District V covers Belvaros and Lipotvaros, the central core of Pest around St Stephen's Basilica and the Danube embankment. It holds the city's grandest hotel bars, its best wine rooms, and rooftops with the widest views. The list below covers the rooms our editors return to, from a Four Seasons brasserie bar to wine bars on the Basilica square. Compare them with our best wine bars in Budapest and the full Budapest bar guide.
Szechenyi Istvan ter · $$$$
Kollazs runs the bar and brasserie inside the Four Seasons Gresham Palace on Szechenyi Istvan ter. The room looks out toward the Chain Bridge and Buda Castle. The drinks and the setting both sit at the top of the city's price range.
Hercegprimas utca · $$$
High Note SkyBar tops the Aria Hotel on Hercegprimas utca, level with the dome of St Stephen's Basilica. The terrace gives one of the closest rooftop views of the church. Book a table on warm nights, when it fills fast.
Karoly korut · $$$
St. Andrea Skybar comes from the St Andrea winery in Eger and pours its own bottles on a rooftop off Karoly korut. The list runs deep on Egri Bikaver and other Hungarian reds. It suits a wine-led evening above the street.
Szent Istvan ter · $$
DiVino pours Hungarian wine by the glass on the Basilica square at Szent Istvan ter. The list favours small producers and young winemakers. The crowd spills onto the square on warm evenings.
Sas utca · $$$$
Borkonyha sets a wine-led kitchen on Sas utca behind the Basilica and holds a Michelin star. The wine list runs to hundreds of Hungarian labels. Book ahead and treat it as a dinner with serious bottles.
Ferenczy Istvan utca · $$
Csendes Vintage Bar fills a corner near the university on Ferenczy Istvan utca with old furniture and odd objects. The mood lands between a ruin bar and a café. It draws a student and local crowd through the day.
Szabadsag ter · $$
Jonas Craft Beer House pours Hungarian craft beer on tap near Szabadsag ter. The board rotates through small breweries from across the country. It gives the district a beer-led stop among the wine and cocktail rooms.
Erzsebet ter · $$$
Blue Fox The Bar works the cocktail room of the Kempinski on Erzsebet ter. The list runs long and the bartenders lean toward classics. It stays open late and suits a polished nightcap.