10 Hungarian Desserts You Must Try in Budapest
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Hungarian food is amazing and everyone knows it. Goulash, lángos, stuffed peppers, rich stews... Budapest is absolutely a paradise for food lovers!
But after a good meal, there’s always one important question: what should you eat for dessert?
That’s where Hungarian sweets truly shine. Hungarian desserts are usually not overly sweet. Instead, they focus on balance, texture, and comforting flavors like vanilla, caramel, nuts, poppy seeds and chocolate.
If you have a sweet tooth (or even if you usually don’t), chances are that at least one dessert on this list will win your heart (or your stomach). Keep reading to know exactly what to order when you see these desserts on a menu in Budapest!
1. Kürtőskalács (Chimney Cake)
If there is one Hungarian dessert you absolutely cannot miss, it’s Kürtőskalács, also known as Chimney Cake.
This iconic sweet pastry is made from yeast dough, wrapped around a wooden or metal spit, slowly baked over an open flame, and then rolled in sugar. As it bakes, the sugar caramelizes on the outside, creating a crispy crust, while the inside stays soft and fluffy.
Traditionally, Kürtőskalács is coated with plain sugar, cinnamon, walnuts or coconut, but today you’ll also find modern versions filled with ice cream or topped with chocolate or Nutella — especially in tourist areas.
Where to eat: you’ll mostly see Chimney Cake stands in busy streets, markets, festivals, and around major attractions, and the smell alone is almost impossible to resist.
Read also:
Hungarian Food Guide: what to eat in Budapest
Where to eat Hungarian food in Budapest: top 10 places
2. Dobos Torte
I’ll admit it right away: Dobos Torte is personally my favorite Hungarian dessert.
And a big part of that love comes from the iconic caramel top. Thin, glossy, perfectly crunchy. For me, it’s one of the best things Hungarian confectionery has ever created.
Dobos Torte is made with several thin layers of sponge cake, filled with a light chocolate buttercream, and finished with that unmistakable hard caramel crust on top. The contrast is what makes it special: crunchy and smooth.
What I really love about Dobos Torte is that it’s not overly sweet. The caramel brings intensity, while the cake and cream stay balanced and elegant. Together, they create what I consider the perfect dessert equilibrium.
You’ll find Dobos Torte in classic cafés, traditional confectioneries, and many restaurant dessert menus across Budapest. It’s a great choice if you want something very Hungarian, but still familiar enough for first-time visitors!
Where to eat: I personally recommend trying Dobos Torte at Szamos Gourmet Ház. Szamos is one of the most traditional confectioneries in Hungary, known for its high-quality pastries and classic recipes.
3. Esterházy Torte
Esterházy Torte is the kind of dessert you order when you’re in the mood for something elegant, balanced, and not too sweet.
Made with thin layers of almond and hazelnut meringue, filled with a smooth vanilla buttercream and finished with its signature white icing and chocolate pattern, this cake feels lighter and more delicate than it looks. The nutty flavor stands out, and the sweetness is subtle — very Central European in the best way possible.
If you usually avoid desserts because they’re too sugary, Esterházy Torte might surprise you. It’s creamy without being heavy, sweet without being overwhelming, and incredibly satisfying with a good cup of coffee or tea.
It’s also a great option after a richer Hungarian meal, since it doesn’t compete with strong flavors.
Where to eat: for a truly authentic experience, I recommend trying Esterházy Torte at Auguszt Cukrászda.
4. Túró Rudi
Túró Rudi is one of those Hungarian sweets you won’t usually find in cafés, but you’ll see everywhere in daily life.
You can buy it in any supermarket or convenience store, usually near the yogurts and desserts. At first glance, it looks simple: a small bar of sweet cottage cheese (túró) coated in chocolate. But don’t let the simplicity fool you.
I love Túró Rudi! And yes, it can feel a bit strange at the first bite. The texture is different, the flavor is unexpected, and then something happens. After a few seconds, you get it. And then you fall in love.
It’s creamy, fresh, slightly tangy, and not very sweet at all. That contrast is exactly what makes Túró Rudi special. It’s a dessert with a personality!
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How to buy it: look for Túró Rudi in the refrigerated section. You’ll find several flavors, but the original chocolate-coated one is the best place to start. If you want to try the most classic and beloved version, go for Pöttyös. It’s the brand most Hungarians grew up eating, and it’s still the reference when it comes to Túró Rudi.
5. Somlói Galuska
Somlói Galuska is one of those desserts that feels deeply connected to sitting down at a restaurant and enjoying a full Hungarian meal.
It’s made with soft sponge cake, chocolate sauce, vanilla cream, walnuts, raisins and a generous layer of whipped cream on top. It may sound like it's a lot, but once again, Hungarian desserts surprise you with balance. It’s flavorful and comforting without being excessively sweet.
This is not really a café dessert. Somlói Galuska belongs on a restaurant menu, usually after a very traditional main course.
Where to eat: I recommend trying it at Belvárosi Lugas Étterem. Somlói Galuska is part of their tourist menu!
6. Rétes (Hungarian Strudel)
Rétes is the Hungarian version of strudel. And yes, it goes far beyond the classic apple filling most people know.
Hungarian rétes is made with incredibly thin dough, filled and rolled by hand, which gives it a delicate, almost paper-like texture.
Some of the most traditional fillings include apple, sour cherry, poppy seed, sweet cottage cheese, and even combinations of flavors.
Where to eat: at the stalls inside the Great Market Hall.
7. Madártej (Floating Island)
Madártej is one of the most delicate and comforting Hungarian desserts you can try.
Its name literally means “bird’s milk”, and the dessert consists of soft meringue clouds floating on warm vanilla milk, usually finished with a light caramel drizzle. It’s simple, nostalgic, and very different from what most travelers expect when thinking about dessert.
This is a great option if you want something light, not too sweet, and very traditional. After a big meal, Madártej feels gentle and soothing.
It’s also one of those desserts that shows how Hungarian sweets are less about sugar overload and more about texture, balance, and comfort.
Where to eat: the best Madártej I’ve ever had was at Szaletly, located inside the Time Out Market Budapest.
8. Krémes
This cake is all about light, silky vanilla custard layered between soft puff pastry. The contrast between the airy pastry and the creamy filling makes every bite delightful.
Krémes is the kind of dessert that pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee, a walk through a cozy street, or a slow afternoon break in a charming café.
Where to eat: one of the best places to try Krémes in Budapest is Anna Café.
9. Marzipan
If you love sweet-but-refined treats, Hungarian marzipan is something you shouldn’t miss in Budapest.
Marzipan is made from almonds and sugar, often shaped into beautiful little creations (from fruits and animals to elegant bonbons) and sometimes flavored with natural essences like orange or rose. The texture is smooth and the sweetness is balanced, never too heavy. It’s a dessert you taste slowly, enjoying the almond aroma and delicate finish.
In Hungary, marzipan has a deep tradition, and you’ll find pieces that are almost like edible artwork. It’s one of those sweets that tastes great with coffee or as a little treat while wandering through a historic café.
Where to eat: oe of the best places in Budapest to try classic Hungarian marzipan is Szamos Gourmet Ház.
10. Szaloncukor (Hungarian Christmas Candy)
Szaloncukor is much more than just a Christmas candy in Hungary. Every December, Hungarian families decorate their Christmas trees with these individually wrapped chocolates, hanging them on the branches with small strings.
Throughout the holiday season, people slowly eat them from the tree, often replacing the wrapper so the tree still looks full until Christmas is over.
Szaloncukor is typically given as a Christmas gift, shared with guests, and enjoyed at home during the holidays. It’s nostalgic, playful, and deeply connected to Hungarian Christmas culture.
The outside is chocolate, but the surprise is inside. Some of the most common fillings include fruit jelly, caramel, coconut, marzipan, hazelnut, and even poppy seed or plum pálinka–inspired flavors.
Where to eat: you can find Szaloncukor in supermarkets all over Hungary during the Christmas season, as well as at Christmas markets across Budapest.
Final thoughts on Hungarian desserts
Hungarian desserts are the perfect proof that sweetness doesn’t have to be overpowering to be memorable. Across cafés, markets, supermarkets, and restaurants, you’ll find treats that focus on balance, texture, and comforting flavors. And that’s exactly what makes them so special.
If you ever find yourself staring at a dessert menu in Budapest and unsure what to order, come back to this list. Chances are you’ll recognize a name and confidently choose something that’s already won the hearts of locals and travelers alike!
Good to know: many of these desserts taste even better when paired with a cozy café break, a walk by the Danube, or a visit to one of Budapest’s markets.
And if you still don’t have your itinerary for the city, check out our list of must-see and must-do experiences in Budapest to plan your days between one dessert and another.