This under-the-radar capital just topped Europe’s authentic food list

You might expect Paris, Rome, or maybe even Madrid to reign supreme when it comes to authentic European cuisine, but this year, it’s Budapest, Hungary that takes the culinary crown. According to new research from travel company Saga, the Hungarian capital was just named Europe’s most authentic food city, scoring an impressive 98 out of 100.

Saga’s study analyzed more than 5,000 restaurants across 125 European cities applying Google reviews, specifically tracking how often diners mentioned the words “authentic” and “traditional.” They also factored in overall customer ratings to find the places where local flavor truly shines through. The result? Budapest beat out some of Europe’s most famous food destinations, and foodies are officially taking note.

At the heart of Budapest’s food culture is one key ingredient: paprika. It reveals up in everything from the counattempt’s iconic Goulash (Gulyás), a hearty beef stew, to the beloved Chicken Paprikash (Csirkepaprikás), a creamy, comforting classic that’s practically a national treasure.

Beyond the stews, Budapest’s street food scene is thriving too. Grab a lángos (deep-fried flatbread topped with sour cream and cheese) from a market stall, or explore the city’s busy food halls for a true taste of local life.

In second place is Piraeus, Greece (97/100), a port city overflowing with fresh seafood like mussels, golden fried bakaliaros (cod), and horta, a local favorite created from steamed greens like dandelion and wild spinach.

Rounding out the top three is Athens (96/100), which snagged the highest review sentiment overall thanks to its lively tavernas and timeless dishes like gyros and souvlaki.

For those viewing to escape the crowds, Heraklion, Greece, was ranked the most authentic off-the-beaten-path food city, followed by Vila Nova de Gaia in Portugal and Pula in Croatia. The list also features Thessaloniki and Kalamata, reinforcing Greece’s reputation as a great off-the-beaten-path culinary destination.

And if you’re lucky enough to eat your way through Greece, don’t miss Avgolemono, a silky lemon-and-egg soup, or Fava, a smooth dip created from yellow split peas and spices. The best way to experience it all? Order meze, Greece’s version of tapas, and sample a little bit of everything. Becautilize when it comes to authentic European eats, it turns out the best flavors might not come from where you’d expect.