In this entry would like to give you a small guide to the gastronomic offers which Budapest has to offer in early autumn. With 5+2(ish) suggestions where you can drink and feast while tasting Budapest!
September is the city’s true season of indulgence, when festivals and cruises invite locals and visitors alike to raise a glass, savour a bite, and celebrate the good life along the Danube and beyond. From unlimited slushies enjoyed on the waves, to the refined elegance of the Wine Festival in Buda Castle, through to buzzing beer gardens and inventive cocktail tastings, the Hungarian capital offers a calendar full of taste-driven experiences. Whether your passion lies in hops, grapes, coffee beans, or spirits, September in Budapest promises something unforgettable for every palate.
Photo: freepik.com
1. Unlimited Slushy Cruise
Photo: Silverline Cruises
Available: in all September
Cool off in the most exciting way Budapest has to offer – aboard Silverline Cruises’ brand-new Unlimited Slushy Cruise. For 60 refreshing minutes, glide along the Danube while sipping on as many icy slushies as you like – from fruity strawberry and blue raspberry to boozy delights like frozen margarita or frosé. With the sparkling city skyline as your backdrop, this cruise blends summer fun, cocktails, and unforgettable views into one irresistible experience.
But what makes this cruise stand out? It’s the slushies—served with colorful, Instagram-worthy straws bringing serious summer flair: Frozen Margarita, Strawberry Daiquiri, Vodka Rainbow, Frosé, Törley Granita, Aperol Slush. Be sure to book this cool experience, here.
2. Downtown Beer Festival — Szabadság tér
Photo: mavericklodges.com
Available: September 2–7
Imagine cooling evening breezes, rows of tasting booths beneath leafy sycamore trees, and a lively soundtrack of music. That’s the Downtown Beer Festival, where 250+ varieties of beer—local, craft, even exotic—are yours to sample.
Liberty Square turns into a leafy beer garden for six days, ringed by historic façades and a hop-scented breeze. Pull up a bench under the plane trees, sample your way from crisp lagers to hop-heavy IPAs, and refuel at the food trucks (yes, there’s lángos). It’s an easy add to any downtown stroll—Parliament and St. Stephen’s Basilica are a few minutes away. Bring your appetite, too: food trucks dish out lángos, Mexican bites, burgers, and more. Grab your official festival glass for about €10 and sip away! This isn’t just a tasting, it’s a picnic for your senses. Evening concerts, tapping lessons, and interactive brewery stands make it a relaxed yet utterly festive meetup.
3. Budapest Wine Festival — Buda Castle
Photo: insider.corinthia
Available: September 11–14
Raise a glass on the terraces of Buda Castle as the city’s signature wine celebration returns for four golden late-summer evenings. Expect panoramic Danube views, elegant tasting zones, and a mix of Hungarian classics and international pours. It’s the kind of festival where you sip under castle ramparts at sunset and forget you’re in a capital city at all. Tip: the castle courtyards fill up around twilight—arrive a bit earlier to explore, then linger as the lights come on over Chain Bridge. Here’s where elegance meets epicure: sip award-winning Hungarian and international wines framed by medieval architecture and Danube views. From Tokaji classics to cutting-edge creations, this festival blends tastings with artisanal cheese, meat platters, and masterclasses. Whether you’re wandering cobblestone courtyards or lingering on terrace overlooks, it’s one of Budapest’s most refined ways to toast the season’s close.
4. KRAFT Beer Festival — Dürer Kert
Image: Dürerkert
Available: September 11–14
A slightly more indie sibling to the Downtown event, KRAFT champions regional breweries in a permission-to-chat-and-chill format. For the craft-curious, KRAFT is a playground: small-batch pours, collab brews, and a backyard-party vibe at Dürer Kert, one of Budapest’s favourite open-air venues. Expect brewers chatting at the taps, music into the night, and a crowd that knows its sours from its stouts. If you’re already at the Wine Festival earlier in the evening, this makes a great after-dark hop across the river. Dates and venue confirmed by Dürer Kert and several event guides. Not “all-you-can-drink,” but just-right amounts—tap your beer, talk with brewers, and enjoy DJs and food trucks without the pressure.
5. Cocktail & Spirit Fest — Várkert Bazár
Picture: nlc.hu
Available: September 27–28
Britannica in booze, this festival is a pilgrimage for cocktail lovers and pros alike. Set in a scenic riverside bazaar, it’s elegant, interactive, and smart. Think mixology panels, brand showcases, tastings, and the national bartender showdown—the Hungarian Cocktail Championship. Two sparkling days at the neo-Renaissance riverfront palace beneath Buda Castle: mixology demos, boutique distillers, and elegant terrace lounging with the Danube as your backdrop. Think classics done right (Martinis, Negronis) alongside Hungarian riffs with local botanicals. Dress for photos—Várkert Bazár is one of the city’s most photogenic venues. Dates and venue confirmed by the Hungarian Bartenders Association and event listings.
Whether you’re a pro behind the bar or someone who appreciates a well-made drink, this event is a true highlight of the spirit scene.
+2in1. Coffee Week & Jewish Cultural Festival (Mid-September)
Image: Budapest coffee week Facebook page/ zsidokulturalisfesztival Facebook page
Budapest Coffee Week (Sept 22) steals your morning—or afternoon—with tasting sessions, cafes competing for your next cup, and everything you love about the city’s lively coffee culture. Budapest’s specialty cafés sync up for a week of tastings, latte-art throwdowns, and limited-release beans. Plot a “caffeine crawl” from grand cafés to minimalist micro-roasters; many offer flight boards and short workshops—perfect for sharpening your palate before autumn sets in. Dates confirmed by the event’s website.
Jewish Cultural Festival (Sept 7–18) isn’t solely food-based but exposes you to centuries-old culinary traditions through concerts and theater set in the historic Jewish Quarter’s heart. Concerts, synagogue tours, theatre, and film animate venues across the historic Jewish Quarter and beyond. The program typically blends world-class cantorial music with contemporary acts, making it both a cultural deep-dive and a superb night out.
These experiences are perfect for those who savor community, culture, and rich heritage—not just flavors.
As the month unfolds, Budapest proves once again that it is not only a feast for the eyes but also for the taste buds. Each of these festivals and events highlights the city’s vibrant culinary spirit, creating opportunities to sip, savour, and celebrate in true Hungarian style. And while the streets and squares will be buzzing with flavours, Silverline Cruises offers a unique way to take it all in: from the water, with the glittering skyline as your backdrop. Whether you choose our unlimited Slushy Cruise, a dinner on the Danube, or a simple sightseeing tour with a drink in hand, we invite you to raise your glass with us and toast to an unforgettable September in Budapest.