When I moved to Budapest it took a little while before finding the right places to shop... The supermarkets provide you the basic groceries but some products are more difficult to find. I am so thankful to my friends who shared their best tips with me and took me around in the different markets in Budapest. I have now found my favourites and know what I can find in the different markets. Choosing a market instead of a big supermarket is also much more fun, you can get closer to the Hungarian culture, kitchen and learn to use the seasonal products.
Fenyi utca Piac
Fenyi utca market just behind the Mammut shopping centre on the Buda side is an authentic market and very popular amongst the locals. It is my favourite place for fruits and vegetables but here you can find almost everything you need. On the top floor you can find a great cheese shop selling also some other delicacies. As you continue one floor down there are a couple of really good places for ham and sausages as well as a good quality butcher. Don’t miss the flower stands on the same floor. For spices, I recommend you to visit the little specialized shop on the ground floor.
Address: 1024 Budapest, Lövőház utca 12
Opening hours:
Monday - Friday: 06:00 - 18:00
Saturday: 06:00 - 14:00
Sunday: special opening hours
Belvarosi Piac / Hold utca Piac
The Downtown Market is located on the Pest side near the Liberty square. There has been an interest to make this market busier by renovating it and opening some new shops. This is a really good choice for everybody living in the city! The fish shop is very popular as are the small little lunch restaurants on the second floor. Around the market in the nearby blocks you can find many excellent restaurants and nice cafes. Definitely a place to visit!
Address: 1054 Budapest, Hold utca 13
Opening hours:
Monday: 6:30 - 17:00
Tuesday - Friday: 6:30 - 18:00
Saturday: 6:30 - 14:00
Sunday: closed
The Great Market Hall
This is the most famous of all the markets in Budapest. It is an amazing beautiful building with a lot of history. Here you can find everything you need but some stands are mostly touristic and you might find yourself disappointed for the quality. However, some of the products are really good so just choose carefully. As there are many tourists, be careful and aware of the pickpockets. This is a must place to see!
Address: 1093 Budapest, Vámház körút 1-3
Opening hours:
Monday: 06:00 - 17:00
Tuesday - Friday: 06:00 - 18:00
Saturday: 06:00 - 15:00
Sunday: closed
Bio Food Market
On the Buda side near Mom Park you find a weekly farmers market specialized in bio products. The farmers come to this outdoors market to sell their products so here you can find very good quality bio products that come from the surrounding areas of Budapest. It is a really nice activity for a Saturday.
Address: 1124 Budapest, Csörsz Street 18 (MOM Cultural Centre's courtyard)
Opening hours:
Saturday, 06:30-13:00
Fish Market Budaörs
It’s not easy to find good fish in Budapest. This is not a big surprise taking into consideration the geographical location quite long from the sea as well as the fact that fish is not an important part of the Hungarian cuisine. It took me a while but now I know where to get my fish and seafood.
If you are visiting Budaörs, a stop at the Fish Market might be a worth your while. The market is located in the industrial area so it is best reached by car. You can buy your fish to take home and also visit the relaxed restaurant, the Dock Buffet. You should not expect anything fancy but rather fresh products prepared in a simple way.
Address: 2040 Budapest, Törökbálinti Street 23
Christmas Markets
Budapest is famous for its beautiful Christmas markets that are spread all around the city. The biggest and most famous markets are in the heart of the city near Basilica and on the Vörösmarty Square. You can easily spend some hours enjoying the Christmas atmosphere, enjoying some traditional Hungarian Christmas dishes, warm wine and all kinds of sweet things. There are also many arts and crafts for sale.
Other Markets
Fehérvári Street Market
1117 Budapest, Kőrösi József utca 7-9
Lehel Csarnok
1134 Budapest, Váci út 9-15
Szimpla Kert
1075 Budapest, Kazinczy utca 14
Ecseri market
1194, Budapest, Nagykőrösi út 156
