Gluten-Free Budapest: A Celiac’s Guide 2024

I used to pick vacation destinations based on how gluten-free-friendly they were; it was a great tactic when I was learning to travel gluten-free. Italy was high on my list. Budapest was nowhere to be found. That was a mistake. Budapest is a gluten-free heaven and I had NO IDEA. I’m sure you didn’t either.

Add Budapest to the very top of your bucket list of destinations. I’m about to give you so many reasons you won’t regret it!

Fun fact about me: I don’t love eating at super pricey places. So, most of the restaurants on my list are quite reasonable. I don’t seek out Michelin-star restaurants. I look at restaurants away from tourist areas. My goal is to be the only tourist in the restaurant.

Just remember, my celiac isn’t your celiac or gluten-free journey (or anyone else’s). Some of the things I’m comfortable with, you may not be, and you may have a different experience with the restaurants than I did. I hope you do because I had a great experience! But, you do you, no judgment and no pressure. I hope to shed some insight to make your planning easier.

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Why Budapest’s Gluten-free scene blew me away

I always do a quick check of restaurants and food in a city before I book lodging. I’m mostly checking to see if I need a check or if there are enough restaurants that are reasonably safe for me to be okay without one.

There aren’t many places where I’m bold enough to go without a kitchen.

Looking at Budapest there were so many gluten-free options. More than that, there are more dedicated gluten-free restaurants and bakeries than you could eat at in the time you’d spend visiting.

How has the gluten-free heaven that is Budapest been so under the radar?

I don’t know. But, I’ve been telling everyone I know about this little gluten-free gem.

Gluten-Free Restaurants in Buda

Buda is on top of the hill in Budapest. This is where you’ll find Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, and Buda Castle. There are some great sites here but there aren’t as many dedicated gluten-free restaurants; at least not as many that are close to the tourist sites.

There are several gluten-free friendly restaurants but I only ate at one since I was going to the best possible restaurants.

Franziska

1011 Budapest, Iskola utca 29
Vegan-Friendly Cafe with Breakfast & Lunch

Franziska isn’t dedicated gluten-free. I went because I saw there were smoothie bowls on the menu. These are some of my favorite things to search out when traveling since they are pretty easy to make gluten-free and the freshness is always nice. Much of the food I was eating was heavy so I wanted something lighter.

I checked out their menu and saw they marked gluten-free items on the menu so I knew they’d have some knowledge of what I needed. I asked more questions on my first visit. They mark “gluten-free ingredients” on the menu out of caution. You’ll notice that much of their menu is free from gluten-containing ingredients. I asked questions about the house-made granola to confirm it was actually gluten-free and was delighted to get to eat it! They would have left it off for me if I wasn’t comfortable.

After I asked questions I felt great about going back a second time to try the special waffle! It was exciting.

This was definitely the biggest risk I took in Budapest. It didn’t feel that risky for me but it may be different for you.

Other Options in Buda

Some other options in Buda could be safe but I didn’t try them. I ate at the dedicated restaurants that I knew were safe. I decided there were better options that were worth taking some extra buses.

So, that would be my recommendation to you: plan to travel to great food because it’s worth it.

Gluten-Free Restaurants in Pest

Monkey’s

Address: Dob u. 6, 1072 Hungary 1072a
What you’ll find: A little bit of everything. Great for Dinner.

Monkey’s is arguably the best restaurant I have eaten at. Definitely, since my celiac diagnosis if not ever.

Google indicates it may be closed but their Facebook indicates they are still going strong and that’s what they use.

The owner is the one who will be serving you. She and the chef are celiac and they put a lot of energy into making amazing food. They take great pride in it and it shows.

She is also personable and so fun. Getting to know her was one of the best parts of visiting Monkey’s so many times.

On our first visit, she asked if there were any special diets or allergies. Out of habit, I responded that I was celiac. She laughed good-naturedly and responded with “Well, you aren’t special here.”

I almost cried. How nice to not be special when you go out to a restaurant? Such a celiac problem.

I can recommend the Mexican burger, the apple crepe, and the lemonade. But, pro tip, ask her for recommendations! She didn’t steer us wrong and some of our favorites were her favorites. It just took us multiple visits to find them when we should’ve just asked.

The hamburger bun is the best one I’ve had anywhere. It doesn’t crumble. If it wasn’t a dedicated gluten-free restaurant I would’ve been panicking!

Several restaurants in Budapest use “monkeys” in their name. Make sure you go to the right one. I spent time pouring over the menu for another place that still happened to have gluten-free options. I was pleasantly surprised when we landed at the right place!

They also have several vegan and vegetarian options which is a nice bonus!

Bohémtanya

Address: Budapest, Paulay Ede u. 6
What you’ll Find: Traditional Hungarian Food

Bohémtanya serves traditional Hungarian food. So, you can safely try all of the best traditional Hungarian dishes in a completely safe environment. As a celiac, you can’t always find traditional foods in gluten-free environments. So, that makes this place extra special.

I tried the schnitzel; it was incredible and it was huge. Go hungry because all of the portions were massive. But, it was so good!

The restaurant is small and popular. Make reservations so you don’t miss out.

Kata Restaurant

Address: Budapest, Hajós u. 27
What you’ll find: Cafe; Burgers, salads, etc.

Kata Restaurant is the hipster gluten-free cafe you never knew you needed. They have incredible decor and a fun vibe. The food is amazing. I had a Caesar salad and tried my friends’ burgers and fries (because it’s dedicated gluten-free so I can do that)! The lemonades were also delicious.

Consider making reservations. I arrived a few minutes before the restaurant opened and it was full within 30 minutes of opening for lunch. And it was full of locals so I knew I’d found a good place for lunch!

You’ll see some references to a restaurant name Drop when you’re searching online. It used to be a sister location to Kata but it’s closed.

NonGlutén Pizzéria

Address: Király street 58
What you’ll find: Pizza

Pizza is probably something you thought you’d see on a gluten-free Budapest post. But, it’s not a mistake.

NonGlutén Pizzéria is a dedicated gluten-free pizza chain with a really cool story.

They have a gluten-filled pizza place and set out to re-create their award-winning pizza in a dedicated gluten-free space.

They put work into it and it shows.

The pizza is amazing. The best I’ve had outside of Italy.

Go here. Eat pizza and tiramisu. Thank me later.

Tibidabo Gluten-Free Bakery

Address: Dohány u. 7
What you’ll find: Cinnamon rolls, tarts, and other pastries

Tibidado is such a fun experience. The pastries are in a self-serve case; like with tongs and self-serve bags and everything.

I was unreasonably excited about this; probably because I haven’t seen that in a celiac-safe space. It was so much fun.

You can also order and sit down in the cafe to rest and take in the ambiance. It feels very local and not like a tourist spot.

They have gluten-free bread as well if you want to take some back to your apart-hotel/kitchen. There were also vegan pastry options.

The gluten-free bakeries were my main source of snacks in Budapest.

herBar

Address: Haris köz 3
What you’ll find: Cinnamon rolls, chocolate pinwheels, coffee, salads; general cafe food

herBar is near Vorosmatry Square so it’s in the thick of the shopping district in Budapest. It’s a small little cafe. I went in for an afternoon snack. Honestly, I was mostly trying to find a place to get out of the wind since it was winter. The chocolate pinwheel with a hot chai tea latte was spot on what I needed for the day.

After scouting the menu, it would also be a good stop for lunch or brunch. Just don’t overlook it for a snack when you’re in the area (even if you aren’t really hungry).

Side note: how special is Budapest that I could find a dedicated gluten-free cafe nearby when I didn’t have a plan and just wanted a snack? It’s unlike anywhere else.

Gluten-Free Places in Budapest That Are Still on My List

Even with 5 days of exploring, and eating gluten-free food, in Budapest, I still couldn’t get to all of the amazing options. So, these are places I’ll visit next time.

Manioka gluténmentes pékség

Szilágyi Erzsébet fasor 121

It’s in the basement of a shopping mall. There are incredible Hungarian pastries made gluten-free. Plus, the croissants get great reviews and I love a croissant.

Cöli Bisztró

Jókai u. 40

Cöli Bisztró looks like a great spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I tried to get to this place so many times on my trip. I’m bummed it didn’t work out but it is at the top of my list when I get back to Budapest.

Retró Lángos Budapest

Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út 25

While it’s not dedicated gluten-free they do have a separate kitchen and the gluten-free food comes out marked – according to reports anyway. Lángos are a Hungarian specialty. They are a favorite of locals and somehow this place just got lost in the noise. I made the mistake of only looking at dedicated places and missed a chance to try traditional food in a pretty safe way.

Preparing to Travel with Celiac Disease

As with anything when you’re celiac (or gluten-free), you’re going to need to do some prep work before your visit. This is the briefest of guides but you can find more here.

Stay near some of the restaurants you’re excited about.

If you can’t get near the good options it may still be a good idea to have a kitchen. Do everything you can to avoid deciding out of fatigue.

Take some snacks for travel days to get you started. I didn’t have any problem finding food in Budapest. I didn’t even have to resort to visiting grocery stores because the bakeries took care of any of my snacking needs. But, grocery stories did have options if you need some snacks to restock.

Be sure to pack any medications your doctor has prescribed. Then, be sure to have a daypack that you can carry them in. It’s important to have what you need to have the best possible experience when traveling.

A Note About Dedicated Gluten-Free Options on this list

I don’t always eat at dedicated gluten-free restaurants. I do a lot of research, ask questions, and generally have a good idea of where I’m comfortable taking risks.

There were so many options in Budapest that I stuck to dedicated gluten-free restaurants almost exclusively. If a restaurant on this list is not dedicated I’ll be sure to point it out.

There are 20+ dedicated gluten-free restaurants in Budapest. There was never a chance to try them all. Plus, the ones I started with were incredible so… I went back to the same places a lot. It’s a thing I do; I’d rather eat somewhere I know is amazing than try new places.

Diet Restriction Translation Card

Translation cards are one of the go-to things for most celiac travelers. They aren’t a bad idea but you have to use them well.

I’ve purchased the wrong ones and gotten myself into frustrating situations.

Using a translation card doesn’t mean you can eat anywhere you want. You still need to be aware that they can accommodate you. So, still do research and make a plan.

But, it’s not a bad idea to have a translation card with you, especially if you’re new to traveling. If you’re going to get a card go with this company. You can add other allergens too if that’s you.

In Budapest, there are so many dedicated gluten-free restaurants it’s not worth branching out. But, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared just in case you get in a pinch.

Where to Sleep in Budapest

You can stay in Buda or in Pest.

Since there were so many dedicated gluten-free restaurants I didn’t feel I needed kitchen space in Budapest. That may not be you and that’s okay.

I stayed in Buda since we had hotel reward points to burn. It was a great location. Two of the best attractions were only a few steps away from where I slept and the views were incredible.

But, if you want to be near the restaurants this is not the best pick. Staying in Pest will put you closer to the best restaurants.

If you want a kitchen check out this apartment-style option.

If you don’t feel like you need a kitchen there are so many good options.

Getting Around Budapest

Budapest is a very walkable city. Wandering around Buda and Pest is a great way to spend your time.

Public transit is also easy and efficient in Budapest. You can take buses, trams, and metros to get where you’re going. Plus, at about $1 a ride, it’s cheap.

But, since you’ll be trying to get to great restaurants on your trip you should have a transit card. There are too many great places to go and it’s worth spending some time riding around to find the best places.

Be sure to go for the Budapest travel card, not the city card. There are different options depending on how long you’ll be in the city.

• 24 Hr- 2,500 Ft ($6.50)
• 72 hr- 5,500 Ft ($14.50)
• 7 days- 6,500 Ft ($17)

Being Gluten-Free in Budapest is Easy (and fun)!

I had no idea being gluten-free in Budapest would be as fun and as easy as it is. The city is welcoming, packed full of things to do, and has so many safe options you definitely won’t go hungry! I can’t believe it took me this long to get there but it won’t take me as long to get back!