Budapest

hoff1

Would love to hear peoples opinions of Budapest...... night-life, food and drink & prices?

AnnaGram85

Would like to know this also - I'm going tomorrow :P

I've been three times at different times of the year, and I really liked the place.

I'm not really much use for night life recommendations, though. I was there once with my wife and son and we didn't go clubbing and drinking. I was there twice with work, but a lot of the entertainment was laid on for us.

solovely

Been there three times also (friend lives there). I've heard mixed reviews of the city, but I absolutely love it, any time of the year is great, although winter is obviously a bit more grim.

Stay: Pest side, even though it's apparently the more rundown side, it has more life, more energy, but stay in the centre.

Top 5 things to do:
The baths definitely (and especially in winter)
go to some ruins bars at night, you will need insider knowledge to find out exactly where to go - I've been to 5/6 and still couldn't tell you what they're called or how I got there! Great fun and really spectacular. They are these bars that evolved inside the ruins of old courtyard buildings, all really unique, great decor and really good vibe.
The castle - just the climb up and look around
The citadel - again the climb up more than
Margit Island - if you're into running, run around the island on the actual 5k running track, otherwise just walk over to it and wander around (it's an island in the middle of the Danube in central Budapest).

Other cool stuff:
Have a coffee in a famous coffee house
Terror museum - not that scary, not really sure it's worth it
Visit the display of shoes of Jews who were drowned in the war, quite compelling.
go to Heroes Park
Try get there during a festival, really good vibe.
The cathedral, stil haven't been inside, but looks great from the outside.
Free city walking tour

Irish bars are OK for a match or whatever, but if you're just on a weekend away, you'll want to check out the local bars. The nightlife really is excellent, such a good vibe. Drink is not cheap though mind, you would be looking at prices similar to at home in the good places. A glass of beer is about €2, a pint maybe €3/4, vodka about €2 but up to €4 with mixer. Cocktails at least a fiver. Prices vary hugely though depending on where you go (so rounds on a pub crawl can be dangerous).
Lots of nice places to eat also (although my friends living there will disagree) - Tom & George is our regular, can't think of the names of the others, but ate in a great Michelin Star place around the corner from there which was amazing and excellent value. Prices in Tom & George are about €10-15 for a main course, and in the Michelin Star place, 3 of us had a 2 course meal plus wine for under €100.

Local food is a bit strange, but some is nice. There's this yummy pizza like thing you'l pick up from food stalls - delicious! Oh and the Palinka (local drink) is strong but drinkable!

Enjoy!!! You definitely won't be bored!