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>> gulyas hús-mentes
although typical Hungarian cuisine is most famous for its beef gulyas, many other dishes can be made veggie-friendly (without meat: hús-mentes), such as lecsó with its spicy paprika. Budapest offers a great choice of veggie cafes and restaurants serving Japanese, Indian and International menus, as well as local dishes, so you'll have no problems eating out <<

>> veggie restaurant, cafe and health shop reviews
here we give our own views on the veggie restaurants, cafes and salad bars in the centre of town, as well as the best health shops, along with prices, opening times and locations. Once you've tried them, email us a review and we'll put it on the site (open the map to see where they are in town)

> cafes and salad bars

Darshan Biopont with a daily menu of traditional Hungarian dishes made vegan, this restaurant/health shop is a great place to test your taste buds. The set menu gives the basic staples, with the salad and cake bar (ask for recipes!) adding an exciting edge. And all this in the hipp(i)est place in town, complete with ethnic and retro clothes shops and an indie record store.

> Krúdy Gyula u 7
> Map: E6
> Metro: Kalvin tér on blue line
> Tram: 4/6 at Baross u website
> Mon-Fri 10am-10pm; Sat-Sun noon-10pm
> Vegan
> Non-smoking

Éden Run by the 7th day Adventist, a lovely self service lunch bar, delicious and inexpensive. At the red metro stop Batthyany ter, behind the market building.

>Ist district Iskola u. 31
>Tel.: (1) 3-75-75-75
>Web: www.edenetterem.hu
>open: Mondy-Friday 7 am-6pm.

Keleti Életmód Centrum a vegan health food shop, cafe and alternative health centre. A 5 minute walk from budavegs.

>Pozsonyi út 16
>open: Monday-Friday 7 am-8 pm

Falafel self-service salad bar right in the centre of town, perfect for a quick but filling bite on the run. Lots of prepared salads, steamed and raw veggies, as well as falafel (of course!), with a choice of dressings. Plus soups and desserts. Can get very crowded at lunchtime, with standing room only, but why not get a takeaway and sit in the trendy square, Liszt Ferenc Tér?

> Paulay Ede u 53
> Map: F4
> Metro: Opera on yellow line
> Tram: 4/6 at Oktogon
> Mon-Sat 10am-8pm
> Ovo-lacto-veggie, although mainly vegan
> Non-smoking
> Menu in Hungarian, but speak English
> Salads: 460-580 Ft
> Soups: 300-400 Ft
> Desserts: 300-500 Ft 

Lé-bár a convenient little vegan pizza, salad and fresh juice bar next door to the large Bio-ABC health shop opposite the National Museum

> Múzeum krt 19
> Map: E6
> Metro: Kalvin tér (blue) or Astoria (red)
> Mon-Fri 10am-6pm
> Vegan

Napos Oldal this cafe's name means 'sunny side' and it's a great place in the middle of town to rest your weary limbs with a herbal tea and cake. They also serve little Hungarian pastries and salads and half the shop is dedicated to health foods

> Jókai u. 7. website
> Map: E3
> Metro: Nyugati tér on blue line
> Tram: 4/6 at Nyugati tér or Oktogon
> Vegan

Nem süti small sandwich bar, five minutes walk from the budaveg apartment right next to Margit Bridge, offers a nice range of toppings on wholemeal bread or pita, plus juices and soya shake

> Jászai Mari tér 4./b (Pozsonyi u)
> Map: D1
> Metro: Nyugati tér on blue line
> Tram: 4/6 at Jászai Mari tér
> Mon-Fri 10am-7pm
> Ovo-lacto-veggie 

Reform cukrász a vegan organic sugarfree patisserie. You can only buy whole birthday cakes yet, but they deliver to many shops and restaurants

> 3rd district Kiskorona utca 8. website
> Ovo-lacto-veggie 

Govinda the Hare Krishna restaurant, serving the usual fare of subji (spiced veg), rice, dal and salads, plus cakes and lovely lassis. Either pay for a set meal or per dish

> Vigyázo Ferenc u 4
> Map: D3
> Metro: Kossuth tér on red line
> Tram: 2
> Mon-Sat noon-9pm
> Lacto-veggie
> Non-smoking
> Large set meal: 1450 Ft
> Small set meal: 1150 Ft
> Student set meal: 520 Ft
> www.govinda.hu

Napfényes Ízek, which means "sunny Tastes" is a fantastic vegan restaurant that offers traditional Hungarian dishes! It is run by a Rudolf Steiner inspired movement, so it is vegan (except for honey) and doesn't serve alcohol. Many organic options. They have menu in English and German and the prices are very moderate: a dinner for two with puddings is around 3000 Huf (less than £10)

> Rózsa u 39, District VII
> Map: G4
> Tram: 4/6 at Király utca and walk
> every day 9am-10pm
> English menu, inexpensive, non smoking, no alcohol, sells health food too
> www.napfenyesizek.hu

Vegetárium our favourite restaurant for a nice evening meal, with the extensive menu split equally between vegan and lacto-veggie dishes. Also has a cheap lunch menu. You can play chess while you are waiting for your food! The dish on the right is the "wooden plate" >>
> Cukor u 3
> Map: E6
> Metro: Ferenciek Tere on blue line
> Mon-Sun 11am-10pm
> Lacto-veggie, vegan - clearly marked
> Non-smoking area
> Menu in Hungarian and English, also speak German
> Starters: 300-750 Ft, main courses: 850-1400 Ft, desserts: 300-500 Ft
> www.vegetarium.hu

> health shops
many health shops stock a wide selection of fresh or packaged healthy snacks and cakes, as well as yeast- or gluten-free breads. Here are a few of the best for when you need a quick bite:

BioABC, Múzeum krt (E6 on map) - fresh cakes, pastries, organic fruit & veg
Napra, Szabolcska Mihály utca (B7) - fresh cakes, pastries, organic fruit & veg
Bioritmus, Third floor, Mammut2, Moszkva tér (A2) - fresh cakes, pastries, organic fruit & veg... but meat as well!
Cibaria, Pozsonyi u (D1) - fresh cakes, pastries (close to the budaveg appartment)
Nektár, Ferenc krt (F7) - fresh cakes, pastries
Csaba utca (A3) - fresh cakes, pastries <<