If you have a sweet tooth, you should definitely taste a Hungarian dessert. Or three. Or six. CNN’s journalist can only recommend you to do so – choose any of these sweets, for example in the following confectioneries.
1, Rigó Jancsi
What happens when you combine soft chocolate sponge, sweet apricot jam, velvety chocolate mousse and a hint of romance? You get the recipe for Rigó Jancsi, a delectable cake named for Romani violinist Rigó Jancsi, who ran away with the then-married Belgian Princesse de Caraman-Chimay. Their love story has no happy ending (the princess left the musician for a waiter in Naples), but you will feel happy and content after tasting this sweet treat. ;)
Where to eat it: Hauer Cukrászda, Rákóczi út 47-49, Budapest 1088
2, Krémes
This heavenly dessert is deceptively simple: think perfectly flaked pastry crust oozing vanilla custard.
Where to eat it: this is a traditional cake so it is worth tasting in the oldest confectioneries of the city, in Auguszt or Hauer Confectioneries.
3, Strudel
Strudel is often associated with Austria, but of course Austria and Hungary were once united under the Austro-Hungarian Empire. At Retesbolt Anno 1926, a cozy Budapest cafe, strudel is the specialty and tradition here is extremely important: this dessert is made by following the same 200-year-old recipe. Choose from the three types: apricot, poppy seed or quark (a type of cottage cheese), we are sure that you will be satisfied.
Where to eat it: Retesbolt Anno 1926, Lehel u. 38, Budapest 1135
4, Flódni
This is a traditional Hungarian Jewish cake that’s a must-eat for sweet-toothed visitors here. Flódni is a five layered pastry consisting of rich fillings: poppy seed, apple, walnut and plum jam.
Where to eat it: Cafe Noe, Wesselenyi u. 13, Budapest 1077
5, Chimney cake / Kürtős kalács
Originally a festival cake made at weddings and other special events, this treat, anglicized as Chimney Cake, is found on street corners across Central Europe (in the Czech Republic it's known as Trdelník). Eating warm Kürtös kalács on a chilly day is a particular treat.
Where to eat it: Karavan, Kazinczy u. 18, Budapest 1075
6, Dobos
Dobos torte a classic Hungarian layered cake, sheets of chocolate buttercream and fluffy sponge are topped with a caramel glaze. ‘Dobos’ means drummer but this cake has nothing to do with drummers. It took the name of its inventor, Hungarian chef József C. Dobos. He wanted to create a pastry with a longer shelf life -- hence the caramel topping, which helps stop the cake drying up prematurely. But Chef Dobos managed to achieve much more: his creation is and remains a chic treat across Europe.
Where to eat it: Café Gerbeaud, Vorosmarty Square 7-8, Budapest 1051
7, Esterházy
Created in Budapest in the late 19th century, this layered delight consists of walnut infused buttercream and chocolate, adorned with a fondant glaze.
Where to eat it: this is a traditional fancy cake, try one of the old, historic coffeehouses in Budapest, just like Gerbeaud.