Best Burgers in Budapest

Budapest's love for burgers has grown into something amazing. Burger places have opened all across the city. Local chefs have taken this American food and added Hungarian touches.

Top 25 Places
Burger Map
Beer Pairings
Late Night
Smash Burgers

Top 25 Burger Spots

Our list of the top 25 burger spots is curated using an algorithm that analyzes data from Google Maps and online review sentiments. This list is updated weekly, and you can view all the restaurants on our burger map.

Burger Map

Best Burger & Beer Pairings

Budapest's craft beer scene has grown alongside its burger culture, creating amazing pairing opportunities. Many local pubs offer a wide selection of small-batch Hungarian beers that go perfectly with burgers.

Here are some classic pairings with a focus on local Hungarian craft beers:

Spicy burgers: A hoppy Hungarian IPA, such as those from Monyó Brewing Co. or Mad Scientist Brewery, cuts through the heat.
Lighter burgers with fresh vegetables: A crisp Hungarian wheat beer (búzasör), like a Zirci Apátsági Búzasör, or a Kölsch-style ale from a local craft brewery, won't overpower delicate flavors.
Rich burgers with blue cheese or mushrooms: A Hungarian stout or porter, perhaps from Fóti Sörfőzde, complements the earthy, savory notes.
Classic cheeseburgers: A Hungarian amber lager, such as a Dreher Classic, is a versatile choice.

The combination of Budapest's thriving craft beer scene and its exceptional burgers creates a fantastic culinary experience.

Vegan & Vegetarian Options

Budapest's burger scene now also caters to plant-based diets, with several excellent options:

Fini'z on Ráday utca offers "free-from" burgers with gluten-free buns and vegan cheese, making them a good choice for people with various dietary restrictions. Their commitment to inclusivity means everyone can enjoy a quality burger, regardless of their dietary needs.

Most major burger places in Budapest now offer at least one vegetarian option, and many make their own plant-based patties instead of using pre-made ones. This attention to quality ensures that plant-based diners don't feel like an afterthought.

Late-Night Burgers

After enjoying Budapest's famous nightlife, having good late-night food options is essential. Luckily, several excellent burger spots stay open into the early hours.

Burger Market, at the lower end of Király utca, is perfectly located for late-night revelers heading home or to the next bar. It can get crowded with tourists, but the quality of the burgers makes any short wait worthwhile. They offer towering burgers and tacos.

Zing Burger has two locations open late: their Király Street location offers Street Burger and Guitar Hero burgers until 2 am on Thursdays and 4 am on weekends. This makes them a reliable choice for late-night dining.

For those in Pest, options like Két Szerecsen, Menza, and Fleischer Restobar near Oktogon offer more substantial late-night dining until around 11 pm. These provide a slightly more upscale experience than typical late-night spots.

These late-night options maintain surprisingly good quality, even late into the night, and are much better alternatives to standard fast-food chains when hunger strikes after midnight.

Burger Challenges & Specials

For those looking for something beyond the standard burger experience, several Budapest establishments offer unique challenges and special offerings:

Black Cab tempts big eaters with their Giga Double Decker. It features a massive 600g of beef - so big that they suggest skipping the fries if you order it.

GoodBar GoodBurger offers a popular mini burger trio. This allows customers to sample three different flavor profiles in one meal, making it especially popular with first-time visitors and families.

Several places offer seasonal special burgers featuring ingredients like truffle, foie gras, or seasonal Hungarian produce. These provide limited-time offerings that keep regular customers coming back to discover new creations.

These special offerings add an element of fun and discovery to Budapest's burger scene. They encourage diners to explore beyond their usual preferences.

Local vs. International Chains

Budapest's burger landscape is dominated by local businesses rather than international chains. This reflects the city's entrepreneurial spirit and food pride:

Local establishments like Bamba Marha, Tuning Burger, and Black Cab represent the height of Hungarian burger craftsmanship. These locally-owned businesses have developed their concepts specifically for local tastes.

Simon's Burger expresses a clear philosophy about bringing "the world's best hamburger to Hungary." This shows how local entrepreneurs have embraced international burger culture while maintaining a distinctly Hungarian identity.

Zing Burger's growth from a food truck to eight Budapest locations demonstrates the success potential for local concepts that maintain quality as they expand.

While international chains like Hard Rock Cafe and the usual fast-food giants maintain a presence in Budapest, they're generally not considered part of the city's quality burger scene.

The dominance of local concepts speaks to the creativity of Hungarian restaurant owners.

What is a Smash Burger?

A smash burger is a type of hamburger where the ground beef is pressed very thin on a hot griddle when it starts cooking. This creates a patty with a crispy, browned surface and a juicy interior.

This method creates a unique texture, with crispy edges contrasting with the juicy center. The increased surface area that comes into contact with the hot cooking surface is key to developing that delicious crust.

To get a taste of an excellent smash burger in downtown Budapest, check out these spots:

Smashy Burger: Known for their focus on the smash burger technique, delivering a classic, no-frills experience with perfectly crisped patties.
Buddy's Burger: A local favorite that serves up delicious smash burgers with a variety of toppings and sides.
Fini'z: While also offering "free-from" options, Fini'z does a great smash burger.
Simon's Burger: This spot prides itself on bringing a world-class burger experience to Budapest, and their smash burgers are a testament to that.
Bamba Marha Burger: A popular chain in Budapest, Bamba Marha is known for its quality ingredients, and their smash burger is no exception.
Smash Lab Burgers: This place is dedicated to the art of the smash burger.