Google decides what to eat for dinner, goulash still wins

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 11. 19. 11:22

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Budapest’s tourism both preserves its traditions and moves forward with the times – this is revealed by the latest Turistamonitor survey by Eventrend Group, which was based on the responses of more than four thousand foreign guests. Guests of the capital came from 139 countries and, according to the survey, their decisions are now mostly influenced by online reviews: two-thirds of tourists choose a restaurant or café based on Google or Tripadvisor reviews.

Gastronomy – the meeting of tradition and awareness

Two-thirds of guests eat in a restaurant at least once a day and the interest in Hungarian food is unwavering. Goulash soup, paprika chicken, kürtőskalács, lángos and Somlói galuska continue to be among the most popular dishes. At the same time, the survey highlights that 40 percent of tourists follow a special diet, and every fifth is vegetarian or vegan. This clearly shows that not only the preservation of traditions, but also openness to conscious eating is key to Budapest’s gastronomy. According to the clarified data, special diets are increasingly emerging as a cultural and health trend and travelers expect to find a suitable selection in all categories.

Digital decisions, personal experiences

The online space also dominates when booking accommodation: two-thirds of travelers book on a digital platform – mainly Booking.com – and consider the location of the accommodation to be the most important aspect. The majority of guests spoke positively about Hungarian hospitality: 82 percent of them were satisfied, especially with the friendliness of the staff. Tourists most often mentioned cleanliness, English-language communication and the availability of information as areas for improvement. According to the survey, the most important factors for returning are fast communication, multilingual information and personalization. According to the research, more than half of visitors would definitely return, while a third are still undecided – meaning that the small details can determine the number of returning guests.

Budapest is iconic and livable

The Parliament, Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion remain the most popular attractions in Budapest, but the city is increasingly seen by tourists as a gastronomic experience. The capital simultaneously embodies historical elegance and a modern sense of life, which means strong international brand value. The results confirm that Budapest’s tourist image is dual: it attracts both first-time explorers and regular returning guests.