6 of the Best Burgers in Budapest

By Tas TóbiásLast updated: Apr. 23, 2024

Budapest is far removed from the global capitals of burgerdom, so if you grew up eating In-N-Out Double Doubles or ShackBurgers, you may feel underwhelmed by the local offerings. But several Budapest burger joints have been perfecting their craft, so you may be in for a surprise if you keep your expectations in check.

#1 Smashy Budapest

I’m usually lukewarm about places in Budapest and Vienna that simply imitate a big international trend without much forethought or a local angle. I have to make an exception with Smashy because its burgers are so delicious. What differentiates smashed burgers from regular burgers is the flattened patty, which enables a greater surface area to turn nicely charred and crunchy. That’s exactly what Smashy does, then simply enclosing it in a soft bun layered with melted cheese and a homemade sauce. Yum!

#2 Simon's Burger (Vitkovics Mihály utca)

A strange and somewhat cringeworthy America-worship imbues every aspect of Simon’s Burger, a small chain of burger restaurants in downtown Budapest. The menu, for example, is available only in English and the founder's manifesto is emblazoned in all-caps on the wall: “According to Simon, there’s just one hamburger, what he ate in America.”

Let's pretend we didn't see that, because Simon's burgers are among the best I've had in Budapest. Far from Shake Shack-level, but a very enjoyable burger with a juicy and crunchy patty, enclosed by a soft bun. Be sure to go to their branch in Vitkovics Mihály utca, one of the most charming streets of downtown Budapest. Note: prices are high by local standards.

#3 Bamba Marha Burger Bar (Andrássy)

Let’s get the awkward part out of the way: one of the co-owners of Bamba Marha fashions himself as Hungary's “burger pope,” a curiously narcissistic title, especially in a country where hamburgers don't run very deep. This shouldn’t necessarily deter you from visiting Bamba Marha, a small burger chain in Budapest, as their cheeseburgers are solid and among the best in Budapest – a nicely charred 130 gram / 4.6 ounce patty enclosed by a sesame bun and garnished with cheddar, lettuce, tomato, red onions, and a slathering of sauce. Also good is the double-bacon burger, layering strips of crisped-up bacon. For a small premium, you can upgrade any burger to be made with an Angus patty.

#4 Kandalló Pub

Part burger restaurant, part sports bar, part craft beer bar, Kandalló in Budapest's Jewish Quarter wears many hats. The burgers are solid; from the dozen or so burger options, I recommend you stick to the classic cheeseburger or, if you'd like to splurge, try the grilled foie gras-studded "Kandalló" burger. The 16 beer taps feature leading Hungarian microbreweries, including Monyo, Horizont, Brew Your Mind, and Reketye. On Sunday evenings, Kandalló becomes a haven for NFL fans, displaying games on big screens; advance booking is a must if you'd like to join the throngs of local American football fans.

#5 Bölcső Bar & Food

Bölcső may not have the deepest craft beer selections in Budapest, nor does it sling In-N-Out-level Double-Doubles, but the combination of above-average beers and burgers makes this lively neighborhood joint a worthy destination. Once here, you'll also get to experience a charming Buda neighborhood on the less-traveled side of the city. Being in Buda means that the patrons are mainly locals, especially thirty-plus millennials with a taste for craft beers.

There are 16 rotating beers on tap, sourced mainly from top Hungarian microbreweries and featuring everything from IPAs to lagers, porters, and sour beers. The burgers are tasty but they tend to undercook the patties so go a notch above your desired degree of doneness: ask for medium-well if you’re looking for medium.

#6 Big Daddy Burger Bar

For a deeply local experience, trek out to Big Daddy Burger in the south of Budapest, located a half-hour away from downtown by bus. Flanked by drab communist-era high-rises lies this flimsy wooden shack, painted in red, white and blue. The kitschy 'Merican decor – I'm not sure whether it's meant ironically or not – features plenty of tchotchkes and decorative license plates from Texas, Florida, and Missouri.

Big Daddy's burgers are very tasty, in part because they come in smaller and squishier buns than elsewhere in Budapest, making for an ideal patty-to-bun ratio. The default doneness level is just over medium, but you can specify how you want yours cooked. Of the 28 options, you might also like the “Még egy kis hús – bacon burger” packing cheddar and strips of crispy bacon. Another reason to journey out to Big Daddy is the price points, which are about half of what you'll need to cough up in downtown.