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Since emerging from the iron curtain, Budapest has become very popular for those who want a weekend away in fairy-tale surroundings, without breaking the bank. Music, history, buzzing restaurants and of course, the famous Ruin Bars, Budapest has it all, often at a fraction of the cost of visiting other European cities. Whether you choose to stay in Buda (castle district) or Pest, there are plenty of charming locales to lose yourself in for a weekend adventure filled with delicious food, whether it be Michelin-starred or casual street fare. In Budapest, the options are endless.

When To Go

When it comes to weather, Budapest has the best of both worlds – although I admit it’s easy to say that as a visitor and not a local. The winters are snowy and cold while their summers are warm, bordering on hot. May and September are good times to visit but fear not, if you go during the summer, there are lots of options for cooling off.

Where To Stay

Baltazàr

A family owned boutique hotel in the world heritage Buda Castle district, Baltazàr is quite a find. With design inspiration from Vivienne Westwood, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, and Jean-Michel Basquiat and the Michelin Baltazàr Grill attached to the hotel, you could do a lot worse. Rooms from €85. www.baltazarbudapest.com 

Mystery Hotel

Located in District V1, some of Budapest’s main sights, including the Parliament, Heroes’ Square and the Basilica, are all within walking distance of Mystery Hotel. Rooms are styled and named after Corinthian, Doric and Ionian, the three styles of Ancient Greek architecture. The hotel also boasts a Secret Garden Spa and a roof terrace for those all important al fresco cocktails. Rooms from €140 per night. www.mysteryhotelbudapest.com 

Aria Hotel

Arguably the best hotel in Budapest, Aria Hotel is world class. This luxury boutique hotel was designed to give guests an unforgettable musically inspired experience with each of the guest rooms and suites honouring one of the world’s great musical legends from Tchaikovsky to Ella Fitzgerald, Rachmaninoff to the Rolling Stones. Add to this the rooftop bar and the award winning Liszt restaurant and your weekend away is looking very promising indeed. Rooms from €360. www.ariahotelbudapest.com 

Where To Eat

Borkonyha Winekitchen

A Michelin star tasting menu for less than €90 may appear too good to be true, but that’s exactly what is on offer at Borkonyha Winekitchen. Paired wines will set you back another €60 but when the food and wine is of this calibre, it feels like a bargain. If the tasting menu is too much of a challenge, the a la carte offer good value too. www.borkonyha.hu 

New York Cafe or Cafe Gerbaud

Oh how I adore the grand European style cafes, and these are two of the very best. With opulent interiors, smartly clad waitstaff and pastries worth the calories, these are the best cafes to while away an hour or two. Yes, they are touristy and overpriced but tourists do know a thing or two and whether you have a coffee or a meal, these are worth a pit stop on your Budapest trip. www.newyorkcafe.hu / www.gerbeaud.hu 

Mazel Tov

In the Jewish quarter, Mazel Tov is a restaurant worth getting on a plane for. The restaurant manages to maintain a Mediterranean feel throughout the year with its open garden in summer and heated garden in winter. The food is Israeli/Mediterranean so expect lots of aubergine, feta, hummus etc. Happily, the food lives up to the atmosphere which is not always the case. www.mazeltov.hu

Karavan

Also located in the Jewish quarter, Karavan offers casual outdoor dining that makes the perfect pit stop for lunch after visiting the stunning Dohány Street Synagogue which is just around the corner. Try the làngos, a Hungarian speciality of deep fried savoury dough topped with sour cream and grated cheese. Just expect to need a nap afterwards. facebook.com/streetfoodkaravan/

Divin Porcello

Thoughtfully presented small plates of charcuterie, pasta and cheese boards make this restaurant stand out from the crown when it comes to Italian food in Budapest. Try the melt-in-the-mouth arancini to start, and after, treat yourself to a generous portion of the Strozzapreti with shrimp in white wine butter sauce. The menu offers excellent value and the food is bordering on addictive. www.divinporcello.hu