Budapest is simply just as amazing as everyone says it is. We loved every minute.

Each morning we’d step out and explore a new section of the city, then return to our apartment by the Jewish Quarter, and explore it’s amazing food scene and nightlife. Check out my photo journal of our favorite sites.

But for me, one of my favorite parts was how easy it was to be gluten-free here. I NEVER struggled to find a delicious meal. Here are some of my favorites.

Free!

Free! Bakery is free of many major allergens like gluten, dairy, eggs, and nuts. We enjoyed breakfast at their Dob Street location. We tried some amazing cinnamon swirls and pastries filled with tomatoes, onions, and olives. It was a delicious start to our day. While I would have loved some cheese in my stuffed pastry, it was still delicious!  For those Mongozo fans out there — they also have beer in a cooler!

Nyugati Cöli Bisztró

The Coli Bisztro was definitely my favorite gluten-free bakery — this girl loves cheese. I’m from Wisconsin after all. Not only is this a full bakery with a wide range of house-made gluten-free goods, they also have a very large section of gluten-free products.  We ate a mini pizza, cheese stuffed roll and croissant wrapped around a hot dog (AKA Pig in a Blanket). Just look at the croissant. It was flaky!

If you’re walking between Parliament and Heroes Square, make sure to make this a stop!

Drop

While researching our trip, Drop was the most recommended restaurant that I read about for gluten-free dining. It is 100% gluten-free. We have had some serious near hangry meltdowns after grueling flights, when we can’t find a place that I can eat. We have learned to always have a gluten-free stop first thing on the itinerary. This is the BEST tip I can give any traveler with allergens!

Drop met all the hype and did not let us down. The meal started with gluten-free bruschetta. I had fried chicken that tasted better and lighter than any I’d ever had. Kyle had a duck dish that also impressed us. We finished the meal with carrot cake that was good but couldn’t beat the other dishes.

This restaurant was a bit pricier than others we stopped at, but we felt it was completely worth it!

Mazel Tov

The one thing I would tell ANYONE who goes to Budapest would be to stay in or very near the Jewish Quarter. Each night, we went to dinner there then enjoyed the night life and never ran out of delicious and trendy spots.

Mazel Tov seemed to be the most recommended restaurant in the Jewish Quarter. Technically a ruin bar, since it was a reclaimed warehouse space, but classy with vaulted ceilings, large glass sky lights, and lights everywhere. Tip: Make a reservation and go after dark!

The waiter was very accommodating, and despite not labeling for gluten, we had a great meal.  This was the only spot on the trip that I had to clarify by using my celiac dining card, but after that our waiter confidently helped us order.

Definitely make a reservation here. We arrived shortly before 7, and they squeezed us in. They were pretty packed when we left.

Tuning Bar & Burger

Tuning Bar & Burger is located tight next to Mazel Tov, and I’d recommend it over and over again. There is one focus here and that’s amazing burgers of all types. I had the Juicy Burger pictured below. We both loved our food and the gluten-free buns were excellent. I also recommend their mojitos 🙂 Go here for sure!

This is another very popular spot. Make a reservation!

Bar 400

I love markets and food halls. Foodhallen in Amsterdam. Time Out in Lisbon. Love them all. And luckily, we found a close second while in Budapest. If you’re the same, go visit Gozsdu Courtyard.

Gozsdu Courtyard stretches over a few blocks. It is lined with restaurants and bars. While strolling the courtyard, we discovered many cool spots but ended up in Bar 400.  I have a sixth sense for allergen menus. As we walked by, I immediately saw they marked for more allergens than I knew existed.

Kyle and I had two of our favorite meals while here. It’s a very large place with indoor and outdoor seating similar to many other places in this courtyard area.

Cirkusz

Craving gluten-free toast?  This place makes their own and they serve breakfast all day. And their breakfast was on point.

When you go, because you should,  order the iced coffee and Turkish eggs. I didn’t actually get the Turkish eggs (an amazing combo of yogurt, poached eggs, and paprika sauce), but Kyle let me try it with my bread before he dipped his glutenous bread in. Their yummy gluten-free bread is pictured below.

These were some of our top gluten-free stops, but there were many more places that also easily accommodated my needs. Tips: Overall, waiters recognize Celiac more often than gluten-free. I found many restaurants with labels for allergens and menus were always in English. Gluten-free eating will not slow you down here!

One final note not about food but another essential — gluten-free beer. We had an amazing stop at Hops Beer Bar. I found two of my favorites that I cannot get at home — Brewdogs Vagabond and Mongozo Buckwheat. Check it out!