Order another glass: the best wine-tasting experiences in Budapest
Get familiar with the best wine-tasting experiences and wine bars in Budapest, as well as Hungary’s most famous wine regions.
From romantic, candle-lit cellars to sophisticated, high-end bars, Budapest has it all when it comes to wine tasting. Whether you’re an amateur who just likes a good red every now and then, or a true connoisseur of only the very best, you’re sure to find the bottle of your dreams in this city. Trust us – Hungarians know their wine. In fact, it’s the wine capital of Central Europe. With 22 wine regions in the country, it just can’t be beat. You’ll soon find that almost every wine tasting begins with an impassioned speech about Hungarian wine and history. We love our wine, and soon you will too! So, when you’re in Budapest, don’t miss your chance to check out the best wine tasting experiences in the city – and in all of Europe.
Enjoy an authentic wine-tasting experience at ChampionWine
A night at ChampionWine’s is one for the ages. With over 450 different types of wine from all over Hungary, it offers a fabulous introduction to the best vineyards of the country — full-bodied reds from Villány, Floral rosés from Balaton, crisp whites from Szekszárd, and the famous sweet nectar from Tokaj. What’s more, every bottle is a prestigious award winner within Hungary, with some even having won world competitions.
ChampionWine is open to all sorts of groups, so whether you’re on a date, out with friends, or exploring Budapest on your own, this classy venue will deliver. You can book a tasting in their bright shop upstairs or in their traditional wine cellar underground for a more authentic experience. With your choice of over 40 different types of wine and a fantastic charcuterie board to boot, your night at ChampionWine will be unforgettable.
Choose from four fabulous wine & cheese packages to book today:
- 3 bottles of wine for 2700 HUF
- 5 bottles of wine for 3500 HUF
- 6 bottles of Tokaji wine
- VIP experience: 7 bottles of wine for 4500 (recommended)
Book with us to reserve your table and one of these exclusive packages.
Sightsee with wine in hand on the BudapestXplore Wine-Tasting Cruise
You’re never far from the Danube in Budapest and for good reason. At night the riverbanks come alive, shimmering in the golden light of the illuminated bridges and buildings. It’s a sight you don’t want to miss, and one that’s best seen with a glass of wine in hand. So, hop on board BudapestXplore’s unique river cruise and get ready to see the Parliament, St Stephen’s Basilica, Buda Castle, the Fisherman’s Bastion, and more from the boat.
Book a 90-minute tour starting at 16:00 to enjoy the evening sun, or a 120-minute tour starting at 19:00 to watch the brilliant sunset over the city skyline. Both tours give you plenty of time to take in the views and enjoy your wine. Your guide will give a bit of background about each wine you’ll taste as well as the history of the wine area it’s from in Hungary. Take this chance to experience a one-of-a-kind wine tasting experience:
- Take in the view from a unique river cruise
- Sip on your choice of 7 different varieties of wine
- Enjoy live music on the 19:00 cruise
- Travel by their exclusive transfer service
Book with us to reserve your exclusive spot on the boat! Then, meet your guide 30 mins before your departure time at Gróf Széchenyi Hajó, Széchenyi rkp. 6, 1054 Budapest.
4 casual hangout spots for wine lovers
If you’re not looking to make a night of it, but just want a glass or two, head over to one of these fantastic wine bars in the heart of Budapest.
1. DiVino Basilica
Located just steps away from St. Stephen’s Basilica, this wine bar has some of the best views in the city. It’s the perfect spot on a hot summer evening, so grab a table outside and admire the towering dome and elegant statues of the Basilica while you sip on a refreshing glass of Sauvignon Blanc – or if you want to do it the Hungarian way, add spice it up with some carbonated water to make a ‘fröccs’ (spritzer)!
Tip
Be sure to book ahead to get the best tables!
2. Kadarka
Taking its name from a type of grape variety that makes red wine, Kardarka lives up to it by presenting one of the most extensive lists of Hungarian wine. You’ll find it in the busy streets of the 7th district – the old Jewish Quarter and the party streets of today. Along with wine, it’s got a great charcuterie selection to grab a few snacks and a full restaurant menu if snack-time becomes dinner time.
Tip
Definitely book ahead as the place gets rammed on weekend evenings.
3. Dobló
Another staple in the Jewish Quarter is Dobló, a gorgeous wine cellar-esque bar that’s perfect for date night or a relaxing night out with close friends. Small and dimly lit, it offers a dreamy, romantic experience that perfectly suits its Hungarian-only wine list. Packed with local favorites at good prices, you’ll enjoy trying a few different glasses with your choice of snacks.
Tip
Be sure to book ahead, especially one nights with live music!
4. Palack
If you find yourself on Buda on an evening night, stop in Palack wine bar. You can’t miss it – just look for the Liberty statue on Gellert Hill! You’ll find Palack all nestled and cozy in Szent Gellért tér. As a more laid-back wine bar, it’s a great place for a casual night out with a bunch of friends who aren’t total wine snobs.
Tip
No need to book ahead but check out their website for more information.
Wine tasting outside Budapest
Blessed with fertile, volcanic soil, Hungarians have been making wine, or “bor” as they call it, since the birth of their nation in 1000 AD. Monks in Eger kept the country afloat financially with their wine-making skills during the Ottoman occupation. A century ago, the great kings and queens of Europe favored sweet Tokaji wine over any other – to the point that Peter the Great sent an army to safeguard the Tokaji vineyards. Since then, Hungarian have had to rebuild and replant after communist occupation, and they’re now regaining their rightful place as the kings of wine.
Today, you can visit the incredible wine regions of Hungary to get a taste of history, with each one offering different, brilliant flavors from the next. You’ll also find that our cellars are open no matter the season or weather – and to be honest, what’s better than a cozy wine cellar and a tall glass of red on a cold winter’s night? Exploring the wine regions is made easy when you know the top four:
- Eger in the north: try the famous Egri Bikavér (‘Bull’s blood’ in English), a deep, hearty red
- Villány in the south: enjoy a glass of world-class Cabernet in award-winning wineries
- Nagy Somló in the west: sip on the unique white wines in this ancient, volcanic region
- Tokaj in the east: treasure the sweet and fruity aroma of world-renowned Tokaji Aszú
However, there are 22 regions in total as well as their sub-regions to choose from, with the main ones being Csongrád, Eger, Etyek-Buda, Hajós-Baja, Kunság, Lake Balaton, Mátra, Mór, Neszmély, Pannonhalma, Szekszárd, Somló, Sopron, Tokaj, Villány, and Zala.
And remember, drink up but don’t drive — you can easily reach these regions by bus or train, or you can hitch a ride on one of our transfer services to Eger and Etyek!
Tip
When browsing the wine menus, look for the native Hungarian grape varieties of Furmint (Tokaji), Hárslevelű (Tokaji), Juhfark (white), and Kadarka (red).
Don’t take our word for it, try a glass (or two!) today
As you can see, Hungarians love their wine, and we can’t wait to share our passion with you. Book an exclusive wine tasting experience or Danube cruise with us or drop in one of our favorite wine bars in the city. No matter the venue or the wine you choose, you’ll soon find yourself immersed in the thralls of Hungarian history with every sip. Remember to keep an eye out for local wineries and an ear out for that passionate speech on why our grape varieties and volcanic soil make the best wine – then decide for yourself!
Q & A
- Where can I go wine-tasting in Budapest?
- Book an authentically Hungarian wine-tasting experience at ChampionWines or a fancy wine-and-dine BudapestXplore river cruise through JustBudapest.com
- What are the best wine bars in Budapest?
- Don’t miss the best wine-tasting experience in Budapest. Book a table at ChampionWines or a seat at the front of the boat on BudapestXplore’s wine-tasting cruise through JustBudapest.com. If you’re looking for something more casual, check out our list of laid-back wine bars in the city center.
- Where can I go wine tasting outside of Budapest?
- Visit one of the 22 wine regions of Hungary to explore the rich history of this wine-obsessed country. To get try all the best wine, hop through the top four regions of Eger, Villány, Tokaj, and Somló.
- What is Hungary known for?
- Hungary has long been known for its wine and has earned a name for itself with kings, emperors and presidents throughout history. Today you can visit one of the 22 wine regions across the country.
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