Markets showcasing Budapest’s essential flavors

A relative newcomer to the scene, the Downtown market is something you might simply miss if you don’t know what you are looking for. Targeting a clientele with a more refined taste (something reflected in the prices), the Downtown market is perhaps best known for its eateries. Besides a whole blend of local and international flavors, it is also home to several bistros of internationally renowned chefs. Tamás Széll, who earned his credentials as the chef of a Michelin-starred restaurant, opened his bistro here, elevating the cuisine on offer to the next level. Due to its proximity to nearby offices and public institutions, it is often the choice of lunch break destination for people working in the area.

Opening hours:
Monday: 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tuesday-Friday: 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday: 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sunday: closed

The Nagycsarnok’s reputation precedes it. It is the best known in its field, and no wonder as it sells a huge array of novelty items and souvenirs that are aimed to serve travelers as mementos of the great times they had in Budapest. There are a wide range of products, including spices, pickled vegetables and honey, which tourists can take home to share with friends and relatives as presents from their trip.

Opening hours:
Monday: 6 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tuesday-Friday: 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday: 6 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sunday: closed

A long-standing venue on the Buda side of the city, this is one of the most popular markets, and given that it mostly serves a more affluent clientele, it has a huge variety of regular and top-quality products. You’re likely to find highly seasonal products too, like fresh forest mushrooms.

Opening hours:
Monday-Friday: 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday: 6 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sunday: varied opening hours

The historic indoor marketplace on Pest’s Klauzál tér boasts bright and sun-flooded spaces where a growing number of booths provide fresh fruit and vegetables, appetizing dairy and meat products, an assortment of baked goods, and even lángos specialties on the gallery level.

Opening hours:
Monday-Saturday: 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sunday: 7:00 a.m.-10 p.m.

The Római market found inside the Nánási Udvar is a coy location inviting shoppers to bring their children along for an outing. The tenants all sell quality products, whether its cuts of meat, baked goods, or street food in case shoppers get hungry. The mission statement of the Római market is to become a closely-knit community. This is best exemplified by the importance of family here; there is even a park and a playground for the kids.

Opening hours:
varies from stall to stall

Szimpla is something of an outlier, since it isn’t a traditional market. One of the oldest and most famous ruin bars by night, on Sundays during the day it is also the venue for a small producers’ market and a charity kitchen. Naturally, the array isn’t that extensive, nonetheless the quality of the goods on offer leaves nothing to be desired. Szimpla market mostly appeals to customers through its fun atmosphere.

Opening hours:
Sunday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.