potatoes. Consider starting your meal with the French onion soup or the fried duck liver to keep the theme going.

Location:

Budapest, Ferenciek tere 10, 105

Price level:

$$$

SALT Budapest

SALT is proud to have a well-earned Michelin star for their efforts in bringing traditional Hungarian dishes to discerning diners with a focus on fresh herbs and wild plants. This is a good option for a first date or if you don't know your dinner companion well. The chef's worktop is located in the middle of the restaurant, so there's always something to distract to help any nerves. The goal with this is to keep the chef approachable, so you can even ask questions if you want.

They make their own bread, juices, and countless other components that go into every meal here. Since everything is so good here, it's worth treating yourselves to the decadent 15-course tasting menu here for around $120 per person. When you break it down by course, it almost seems like a bargain. In fact, because it is the only thing on the menu, you won't have any other choice.

Our recommendation:

This eatery is not large, and with its Michelin star and status in the discovery section on the list of the 50 best restaurants in the world, everyone is dying to eat here. As you can imagine, this means that reservations are required. And, if you're making a reservation, you can also specify dietary requirements, like vegan or vegetarian, for the tasting menu.

Location:

Hotel Rum Budapest, Királyi Pál u. 4, 1053

Price level:

$$$

Rezkakas

Also called the Fisherman's Bastion Restaurant, this upscale bistro is ideal for a cozy date night. Focusing on local flavors and presenting them expertly and colorfully, Rezkakas is a perfect date night option. This restaurant is also one of the livelier on our list of the best romantic restaurants in Budapest. In addition to great food, they have live gypsy music on some nights. When you make a reservation, you can ask which nights are available with live music.

They have a bunch of Hungarian wines to try here, so if that's something you and your date enjoy, Rezkakas can accommodate. Pair your wine with the Hungarian farmer's platter for two people for a light meal perfect for sharing.

Our recommendation:

The signature dish here is that for a reason. It combines all the best ingredients and is quite affordable. It's called the Mangalitza Cordon Bleu and comes with aged ham, brie, mashed potatoes, and marinated vegetables. At least one of you should definitely order this.

Location:

Budapest, Sas u 3, 1051

Price level:

$$$

Conclusion

The romantic restaurants in Budapest are quite easy to find and much more affordable than in other European capitals like Paris and London. Many of these restaurants feature international cuisine or Hungarian cuisine, or a mix of the two. You should also consider hitting up one of Budapest's rooftop bars for a few drinks either before or after your romantic dinner. There's no better way to keep the fun going, that's for sure.

To make sure there is room in your budget to try a few of these romantic places, opt to dine on some of the tasty street food vendors in the city for your other meals. But, if you only make it to one of these restaurants, you're still luckier than many others who only dream of coming to this amazing city.