As it is with many types of World Cuisine, the US offers a vast range of Hungarian places where you can savor authentic goulash, chicken paprikash, or bakeries selling Hungarian strudels. Often, these are family owned establishments with long lasting traditions rooted in the old country. Moving around the USA is far easier and more convenient with your own rental car. Car rental agencies can be found at the most USA airports and other easily accessible places and some of them, such as AVR car rental specializes in van rental for large families to enjoy the comfort of a spacious van.
If you are in the West Coast, a car will take you straight to the best spots and the best Hungarian eateries in the area in no time. You will find driving there is easier than almost anywhere in the world!
Hungarian Food in West Coast of the USA
San Francisco CA
Starting in San Francisco, California, Paprika offers the best goulash in the city. As the name implies, they also have the best chicken paprikash. They serve vegan and vegetarian dishes as well as traditional, and are recommended by the Michelin guide.
Address: 3324 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
Webiste: https://www.restaurantji.com/ca/san-francisco/paprika-/
Sacramento CA
Sacramento is only an hour away from San Francisco, and a beautiful city where you will find a place called Cafe Marika that offers goulash and chicken paprikash and is loved by professional critics and amateur foodies alike. Here you can sit at a table or enjoy your meal at the counter as if you would in Hungary.
Address: 2011 J St, Sacramento, CA 95811, USA
Los Angeles CA
We cannot forget LA, the multi-cultural world capital of entertainment. Los Angeles offers a wide range of restaurants, cafes, and bakeries among which the United Hungarian House is an excellent choice that serves traditional dishes as well as hosting events and traditional Hungarian celebrations. Getting there by car is preferable and they offer parking.
Address: 1975 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018, USA
One of the main benefits of car rental is that you can visit areas that might be hard to get to. One such place is the Bermuda Dunes, near Los Angeles. The drive is only two hours with incredible views and scenery. Bermuda Dunes is also home to Chef George’s restaurant. It offers goulash and chicken paprikash and their very own Hungarian apple strudel, freshly homemade.
Address: 40100 Washington St # 125, Bermuda Dunes, CA 92203, USA
Seattle WA
If you are in the West Coast but farther north, do not miss Budapest Bistro in Lynnwood, Washington, part of the Seattle metropolitan area. Everything at Budapest Bistro is homemade, including their bread.
Address: 12926 Mukilteo Speedway, Lynnwood, WA 98037, USA
Albany OR
Instead, if you find yourself in Oregon, Novak’s Hungarian Restaurant was established in the eighties by a Hungarian couple in Albany and is arguably the highest rated Hungarian restaurant in the country. They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and their goulash and chicken paprikash are World famous. You can also find beef porkolt and langos, staples of Hungarian cuisine.
Address: 208 SW 2nd Ave, Albany, OR 97321, USA
Hungarian Food in East Coast of the USA
New York City NY
The East Coast, particularly NYC, is famous for its Hungarian diners and delis, established by Hungarian nationals who moved there and started sharing their hearty, delicious meals with passersby. The Budapest Cafe and Restaurant is possibly the most famous in the city. Located near Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum, it serves goulash, chicken paprikash, strudels, and other baked goods.
Address: 1631 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028, USA
Manchester NH
With your own car, you can and should visit New Hampshire, particularly Manchester, home to Lala’s Hungarian Pastry. Here you will sample their iconic goulash and soups as well as their pastries and desserts. Definitely a must.
Address: 836 Elm St, Manchester, NH 03101, USA
Danbury CT
In Danbury, Connecticut you’ll find the Goulash Place, a family owned spot established in the seventies that has been bringing the flavors of the old country ever since. Must try are obviously their various goulash and desserts.
Address: 42 Highland Ave, Danbury, CT 06810, USA
Trenton NJ
Trenton, New Jersey, boasts Blue Danube Restaurant, another family restaurant serving authentic traditional food with their beef goulash deserving special mention.
Address: 538 Adeline St, Trenton, NJ 08611, USA
About ten minutes away, in Ewing, NJ, and close to the airport, is Barbara’s Hungarian Food, where you can enjoy goulash, paprikash, and even bring your own bottle to have with your meal.
Address: 1400 Parkway Ave, Trenton, NJ 08628, USA
Getting a car from a car rental agency like AVR van rental will make your trip much more comfortable and enjoyable. You will set your own hours and schedule and see and try out amazing places that you might otherwise miss because of accessibility and transportation. Not just the ones in this article, but also many others are waiting for you.
5 comments
Given the large Hungarian communities in the Midwest, [Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago to name a few places I know of[ I’m surprised that you didn’t venture far from either coast.
Andy Boda, I agree! This article should surely have mentioned peloton in Cleveland. 💕
Balaton in Cleveland:
http://balaton-restaurant.com/
Miss Mocca on 2nd Ave near 81st St in NYC. Unfortunate that its gone.
You should mention the good online stores with Hungarian food in the USA. And there are plenty of them. Restaurants are cool, but buying stuff straight from Europe is a warranty of local ingredients. There are many websites where you can order Hungarian food deli. I personally purchase in Fabko online store. They have perfect lecso, goulash, and salami. And all of those are prepared in Hungary.