Kadar Etkezde

If you want an authentic Hungarian lunch there’s a good deal of choice – bustling canteens (or etkezdes) are scattered throughout the centre. The quality of these is wildly unpredictable. For every hot bowl of fozelek or goulash served, there are at least as many suspiciously bloody pieces of meat or lukewarm plates of pasta.

One of the more consistent canteens is the unassuming Kadar Etkezde on Klauzal ter. This is as ‘local’ as it gets – tables are covered with red and white checked cloths, elderly people sit hunched over steaming plates of mashed potato, and the walls are adorned with pictures of Hungarian heroes. The menu isn’t particularly extensive but it’s worth pointing out that the staff here are very friendly, and the service quick. Sometimes, it feels like your food arrives before you’ve even ordered it.

This restaurant might not stand out - in fact, with its permanently drawn curtains and limited opening hours (Tuesday to Saturday lunchtimes), Kadar is easy to miss. However, for a cheap, filling meal, it’s one of the better choices in the city.