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Hungarian Thanksgiving Dishes to Try in Budapest: A Feast of Flavors


Thanksgiving may not be a traditional Hungarian holiday, but if you're in Budapest during this season, you’re in for a treat. Hungarian cuisine, with its hearty, comforting dishes, aligns perfectly with the spirit of Thanksgiving. While you may not find turkey and cranberry sauce abundant, Budapest’s rich culinary traditions offer plenty of alternatives to make your Thanksgiving meal memorable. Whether dining out or cooking at home, several classic Hungarian dishes will make a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table.

Here’s a guide to Budapest's best Hungarian Thanksgiving dishes this season.

1. Roast Goose (Sült Libamell)

In Hungary, roast goose is traditionally associated with St. Martin’s Day, celebrated in early November, but it’s also a fantastic substitute for turkey in a Thanksgiving meal. Goose is a rich, flavorful bird, often served with crispy skin and tender meat that rivals the best roast turkey. Hungarian cuisine is commonly accompanied by braised red cabbage and roasted potatoes, creating a hearty and festive dish at home on a Thanksgiving table.


Realistic image of a Roast Goose (Sült Libamell) dish, featuring a crispy golden-brown goose breast, served with roasted potatoes, caramelized apples, red cabbage, and rich sauce. The dish is presented on a warm, rustic dining table, with natural light highlighting the textures and colors, creating an inviting and delicious atmosphere.
A beautifully plated Roast Goose (Sült Libamell) dish served with roasted potatoes, caramelized apples, red cabbage, and a rich sauce captures the essence of traditional Hungarian cuisine.

Where to Try It:

  • Café Kör (District V): Known for its classic Hungarian dishes, Café Kör serves a delicious roast goose breast that is perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
  • Kisbuda Gyöngye (District III): This traditional restaurant offers succulent goose dishes with all the trimmings, including mashed potatoes and braised cabbage.

Why It’s Perfect for Thanksgiving: Goose provides the same celebratory feel as turkey but with a rich, gamey flavor that adds a Hungarian twist to your meal. Pair it with Hungarian sides like dödölle (fried potato dumplings) for a complete feast.

2. Stuffed Cabbage (Töltött Káposzta)

Stuffed cabbage is one of Hungary’s most beloved comfort foods and is often served at family gatherings and festive occasions. This dish consists of cabbage leaves stuffed with a mixture of minced pork, rice, and spices, then simmered in a tomato-based sauce with sauerkraut. It’s hearty, flavorful, and comforting—everything you want in a Thanksgiving dish. While it might not be the traditional stuffing you’re used to, stuffed cabbage offers a unique take on filling vegetables with savory goodness.


Realistic image of Stuffed Cabbage (Töltött Káposzta), a traditional Hungarian dish featuring cabbage leaves filled with a savory mixture of ground meat, rice, and spices, topped with rich tomato sauce and garnished with sour cream. The dish is served on a rustic plate on a cozy dining table, with natural light highlighting the hearty texture and vibrant colors.
A traditional Hungarian Stuffed Cabbage (Töltött Káposzta) dish, filled with savory meat and rice, topped with rich tomato sauce and garnished with sour cream.

Where to Try It:

  • Hungarikum Bisztró (District V): Known for its excellent traditional dishes, this cozy bistro serves stuffed cabbage with generous portions and authentic flavors.
  • Paprika Vendéglő (District XIV): A charming spot near Heroes' Square, Paprika offers a delicious version of this classic dish, full of rich, smoky flavors.

Why It’s Perfect for Thanksgiving: Stuffed cabbage brings comfort and tradition. Its heartiness makes it a perfect main course or side dish, especially if you want something warming and filling.

3. Pumpkin Soup (Sütőtök Krémleves)

While pumpkin pie may be the star of many Thanksgiving dinners, pumpkin soup is the more popular choice for showcasing the season's favorite ingredient in Hungary. Creamy and slightly sweet, Hungarian pumpkin soup is often flavored with a hint of nutmeg, cinnamon, and sometimes even ginger, making it the perfect way to start your Thanksgiving meal. Topped with roasted pumpkin seeds or a drizzle of pumpkin seed oil, this soup is the essence of autumn in a bowl.


Realistic image of Pumpkin Soup (Sütőtök Krémleves), a Hungarian creamy pumpkin soup served in a bowl, garnished with a drizzle of cream, toasted pumpkin seeds, and fresh herbs. The setting is a rustic wooden table with warm lighting, highlighting the vibrant orange color, rich texture, and comforting nature of the dish.
A bowl of Hungarian Pumpkin Soup (Sütőtök Krémleves), garnished with cream, toasted pumpkin seeds, and fresh herbs, served on a rustic table.

Where to Try It:

  • Menza (District VI): This trendy restaurant serves velvety pumpkin soup, which is comforting and flavorful, perfect for a fall evening.
  • Börze (District V): Located near St. Stephen’s Basilica, Börze serves a beautifully presented pumpkin soup with a delicate balance of spices.

Why It’s Perfect for Thanksgiving: Pumpkin soup is a great way to incorporate a classic Thanksgiving ingredient with a Hungarian twist. It’s light enough to serve as an appetizer, warming your guests for the feast.

4. Roasted Root Vegetables with Caraway Seeds (Sült Zöldségek Köménnyel)

Hungarians love their root vegetables, especially in the fall when hearty ingredients like carrots, parsnips, and potatoes are in season. Roasted root vegetables seasoned with caraway seeds are a simple but delicious side dish that fits seamlessly into a Thanksgiving spread. The caraway seeds add an earthy, slightly anise flavor that complements the sweetness of the roasted vegetables, creating a dish that’s both rustic and flavorful.


Realistic image of Roasted Root Vegetables with Caraway Seeds (Sült Zöldségek Köménnyel), featuring an assortment of golden-brown roasted root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and potatoes, seasoned with caraway seeds, fresh herbs, and olive oil. The vegetables are served on a rustic baking tray with charred edges, on a warm, rustic kitchen table with natural light highlighting the vibrant colors and hearty texture of the dish.
A rustic tray of Roasted Root Vegetables with Caraway Seeds (Sült Zöldségek Köménnyel) features carrots, parsnips, and potatoes seasoned with herbs and olive oil.

Where to Try It:

  • Gettó Gulyás (District VII): This popular spot for traditional Hungarian fare serves perfectly roasted vegetables as a side to its meat dishes.
  • Borkonyha Winekitchen (District V): Known for its modern Hungarian cuisine, this Michelin-starred restaurant often features creative takes on roasted vegetables in its seasonal menus.

Why It’s Perfect for Thanksgiving: Roasted root vegetables are a staple of Thanksgiving meals, and adding caraway seeds gives them a Hungarian flavor twist. They pair wonderfully with rich main courses like roast goose or pork.

5. Potato Casserole (Rakott Krumpli)

Rakott krumpli, or potato casserole, is a classic Hungarian comfort food that layers sliced potatoes with hard-boiled eggs, sausage, and sour cream, then bakes it all together into a rich, satisfying dish. The result is a creamy, hearty side dish that will be a hit at any Thanksgiving dinner. While it’s often served as a main dish in Hungarian homes, it can also work as a side alongside your other Thanksgiving staples.


Realistic image of Potato Casserole (Rakott Krumpli), a traditional Hungarian dish featuring layers of sliced potatoes, eggs, sausage, and sour cream, baked to a golden-brown finish. The dish is served in a rustic ceramic baking dish, with a hearty, creamy texture visible, placed on a warm kitchen table with natural light highlighting the rich colors and comfort food appeal.
A traditional Hungarian Potato Casserole (Rakott Krumpli) features layers of sliced potatoes, sausage, eggs, and sour cream baked to golden perfection.

Where to Try It:

  • Belvárosi Lugas (District V): This cozy restaurant near the Basilica offers a hearty portion of rakott krumpli with the perfect balance of creamy and savory flavors.
  • Rosenstein Vendéglő (District VIII): Known for its traditional Hungarian-Jewish fusion dishes, Rosenstein serves a delicious version of this casserole with rich flavors.

Why It’s Perfect for Thanksgiving: Rakott krumpli is like a Hungarian version of scalloped potatoes, making it a perfect side dish for Thanksgiving. Its comforting layers of flavor will please any crowd and complement meat and vegetarian dishes.

6. Beef Goulash (Marhagulyás)

No Hungarian meal list is complete without goulash, the country’s most iconic dish. While not traditionally associated with Thanksgiving, beef goulash can be a fantastic addition to your holiday meal. This hearty stew, made with tender beef, paprika, vegetables, and potatoes, is flavorful and perfect for colder days. It’s the ultimate comfort food, and its rich, smoky taste will be a hit with anyone looking for a warming, satisfying dish.


Realistic image of Beef Goulash (Marhagulyás), a traditional Hungarian dish featuring a hearty stew with tender beef chunks, carrots, potatoes, and a rich paprika-infused broth, garnished with fresh parsley. The dish is served in a rustic bowl with a side of crusty bread, placed on a warm, cozy dining table with natural light highlighting the vibrant colors.
A hearty bowl of traditional Hungarian Beef Goulash (Marhagulyás), featuring tender beef, vegetables, and a rich paprika broth, served with crusty bread.

Where to Try It:

  • Kéhli Vendéglő (District III): This family-run restaurant is known for its hearty, traditional Hungarian dishes, including a goulash full of flavor and perfect for fall.
  • Frici Papa Kifőzdéje (District VII): This budget-friendly option offers simple but delicious Hungarian meals, including a satisfying bowl of beef goulash.

Why It’s Perfect for Thanksgiving: Goulash offers something different at your Thanksgiving meal while still sticking with a warm, hearty dish. Its tender beef and bold paprika flavors make it a perfect complement to other wealthy fall dishes.

7. Apple Strudel (Almás Rétes)

For dessert, replace your traditional Thanksgiving apple pie with Hungary’s famous apple strudel (almás rétes). This light, flaky pastry filled with sweet apples and cinnamon is a beautiful way to end your meal. The strudel is often served with a dusting of powdered sugar and sometimes a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla sauce, making it a perfect autumn dessert that feels festive and indulgent.


Realistic image of Apple Strudel (Almás Rétes), a traditional Hungarian dessert featuring golden-brown flaky pastry filled with spiced apple slices and raisins, dusted with powdered sugar. The strudel is sliced and served on a rustic plate with a garnish of fresh mint and a scoop of vanilla ice cream, placed on a cozy, rustic dining table with natural light highlighting the flaky layers.
A traditional Hungarian Apple Strudel (Almás Rétes) features flaky pastry filled with spiced apples and raisins, dusted with powdered sugar, and served with vanilla ice cream.

Where to Try It:

  • Strudel House (District V): As the name suggests, this café specializes in strudel. Its almás rétes is one of the best in the city, with perfectly flaky pastry and a generous apple filling.
  • Ruszwurm Cukrászda (District I): One of Budapest’s oldest pastry shops, Ruszwurm offers a traditional apple strudel that is both delicate and delicious.

Why It’s Perfect for Thanksgiving: Apple strudel offers a light yet flavorful alternative to pie, making it the perfect dessert for a Hungarian-inspired Thanksgiving meal. It pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea, creating a sweet and satisfying end to the feast.

Final Thoughts

While Thanksgiving might not be celebrated in Hungary, Budapest’s rich culinary traditions provide plenty of options for creating a festive, flavorful meal. Whether you’re opting for roast goose, hearty goulash, or sweet apple strudel, these Hungarian dishes will bring warmth, comfort, and a unique twist to your Thanksgiving celebration.

So, as you gather with loved ones in Budapest this season, why not take a culinary journey through Hungary’s finest flavors? Whether dining at a restaurant or cooking at home, these dishes will truly make your Thanksgiving in Budapest unforgettable.

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