Gluten Free Budapest Hungary: A Complete Guide

I came to Hungary hungry and I was not disappointed. For a country whose traditional dishes revolve around beer, fried meat, and flour thickened stews, the gluten free Budapest scene is surprisingly great!

I’ve been to Budapest twice, and both times I ate very well. As of 2020, this city has five 100% gluten free restaurants and seven dedicated bakeries – that’s a lot. There are also tons of nondedicated restaurants with safe gluten free options. In between eating, Budapest is also just a genuinely fascinating city. We spent our time wandering the streets, testing out all the thermal baths (Rudas is the best kept secret in Budapest, in my opinion), and just soaking up the culture.

In this post, I’m sharing all the best (and safest) gluten free restaurants in Budapest. Consider this your complete guide to how to navigate Budapest gluten free if you’re celiac or gluten intolerant. Below you’ll find:

• Hungarian translation card
• Common phrases to know regarding gluten
• 5 dedicated gluten free restaurants
• 7 dedicated gluten free bakeries
• 13 non-dedicated restaurants with gluten free options
• 3 shops that sell gluten free products
• Closed restaurants
• Where to stay in Budapest if you’re gluten free
• A downloadable map

A translation card for gluten free Budapest travelers

Budapest is the capital of Hungary, so you can expect pretty much everyone to speak Hungarian (called “Magyar” among Hungarians)! Of course, many people will also speak English as it’s a major tourist city (this is not as true if you venture out of Budapest). In my experience, we could get by in English for the most part, except for ordering gluten free food at non-dedicated restaurants.

For communicating in Hungarian in Budapest, I highly recommend using this translation card from Select Wisely. You can buy it online and have it downloaded straight to your phone.

I recommend this translation card instead of the free one available online because it goes into depth on all the things we can’t eat: wheat, barley, rye, malt, flour, oats, soy sauce, breads, cereals, gravies, and more. If you have additional dietary requirements (nut allergy, vegan, etc), you can also get a combo card. Click the image below to read more about the translation card.

Gluten free in Hungarian

Like I mentioned, Hungarian (or “Magyar”) is spoken in Budapest. And while I 100% recommend traveling with a gluten free translation card, it is also useful to have a basic knowledge of the language.

Celiac in Hungarian = cöliákia

Gluten free in Hungarian = gluténmentes

Gluten = glutén

Is this gluten free? = Ez gluténmentes? 

Wheat = búza

Flour = lisztje (you will see this one a lot)

Although there is a celiac society in Hungary, a lot of people are still unaware of what gluten is, or the impact it can have on us. Nevertheless, the Hungarian celiac society has gone to the extent of listing celiac-friendly restaurants in Budapest. It’s unclear if these are ‘accredited’ or had to pass certain standards, so as always ask questions and use your translation card.

Dedicated gluten free Budapest restaurants and cafes

The best place for any celiac or gluten intolerant traveler to eat is always a 100% gluten free, dedicated facility. I’m obsessed with these places and so grateful for what they do for our community. Luckily for us, there are five such restaurants in Budapest. Yes – FIVE!

Drop

Drop is my favorite sit-down,  100% gluten free Budapest restaurant. We made a beeline here our first night in Budapest. Drop has a laid back, cool vibe with al fresco seating and lots of indoor space as well. The extensive menu had me drooling at the descriptions of gluten free burgers with crispy bacon and Texan barbecue sauce, milkshakes topped with mint leaves and citrus, apple roasted pork, and more.

Although the menu is teeming with gluten free options to make any celiac’s mouth water, Dan was disappointed to find a lack of traditional Hungarian dishes. He ordered the goulash soup, which ended up being the best goulash soup of everywhere we tried in Budapest.  And my Texan barbecue burger was pretty amazing, even if it didn’t have me feeling very culturally assimilated, ha!

• Drop // 1065 Budapest Hajós street 27

Kata Restaurant

Located right next to Drop, you’ll find Kata Restaurant – another absolute must-visit if you’re eating gluten free in Budapest. This restaurant is dedicated gluten and lactose free (the only items not gluten free, oddly, are a few gluten-containing beers… ah well, that’s good for our gluten-eating travel companions!). Here, you could eat tagliatelle pasta, hamburgers, and more – all gluten free. This is a relatively nice sit down restaurant and well worth a visit.

• Kata Restaurant // Budapest, Hajós u. 27, 1065 Hungary

Maja Gluten Free Bistro

Maja Bistro is a 100% gluten and lactose free restaurant on the Buda side of the river. It’s a 10 minute walk to Gellert Thermal Baths, or 20 minutes to Rudas Thermal Baths (my personal favorite in Budapest) – so would be perfect to combine a brunch, lunch, or early dinner with that! Maja Bistro offers gluten free pastries, cakes, cookies, pasta, even fried chicken/schnitzel and more.

• Maja Bistro // Budapest, Karinthy Frigyes út 18, 1111 Hungary

Great Bistro

Great Bistro is a 100% gluten free and vegan restaurant in Budapest! This place probably wins the award for most sustainable and environmentally friendly restaurant in all of Budapest – plus, you can’t even tell many of the dishes are vegan, if that’s not your thing. Notable things to order include a fully vegan and gluten free cheese platter, fruit and chocolate topped pancakes, savory crepe sandwiches, and more.

• Great Bistro // Budapest, Bank u. 6, 1054 Hungary

Nyugati Cöli Bisztró

Nyugati Coli Bisztro is a little cafe in central Budapest, close to the Nyugati tram station. It’s 100% gluten free and offers a variety of pastries, cakes, and cookies, as well as lunch options (including pizza). There are a variety of baked goods on offer every day, as well as gluten free products like flour, granola, baking mixes, bread, and more. You can also find some traditional Hungarian dishes here, such as sausages, cabbage soup, goulash, and others.

• Nyugati Cöli Bisztró // Budapest, Jókai u. 40, 1065 Hungary

GluteNo – CLOSED!

Gluteno was a little 100% gluten free cafe… It had traditional Hungarian meat paninis and was one of my favorite gluten free spots in Budapest. Sadly they closed recently. I’ll keep this post updated but as of 2020 it does not look like they have plans to reopen.

Dedicated gluten free Budapest bakeries

I am actually stunned at how many dedicated gluten free bakeries there are in Budapest. I’ve found SEVEN. That’s even more than New York City, which I pretty much consider a gluten free mecca. I haven’t had a chance to try all of these Budapest gluten free bakeries myself, but it’s on my bucket list. Be sure to let me know your thoughts and which ones you go to in the comments!

Free! Gluten Free Bakery

Free! Gluten Free Bakery is a 100% gluten free bakery in Budapest’s Jewish quarter. Free! is also 100% soy free, and offers many products that are vegan, egg, or lactose free. It was one of the first gluten free bakeries in Budapest and is the most well known. There are sooo many gluten free pastries on offer here – including some Hungarian classics. They even have croissants on occasion! The menu does change daily so be aware of that.

• Free! Gluten Free Bakery // Feny utca 16, Budapest 1112 Hungary

Manioka Gluténmentes Pékség

Manioka is another 100% gluten free bakery in Budapest. It goes above and beyond and is also lactose, soy, egg, yeast, and sugar free. Phew! This should be your go-to bakery if you are looking specifically for traditional Hungarian pastries. I recommend arriving early in the morning and stocking up for the rest of your trip. I fell in love with gluten free apple strudel in Prague, and you can get the same here. It is also super close to the Great Market Hall – a major tourist attraction that I discuss in the following section!

• Manioka Gluténmentes Pékség // Budapest, Ráday u. 15, 1092 Hungary

Noglu Feny Cukraszda

Noglu is yet another dedicated gluten free bakery in Budapest. It is one of only two 100% gluten free bakeries located on the Buda side (the left side of the river, much more hilly!). Also, notably, this is not the same Noglu gluten free bakery that you might be familiar with in New York City and Paris. This bakery offers a variety of gluten free cakes, as well as vegan and lactose free options. They also serve ice cream, including lactose free and vegan ice creams! Keep in mind that unlike other Budapest bakeries, Noglu only sells dessert items (no savory meals).

• Noglu Feny Cukraszda // II. Fény utca 2. 1024 Budapest, Hungary

Sugar Free Monkey

Sugar Free Monkey is a dedicated gluten free bakery that is located very close to both Manioka (another 100% gluten free bakery) and the Great Market Hall. Basically, it has a prime location! Sugar Free Monkey is also completely free of lactose and sugar. In addition to gluten free cakes, you can also get vegan ice cream here (and not worry about cross contact with the scoops – woohoo!).

• Sugar Free Monkey // Budapest, Ráday u. 3, 1092 Hungary 1092

Tibidabo Gluten Free Bakery

Tibidabo is one of Budapest’s newest gluten free bakeries and you should definitely check it out! I haven’t made it here myself, so be sure to let me know in the comments what you think. Tibidabo is 100% gluten free and among the incredible offerings are cinnamon rolls, danishes, apple strudel, three types of bread, and more! Apparently, you can also get gluten free challah bread here. I haven’t had challah bread in over a decade so that’s what my order would be!

• Tibidabo Gluten Free Bakery // Budapest, Rákóczi út 11, 1088 Hungary 1088

Naspolya Nassolda

I don’t know why Naspolya Nassolda doesn’t show up on more gluten free Budapest lists, because this little place is 100% gluten free! One reason that might be is that they market themselves as 100% vegan (vegans, flock here, fast!). The fact they are also gluten free flies a bit under the radar. Nevertheless, this is a great stop for a gluten free sweet bite to eat. The bakery itself is super instagrammable with a kind of Scandi design.

• Naspolya Nassolda // Káldy Gyula u. 7. 061 Budapest, Hungary

Golden Granet Gluten Free Bakery

Golden Granet is the second of two gluten free bakeries located on the Buda side (the other is Noglu). In addition to being dedicated gluten free, Golden Granet is also free of artificial preservatives, milk, and eggs. I don’t know what it is with these Budapest bakeries, but they are all so ultra allergy friendly! Golden Granet is, I believe, the newest gluten free bakery in Budapest, although the previously operated in an online-only capacity. Come here to grab super healthy and yummy pastries, breads, and even a casual lunch option.

• Golden Granet Gluten Free Bakery // Budapest, Lövőház u. 21, 1024 Hungary

Non-dedicated gluten free restaurants in Budapest

These restaurants are not 100% gluten free, but still have plenty of gluten free options. Please be aware that cross contact is always an issue when you eat food prepared in a shared environment. That’s why I highly recommend traveling with the gluten free Hungarian translation card, and questioning the wait staff about how food is prepared!

0.75 Bistro

0.75 Bistro was one of my favorite meals in Budapest. It is in a great location in the center of Budapest, by the bridges and cathedral. When I travel, I usually end up in some godforsaken neighborhood looking for gluten free food (read: Prague), but we actually happened upon 0.75 Bistro whilst feeling lazy in the center of town. 0.75 Bistro labels gluten free food on the menu, and has many options.

We ordered a gluten free roasted duck risotto, and a crispy goats cheese and beet salad. Both were incredible and I literally still dream of the goats cheese. They also serve gluten free desserts, and a gluten free beer which was produced in Hungary! I found the staff very knowledgeable about celiac disease and cross contact.

• 0.75 Bistro // Budapest, Szent István tér 6, 1051 Hungary

Great Market Hall

The Great Market Hall is a Budapest institution which is on most travelers’ itineraries, as it should be. If you find yourself here around lunch time, don’t fret because there are gluten free options! All the prepared food stands are upstairs, and you can find salads at multiple places (ask about cross contact). There is also traditional goulash soup which is gluten free. You can find this upstairs, the first stall along the ri13ght side wall. I was happy just to find a traditional, gluten free meal, but I have to be honest and say that it wasn’t the best tasting. The goulash was quite oily and watered down compared to the goulash we tried the night before at Drop.

Don’t go out of your way to eat at the Great Market Hall, but if you are already there and don’t want to fuss with a sit down meal, at least you won’t go hungry. Remember, there are two fabulous 100% gluten free bakeries within a five minute walk, so maybe save your meal for there.

• Great Market Hall // Vamhaz korut, 1-3, Budapest 1093, Hungary

Fonograph Restaurant Svábhegy

Fonograph Restaurant Svábhegy is located a bit further out from the city centre, on the Buda side. Honestly, it is quite a trek to get here but could be an option if you are staying in the neighborhood. This restaurant comes recommended by the Hungarian celiac society. I have not eaten here myself, but I’ve seen online that their menu clearly marks gluten free options. The staff seem to be knowledgeable about celiac disease.

• Fonograph Restaurant Svábhegy // 1121 Budapest, Költő u. 30

Etna I & II Restaurant and Pizzeria

Etna is a Budapest pizzeria with two locations (hence the I and II). It offers gluten free pizza and pasta (including gnocchi), and comes recommended by the Hungarian celiac society. Gluten free meals are prepared in a separate area of the kitchen, making it a safe option for celiacs to eat alongside their gluten-consuming travel partners. Also note that you can order pizza here to take out – could be a fun option for a picnic or a night in your Airbnb!

• Etna I Restaurant and Pizzeria // 1026 Budapest, Gábor Áron út 74-78
• Etna II Restaurant and Pizzeria // Budapest, VIII. Ker. Baross tér 10

Due Fratelli Restaurant

Due Fratelli Restaurant is another that comes recommended by the Hungarian celiac society. It is located on the Buda side but pretty close to the Danube, so it’s a convenient location if you’re on that side. Here, you can order gluten free pasta and three types of gluten free pizza. You can also order gluten free tiramisu and gyros.

• Due Fratelli Restaurant // 1027 Budapest, Erőd utca 9

Bistro Fine

Bistro Fine has a “fine” location (see what I did there) between the Basilica and Opera House. Although it’s not dedicated gluten free, and does have a shared fryer, there are quite a few gluten free options. This includes gluten free bread and goulash. Be aware that Bistro Fine is pretty expensive compared to your average Budapest restaurant.

• Bistro Fine // Budapest, Andrássy út 8, 1061 Hungary 1061

Slow Foodiez

Slow Foodiez is a trendy vegan restaurant which has several gluten free options. Basically, this is the place to go for health food in Budapest. Their brunch options looked particularly yummy, and include vegan (and gluten free) omelettes!

• Slow Foodiez // Budapest, Szondi u. 11, 1067 Hungary

Pata Negra

Pata Negra is a nice tapas place with two locations in Budapest. It has some great reviews from gluten free diners – they serve gluten free baguettes and mark options clearly on the menu. I have however also read some reviews regarding cross contact that make me question how safe this restaurant is. I have not eaten here myself, and would encourage you to use your translation card and make your needs clear to your server, as always!

• Pata Negra Pest // Budapest, Kálvin tér 8, 1091 Hungary
• Pata Negra Buda // Budapest, Frankel Leó út 55, 1023 Hungary

Mazel Tov

Mazel Tov is an Israeli fusion kitchen, located in Budapest’s Jewish quarter. It was actually voted the #1 restaurant in Budapest in 2019, by TimeOut. I have not eaten here myself but it was recommended to us by Dan’s friend who also has celiac disease. She raved about the gluten free goulash! Mazel Tov does not offer gluten free brea/pita but many dishes are naturally gluten free, and the staff is knowledgeable about celiac disease. They are able to adjust dishes to make them safely gluten free.

• Mazel Tov // Budapest, Akácfa u. 47, 1072 Hungary

McDonald’s

Call me basic, I DON’T CARE. Hungary has gluten free McDonald’s y’all!! I’m not a huge one for fast food, but I find it such a treat to grab gluten free McDonald’s in certain European countries (I’ve had it in Portugal, Amsterdam, Norway, Spain, Italy, and others). The buns are prepackaged and warmed up in their packaging, ensuring no cross contact.

• Multiple locations

Chili Bar

I actually ate at Chili Bar during an odd one night stay I had in Budapest once, en route to Austria. I was staying in a lovely Airbnb in a further removed neighborhood, and Chili Bar was a lucky find. Chili Bar offers gluten free buns for burgers and hot dogs, but they’re not your normal burgers and hotdogs. The whole restaurant is super trendy and has tons of options for toppings. They also have gluten free gourmet salads and nachos. If you decide to venture out of the city centre to Chili Bar, I would call ahead of time and make sure they have the buns in stock as they can run out. Also use your translation card and be clear that you are celiac so they properly handle cross contact. As far as I know, there is NOT a dedicated fryer, but please check.

• Chili Bar // Budapest, Tompa u. 7, 1094 Hungary

Gluten free shops in Budapest

Plan on doing some of your own cooking in Budapest? We stayed in an Airbnb in Budapest (which I would recommend doing!), and cooked a few of our own meals. Aldi is a major grocery shop chain that has a few gluten free options. We did most of our shopping there. You’ll also find Lidl, Tesco, and other major brands. For the really special gluten free food, though, head to one of these shops.

DietABC*

DietABC is a little shop focusing on all kinds of special diets: celiac / gluten free, lactose free, diabetic, and more. It’s pretty far out from the city center, located in the Gyárdűlő neighborhood. Worth a stop if you are in the area!

• DietABC // 1091 Budapest, Üllői út 149

Nyugati Cöli Bisztró (100% gluten free)

I mentioned this dedicated gluten free facility under the cafes and bakeries section. It’s worth mentioning here, too, as they have an entire section dedicated to gluten free products! It’s centrally located in Budapest so this is your best bet to shop for gluten free flours, mixes, pasta, bread, and more!

• Nyugati Cöli Bisztró // Budapest, Jókai u. 40, 1065 Hungary

• Budaörsi Élelmiszerallergia Szaküzlet // Budaörs 2040 Budaörs, Szabadság út 14-2.

There are two other gluten free specialty shops in Budapest that the Hungarian celiac society mentions – Food Allergy Center TAC and Alter’s Food Allergy Store. For the life of me I cannot find their locations. I believe that the Hungarian celiac society’s information may be outdated (their website is from 2012) so I assume these shops are closed. Don’t go out of your way to find them.

Closed Budapest gluten free restaurants

For some reason, there is a high turnover of gluten free restaurants in Budapest (similar to Prague). Just like with all my gluten free travel guides, I try to keep this post as updated as possible… so you can have the best trip possible! It’s currently updated for 2020.

Here is a list of CLOSED restaurants that previously had gluten free options. You may see these restaurants mentioned in other articles or review sites – please don’t waste your time trying to find them. Note: * indicates recommended by Hungarian celiac society.

• GluteNo
• Fun Cafe
• Köles A Reform Konyha
• Raw Food Delivery*
• Food Allergy Center TAC*
• Alter’s Food Allergy Store*

Where to stay in Budapest if you’re gluten free

As always, I highly recommend choosing accommodation that caters to gluten free guests – either with your own kitchen, or a celiac friendly hotel breakfast!

Airbnb’s in Budpest

On both of my trips to Budapest, I stayed in an Airbnb. I would totally recommend staying in an Airbnb in Budapest for a few reasons: 1) Airbnbs are plentiful and insanely affordable in Budapest, and 2) You’ll have your own kitchen to prepare gluten free food. Use my code for $40 off your first Airbnb!

• This is the Airbnb we stayed in – only $17/night and very close to the famous Szechenyi Spa Baths

Gluten free hotels in Budapest

Budapest also has a few hotels that cater to gluten free travelers, and some are quite affordable, too!

• Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge: A lovely, elegant hotel that goes above and beyond for celiac guests. You’ll be offered fresh gluten free bread with breakfast each morning, and gluten free items are marked on breakfast menu.
• Corinthia Budapest: Breakfast included in stay, gluten free items are marked on the menu and gluten free bread is available.
• Carlton Hotel Budapest: Ask for gluten free options at breakfast, and you’ll be given your own basket of gluten free rolls and even chocolate wafers!

Gluten Free Budapest Map…

Use the map below to help you navigate gluten free options in Budapest! It’s downloadable to your phone and you can use it without data or wifi. I love using this as I can explore freely, and then when I get hungry I just navigate to the closest restaurant on the map. (Purple = dedicated gluten free).

Hopefully this helps out at least one fellow gluten free traveler! Although we didn’t get to test out every single restaurant that was recommended to us, we didn’t go hungry during our time in Budapest.

Sarah xx

Browse all my gluten free travel guides here. Including:

• Prague gluten free guide
• Cinque Terre Italy gluten free guide
• Gluten free Lagos Portugal
• Norway gluten free guide
• Quebec City gluten free guide
• Gluten free Vancouver Canada

And many more!

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