Budapest
Let’s be honest—Budapest used to be a bit of a nightmare for coeliacs. Unless you fancied plain meat and salad, your options were limited. But things have seriously levelled up in the last few years, and now? Budapest is actually a bit of a gluten free dream.
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There are several proper dedicated gluten free bakeries & restaurants serving both modern and traditional Hungarian cuisine. I went hunting for the safest, tastiest, most coeliac-friendly spots around the city—and this guide has all my top finds.
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So if you’re heading to Budapest and want to eat something other than protein bars and emergency rice cakes, you’re in the right place. Let’s get you fed!
Here's a list of the places I visted and loved, at the bottom of the page there's a handy map, and below is a video if you'd like to hear more about my trip!
Gluten Free Restaurants
A completely gluten free restaurant in heart of the city that specialises in traditional homemade Hungarian Cuisine - I'm talking about Paprikash, Goulash, Túrógombóc + much more. This was my favourite spot in Budapest for dinner, the portion sizes were huge, the staff were very kind, and everything was extremely delicious. This is a family run business that's been around since 1975, and you can really feel that when you step inside.
Nearest Tube: Close to Deák Ferenc Square, nearest metro is Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út
Price per meal: Mains are around £12-£20
Booking required: It's recommended
Other Dietary Requirements: Lactose free & vegetarian available,
Recommendation: I had their specialty - borzas finomsaga rizibizivel, which was incredible!
Link to video! (coming soon)
Another gluten free restaurant in Budapest with a variety of foods. There is traditional food like goulash, paprikash, but also burgers, schnitzel, quesadillas, and pasta. I went in and had their goulash, which was on the starter/soup menu but was enough for me after a big day of eating Hungarian portions, and it was very tasty. The dessert however, blew me away. I had the Chocolate Praline Cake, which had layers of chocolately goodness, and a huge chunk of praline in the middle. It was served with raspberry sorbet and was absolutely grgeous.
Nearest Tube: Nearest metro is Arany János utca
Price per meal: Mains are around £12-£20
Booking required: It's recommended
Other Dietary Requirements: Lactose free & vegetarian available,
Recommendation: Chocolate Praliné Cake with Raspberry Sorbet
Link to video! (coming soon)
Other Gluten Free Restaurants (that I didn't get to try)
Gluten Free Langos
As far as I could tell, there is only one place in Budapest that serves gluten free langos. If you haven't heard of langos, it's one of the most traditional street foods that you'll find in the Hungary. It's deep fried bread, generally covered in sour cream and cheese + your choice of other toppings... what's not to love! At Retro Langos, there is a gluten free menu and separate area for the gluten free ones to be made. Actually, fun fact - the guy that runs Bohemtanya actually helped Retro Langos make it more coeliac safe! It takes a little loonger for the gf ones to be made, but that's fine with me! This is definitely a must visit if you're in the city!
Nearest Tube: Nearest metro is Arany János utca
Price per meal: Langos are between £5-£13
Booking required: No!
Other Dietary Requirements: Lactose free & vegan available
Recommendation: Go with an empty stomach - they're huge!
Gluten Free Bakeries
One of the O.G gluten free bakeries in Budapest that I think has gotten better since my last visit. They have a huge range of breads & bagels, as well as pastries, twists, and sweet bits. While I was there I tried their vanilla chocolate swirl which I loved, and their cheese croissant, which I also loved, but it didn't have a flakey texture, it was more like choux pastry (but very very tasty nonetheless). One another day I went in to grab on of their sandwiches which is a great option as a grab-and-go if you don't know you'll be near anywhere you can eat while sightseeing!
Nearest Tube: Close to the Dohány Street Synagogue, closest station is Astoria
Price: Most items are around £3
Other Dietary Requirements: Lactose free & vegan available
Recommendation: The sweet swirl/rolls
Link to video!
This is probably my favourite gluten free bakery I visited in Budapest. It's on the Buda side of the river, and a bit further away from the main tourists site but I would absolutely say it's worth the small detour. It's only a tiny bakery, but the shelves are stocked with all sorts of gluten free goodies. It's also right next to Millenáris Park, if you want to sit and relax somewhere nice for a moment.
Nearest Tube: Closest station is Széll Kálmán tér M
Price: Most items are around £3
Other Dietary Requirements: Lactose free & vegan available
Recommendation: Cruffin! Nice coffee too.
Link to video!
This spot is half bakery/half mini supermarket/half bistro (excuse the poor fractions). The first thing you'll notice when you walk in is the shelves stocked full of all sorts of gluten free goodies, sweets, treats, cookies, cakes, flours, breads, stocks, it's a good place to go if you are struggling to find what you need in the supermarkets. They also have a lovely range of baked goods and pastry, I really enjoyed their ham & cheese croissant. And finally, they are also a good lunch spot, offering burgers, pizza, and pancakes too!
Nearest Tube: Closest station is Nyugati pályaudvar
Price: Lunch items are from £3 - £8
Other Dietary Requirements: Lactose free & vegan available
Recommendation: I only tried the croissant, but I wish I had some of their hot food!
Link to video!
Not only is this place gluten free, it's also sugar-free, lactose-free, dairy-free, egg-free, paleo and vegan! Here, you'll find all sorts of delicacies. Mostly specialising in sweet things, this place is more patisserie vibes, with cakes, cookies, and beautiful slices available, as well as a range of specialty drinks. I only got some cookies while I was there, but you wouldn't have know they were free from any of the things listed above. Wish I couldn't have tried more things here.
Nearest Tube: Closest station is Oktogon
Price: Most items are from £3 - £5
Other Dietary Requirements: Lactose free & vegan available
Recommendation: I only tried the cookies, but I wish I had some of their cakes!
Link to video!
Gluten Free Chimney Cake
There's only one place I know of that offers gluten free Chimney Cakes, another specialty of Hungary. The place is called Édes Mackó which operates out of Városliget (City Park). They only offer gluten free chimney cakes or Wednesday & Friday, and the first weekend of every month. Sadly I didn't get a chance to try them so I can't speak on their safety or deliciousness, but I have heard good things from my gluten free friends! If you go, like always, please make sure to ask your questions to make sure it's safe for you! And if it is, send me a picture so I can jealous that you got one!