All the rage when Liszt Ferenc tér was the destination to locate your Budapest business some 25 years ago, retro-fitted Menza has withstood its slow decline to up its game in the kitchen and fill the place with regulars and tourists every single day. Why we love it Whether you’re here for the weekly changing daily menu, the weekly suggestions or the regular selection, you should enter expectant and leave satisfied. ‘Canteen’ is also one of the rare places in Budapest to offer lecsó, a stew of tomatoes and peppers that every Hungarian grandmother makes but few restaurant kitchens bother with.

Few restaurants on touristy Liszt tér warrant serious consideration, but Menza bucks the trend. Designed to recreate the atmosphere of the socialist-era canteens of the 1960s and 70s, the cool retro fixtures and fittings are a delight. The food is anything but canteen-like, with dishes such as catfish stew with Hungarian cottage cheese gnocchi (£7.40), and a duck burger with gorgonzola cheese and blackberry mayonnaise (£6.90), maintaining a happy stream of punters.

On the very edge of District 6, you'll find Menza, one of the city's best Hungarian restaurants, incredibly consistent and serving international spins on classic local cuisine. Hearty, Central European favorites like goulash, lecso (ratatouille), and schnitzel sit comfortably next to cauliflower steak, pulled lamb in Moroccan spices, and fresh pastas. Drinks affordably showcase Hungary's finest wineries alongside contemporary cocktails.

Catch the M1 metro line – the oldest in continental Europe – from Széchenyi Fürdő to Oktogon where Menza offers a stylish retro take on the communist workers' canteen.

A retro, 70s-style interior hiding modern, innovative cooking, Menza is a popular restaurant with delicious cooking that will make you want to come back time and time again. Located on Liszt Ferenc Square, just off Andrássy Boulevard, Menza has varied menu, complete with weekly and daily specials, but when it comes to soups, one of their permanent dishes truly stands out: a garlic cream soup that is topped with (and this is truly incredible) a mini-langos, complete with sour cream and cheese. For those of our readers who are unfamiliar with it, Lángos is a traditional Hungarian summer snack, a piece of dough deep-fried, then covered with a variety of savory toppings.

The locals also like to visit the restaurant, but mainly for lunch as they are better familiar with the rush-hours of the restaurant. However, tourists enjoy visiting Menza throughout the day whenever they get a chance to, because of its divine and exquisite Hungarian food that is freshly prepared and served to leave everyone mouthwatering until they enjoy a bite (or a filling meal to be more precise). The restaurant specialties include Hortobágyi palacsinta, veal paprikash, pork schnitzel, mákos guba, and of course goulash soup (a must-have in any local food place but uniquely prepared in each restaurant).

One part coffee house, one part restaurant, this self-styled canteen provides guests with a sophisticated take on 1960s era Budapest coffee bars in a UNESCO World Heritage environment, adjacent to Andrássy avenue. The stylish, spacious, and contemporary interiors welcome hard working men and women for a tasty break with inexpensive (the two-course menu costs 1,390 HUF) daily lunch offers focusing on Hungarian flavours, as well as an á la carte menu comprised of international treats, such as cold cucumber soup with yogurt, salmon stuffed with spinach and ricotta, and corn pudding with cinnamon-rum plum.

Two of the restaurants on Liszt Ferenc tér by the music academy have been quite good but one has changed name (it used to be Leroy and is at #10, now I think it is Fresco; nothing else about it has changed; the chandeliers are made from inverted plastic soda bottles that glisten like crystal high up in the vaulted ceiling) and the other, directly across the pedestrian square, is called Menza. None of the places on Liszt Ferenc have been bad. The latter is a bit more upscale and its menu somewhat more audacious, but both have been consistently strong.

For a crazy cheap lunch set (from €5) of Hungarian soul food served in a fabulous, retro menza (canteen), then this perma-busy Liszt Ferenc Square joint wins every time. The locals love it and for good reason: the keen combo of pleasing Wes Anderson vibes and the kitchen’s hearty takes on old-school classics, such as veal paprikás with egg dumplings, fatty mangalica pork chop or the rich, tangy house goulash. Liszt Ferenc tér 2, Terézvárosmenzaetterem.hu/en

An unwavering spot in the capital for 20 years, Menza features plenty of classics without unnecessary frills and intrusive self-expression. Always offering friendly and welcoming vibes, it's a reliable choice for a warm dining experience. While it's worth trying new things, we're really into the Hungarian line: no matter how many thousands of litres of goulash they cook, the result is always top-notch, destined to be shared with friends and family.

Menza (the word for a dreary communist canteen) boldly ventured into Modern Hungarian cooking: traditional ingredients and recipes, but with a fresh spin to please the modern palate. I can still remember my first dinner at Menza: They took the greasy, heavy lángos fry bread (one bite sits in your stomach for a week), lightened it up, and wrapped it around a delicious paprika-dusted entrée. This definitely wasn’t your Grandpa’s goulash.

Few locals would dispute the claim that during the past two decades, Menza has been one of Budapest's most reliably excellent restaurants. This perennially buzzing establishment along Liszt Ferenc tér in District 6 churns out traditional Hungarian dishes with a level of consistency that would make any Hungarian grandmother blush. As the night progresses, the music gets louder, the dining room dimmer, the vibes cooler.

Step back in time into Menza, a retro restaurant boasting vintage furniture and wallpaper. Here, the menu is much like any Hungarian diner, offering traditional goulash dishes alongside beef stews and hearty classics. For a warming meal, you’ll want to check out this popular hotspot that sees both locals and tourists flock to its cosy patio in the summer months and its fun, retro interior in the winter.

It is a kitsch café with a modern menu and a few unusual twists, where you will enjoy contemporary dining in a retro setting. Menza means ‘canteen’ in English and the hip décor is a nod to the country’s Socialist era. But don’t let that throw you – the food is anything but basic, with highlights including cold strawberry soup, duck leg with ratatouille, and oven-baked kohlrabi stuffed with minced veal.

Hiding in the small street of Liszt Ferenc tér just off of Andrassy (the longest street in the city) is one of the best restaurants in Budapest. Menza is well-loved by locals for its quirky take on Hungarian food and large variety of international cuisine. With warm lighting and cool modern décor, this is a place you’ll want to stay for the evening.

Menza is a retro-style restaurant located in the heart of Budapest, on Liszt Ferenc Square. Known for its trendy atmosphere and classic Hungarian dishes, Menza is also a hit with families. The restaurant offers a kid-friendly menu, and the central location is perfect for a family-friendly lunch or dinner after exploring the nearby attractions.

📍 Address: Liszt Ferenc tér 2, 1061 Budapest 🌐 Website:menzaetterem.hu📞 Phone: +36 1 413 1482 🕒 Hours: Mon-Sun 11:00-23:00. The Verdict: Few locals would dispute that during the past two decades, Menza has been one of Budapest’s most reliably excellent restaurants. This is your safe bet goulash – no fireworks, no disappointments.

At Menza, we tried to have more bottles open, so we changed the wine list every month and had about 16 bottles open at the same time. What is great about Kadarka is that since we have close to 100 bottles open, there are many options for tasting different wines, which means it’s easier for our guests to develop their own tastes.

If you’re looking for a truly authentic taste of Hungary that’s also ridiculously affordable, Menza is for you. Honestly, if there’s only one restaurant that you should visit in Budapest, this is the one. Despite being in one of the most touristy areas of the city, District 6, it’s managed to keep its charm and its rates low.

Should you find yourself in need of a good meal on Andrássy út, look no further than Menza. Located in one of Budapest’s most popular squares, Menza stands out for its classic fare and retro atmosphere. We started with the antipasti platter of grilled vegetables which came with a creamy cheese dip and freshly baked bread.

A short walk from there took us to Menza where we had lunch. It describes itself as a canteen but this really doesn’t do it justice. We found plenty of locals, always a good sign, many enjoying a bowl of goulash soup and a large pudding that looks more like a loaf of bread; great food and friendly service.

In the trendy Liszt Ferenc Square and near the Hungarian State Opera House, Menza is perfect for those who want classic Hungarian comfort food in a lively atmosphere. A local favourite, it serves dishes like goulash, paprika chicken and stuffed cabbage, a taste of traditional food with a modern twist.

WOOF, Menza is one of my favorite dog-friendly restaurants in Budapest!. After all, they serve some ARF-MAZING traditional Hungarian food here that I just couldn’t wait to get my paws on. With a retro yet stylish colorful interior, Menza is such a fun place to wine and dine with your traveling pooch.

We've seen quite a few Hungarian restaurants on this list, but Menza is probably one of the best if you want some traditional Hungarian cuisine. Located in District 6, the restaurant is in the heart of tourist country. However, Menza still holds onto its old-world, Eastern European roots.

Address: Liszt Ferenc tér 2., district VI., trams 4, 6, M1 metro Oktogon stop Tel: (+36 1) 413 1482 Website. A retro-style place evoking the ambience of the ’80es and ’90es in Budapest. The quality of food tends to vary but it is good at most times and definitely on the cheaper side.

There's quite a lot of nostalgia for the past in Budapest, at least judging by way its restaurants and bars are decorated. Done wrong, this retro style looks just plain tired, but Menza (which means canteen) has got it right. Done in shades of brown, orange, and pale green,…

A kitsch café with a modern menu and twist, Menza is contemporary dining in a retro setting. The food looks amazing and highlights cold strawberry soup, duck leg ratatouille, and oven-baked kohlrabi stuffed with minced veal. Budapest, Liszt Ferenc tér 2, 1061 Hungary.

Liszt Ferenc ter 2 (+36 1 413 1482) Metro: M1 Oktagon, www.menzaetterem.hu. We ate here late on a Monday night and it was still packed. Retro is the word of the day in decor at this hip Liszt Ferenc eatery, but the food is fresh and modern.

This time, we opted for local cuisine at one of the famous Hungarian restaurants – Menza. Everything was delicious: the famous pumpkin soup, various goose dishes, goulash, and of course, the desserts… that’s it, we were completely full.

Káposztás tészta (cabbage pasta) is homemade noodle with stewed cabbage, flavoured with fresh ground pepper and in some places – yeah, tis would sound weird – they even put a hint of sugar on it. Try it at Kiskakukk Restaurant.

The restaurant is quite busy throughout the day, so it’s worth booking for the peak hours. I had to wait 10 minutes even though I went there at 3pm. They also have a weekly menu in addition to their regular menu.

Menza is a trendy spot located in the heart of the vibrant Liszt Ferenc Square. It’s known for its lively atmosphere and serves a mix of traditional Hungarian dishes and international flavors.

A busy spot with a menu featuring all the Hungarian classics. This spot was recommended to me by my walking tour guide and I really enjoyed it. https://www.menzaetterem.hu/etlap/

In good weather, outdoor seating is filled and indoors there are upstairs and downstairs tables. But every year new places come along.