Holiday in Hungary: Summer foods come at a steep price this year – prices, Lake Balaton, festivals
Visitors to Hungary’s summer festivals, beaches, and street food events should brace themselves for higher food prices this season. Whether you’re craving a hamburger, lángos, or a scoop of ice cream, the cost of indulging in traditional seasonal treats is climbing fast, often surpassing even last year’s elevated levels.
Street food inflation hits hard
According to Zoltán Horváth, founder of the Food Truck Show, the average price of a mid-tier street food meal paired with a drink hovers around HUF 3,000 (EUR 7.4). Those opting for premium-quality food and beverages can easily spend HUF 5,000 (EUR 12.4) or more. Hamburgers now cost anywhere from HUF 2,900 to 3,500 (EUR 7.2 to 8.7), depending on quality and vendor location, Portfolio writes.
In Budapest’s upscale District V, the iconic Hungarian lángos ranges between HUF 2,900 and 4,900 (EUR 7.2 and 12.1), depending on the toppings. While the classic garlic version remains popular, more adventurous eaters are now offered gourmet variants, including toppings like smoked salmon.
Lake Balaton: No escape from high prices
Lake Balaton, a favourite summer destination, isn’t spared from the price hike either. The days of finding a lángos under HUF 1,000 (EUR 2.5) are long gone. Prices now start around HUF 1,300 (EUR 3.2) for a plain or garlic version, while the cheese-and-sour-cream favourite can cost as much as HUF 2,100 (EUR 5.2), influenced heavily by the vendor’s exact location along the lakeshore.
Ice cream lovers also face steeper prices. A single scoop of quality ice cream now typically costs between HUF 550 and 650 (EUR 1.4 and 1.6), said Balázs Erdélyi, president of the Hungarian Confectioners’ Guild. He noted that prices below HUF 500 (EUR 1.25) might indicate questionable quality or low-end locations.
“The rising cost of core ingredients like chocolate, dairy products, and pistachios has made production significantly more expensive,” Erdélyi explained. One kilogram of good-quality chocolate costs between HUF 8,000 and 10,000 (EUR 19.8 and 24.8), while a kilogram of 100% pistachio paste can fetch as much as HUF 25,000 (EUR 62), making a single pistachio-flavoured scoop cost up to HUF 150 (EUR 0.4) just in raw ingredients.
Behind the prices: inflation and labour woes
These sharp increases are driven not only by global inflation and soaring ingredient prices but also by a persistent labour shortage in the Hungarian hospitality sector. Erdélyi warned that finding reliable staff (even for basic roles like dishwashing or cleaning) has become increasingly difficult. Although seasonal work could qualify for a reduced employer tax rate of HUF 2,900 (EUR 7.2) per day, catering services are excluded from the relevant category, leaving employers stuck with the standard HUF 4,400 (EUR 10.9) daily fee.
Despite the challenges, there are some positive signs. “The situation hasn’t worsened compared to last year. In fact, we’re seeing slightly increased consumer willingness to spend,” said Horváth. He added that summer festival jobs remain attractive for young workers, particularly students looking for seasonal employment. It’s a unique environment that offers a mix of fun and work, and the enthusiasm among young employees is encouraging.
A tightrope for vendors
While the industry remains under pressure, insiders believe the sector can stay afloat, at least for now. “We’re walking a tightrope like many other industries,” said Horváth. “But as long as things don’t get worse, collapse can be avoided.”
For visitors, the takeaway is clear: enjoying Hungary’s summer food culture may still be worth it, but it won’t come cheap.
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