If you think about Budapest as a person, picture it as a kind, buttoned-up old lady, who’s there to feed you up. The city has a rich history, both imperial and socialist, and enough calories on its menus to banish any post-cold war chill. However, eating out shouldn’t always mean a multi-course meal with a glass of wine, as served in the best restaurants in Budapest city center, but dropping by at any of Budapest’s street food locales is a good solution. Budapest radiates with many such eateries, so here we present some of them. Hurry up with your airport transfers, and pop-in into one.

Arriba Taqueria

The place offers pretty cheap and very appetizing Mexican meals, distributed through multiple shops on the city’s Pest and Buda sides. The spicy selection of dishes includes burritos, quesadillas and many more Mexican cuisine jewels.

And, if the food happens to be too spicy for you, you can always chase it down with a glass of cold and refreshing Mexican beer.

2 Spaghi

With an extensive selection of fresh pastas carefully prepared every morning, 2 Spaghi is a true Italian-style dining spot to be found in two distinct locales in the center of Budapest. Meals are here available to chow down on the spot, but guests can also buy a box of raw pasta in so many varieties as takeaway. It is the most amazing pasta place you can find in the whole city, and at an affordable price too.
 

Leves

Located a few steps away from the Corvinus University, Leves is the best spot for students, hungry travelers, and all soup aficionados really, who long to grab a healthy slurp. In addition, Leves offers a variety of sandwiches and cookies on the go for the solid food lovers. When it comes to the service, they always welcome you with a kind smile.
 

Bors Gastrobar

You can easily locate the Bors Gastrobar by the extensive queue in front of it every day at lunchtime. The restaurant is sitting at the popular street-food spot located on the lively Kazinczy Street and a stroll away from Szimpla Kert. The menu here features a selection of tasty gourmet soups that are served in paper cups, together with a few options of freshly made pastas and crispy baguettes. Hence, if you are looking for a light and tasty bite on the go, trust the line at the Bors Gastrobar.
 

Gyradiko

Radiating with its traditional tavern look, Gyradiko is an ideal place for those who are in the quest for tasty Greek food, but have limited time. The menu offers many delicacies, from palatable goat-cheese cream, to hot and cold Meze platters and aromatic souvlaki sticks. So if you find yourself in the 3rd District, make sure to stop by and treat yourself with some seriously delicious food and great atmosphere.
 

Pad Thai Wokbar

Mouthwatering pastas, fried rice and spice-infused dressings are handcrafted in Padthai’s see-through kitchen, where the guests can ecstatically enjoy the process of how these Asian delicacies are prepared with amazing speed and over blazing flame. Together with the piquant treats, the hungry visitors can choose from a selection of refreshing teas or lemonades, to pair with their tasty meals.
 

Hummus Bar

Interestingly, over the past years many hummus bars have emerged in many cities. Being one of the most food-diverse cities in the world Budapest presents its own best Hummus Bar. The bar has multiple locales throughout the city, while the menu offers a combination of very healthy vegetarian and meat-infused meals. Here you can enjoy many hummus variations with different toppings and soft pita bread, or a plateful of flavorful Shakshuka.
 

Marika Néni Café

Marika néni (or translated as ‘aunt Mary’ in Hungarian) is the true soul of this wonderful place, being best known for the extreme-size hamburgers made with so many mouthwatering fillings. Marika néni’s talkative nature and her amazingly tasty burgers are so popular and widely known, that the place is always bursting with guests from all over the world. Hence, if you can, make sure to pre-order your meal by phone and avoid a long wait.
 

Szeráj

This bright eatery offers a mix of Turkish and Hungarian cuisine and most importantly, it’s open till late. The menu has Turkish kebabs, salads and soups, substantial portions of gyros, falafels, alongside various meat and vegetable dishes at fair prices. Additionally, the restaurant has a terrace and a takeaway option. The place is open until the late night hours when it’s often filled with a post-party crowd.

Punjab Tandoori

This unpretentious place offers a menu based on Punjabi gastronomy, and serves some of the best Indian dishes in Budapest.

Here, besides the meaty treats, such as Tandoori chicken or lamb korma, there is great selection of vegetarian meals, such as palak paneer or crispy vegetable samosas.

If you consider trying a different tongue-tickling cuisine, this restaurant is a must-visit.

Dang Muoi

If you seek some truly authentic Vietnamese meals, just head to any of Dang Muoi’s locales, spread throughout the city. This place has an offer of delicacies such as fried goat meat, Vietnamese spinach salad, or fried rice pasta with beef. If you are tired of the Hungarian goulash and look for an adventure for your taste buds, the Dang Muoi is the spot to visit.

When people think of fast and cheap meals, they often think of American-style fast food chains. (Make sure not to mix those with the top American restaurants in Budapest, though.) The point of visiting the above mentioned places is to enjoy a solid meal without rushing through your budget, and acquaint a new cuisine on the way too.