When you visit a new destination, there’s so much to look forward to from sightseeing to relaxing, and for many of us food is a huge part of a good holiday.

If you’re someone who can’t wait for that first night dinner on a trip then you aren’t alone. New research shows that 79% of Brits think enjoying authentic food is a high priority on their travels, but 75% of travellers find it a struggle to find local dishes and avoid tourist traps. However, one affordable city just a couple of hours from the UK has been praised for its authentic food scene, and has outranked Athens, Vienna, and Prague as Europe’s most authentic food destination.

Budapest is around a two-and-a-half hour flight from the UK and many budget airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air serve the city. According to the research, carried out by Saga Holidays, the city has a score of 98/100 for its authentic food based on data from restaurant reviews from across Budapest.

This Hungarian destination also a wallet-friendly city compared to many of its neighbours. Outside of the major tourist spots, pints can be found for as little as £1.50, while street food is an affordable way to enjoy the local cuisine without spending a lot of money.

On street stalls you’ll often find vendors selling lángos, a deep-fried flatbread that comes with a variety of toppings, usually sour cream and cheese and bacon or ham. You’ll find these treats for as little as £2 while walking around the city.

For a sweet treat, pick up a kürtőskalác, a sweet dough that’s spun around into a chimney shape then dipped in sugar. Toppings such as walnuts or cinnamon are traditionally added, although some stalls will also add some decadence with a spread of Nutella or even a swirl of ice cream in the summer.

You won’t struggle to find Hungarian cuisine in Budapest. Many of the city’s restaurants, even in tourist spots, focus on local food rather than international dishes, and range from cheap eats to fine dining. For budget spots, look for less glamorous, family-run restaurants. While they may not be Instagrammable, the atmosphere and food will be exactly what the locals eat.

Tamás Kifőzdéje, a small local spot that serves soups and stews for a few pounds comes highly recommended, while Öcsi étkezde, which has been run by the same couple since the 1980s serves daily specials such as schnitzel which you can choose from the handwritten menu.

The Jewish Quarter has lots of cosy and homely restaurants, and Gettó Gulyás is popular with locals and visitors. The goulash is highly recommended, or there’s an entire menu page dedicated to stews, which come with sides such as egg noodles, sourdough bread, or pickles.

Budapest has a handful of Michelin-starred restaurants, and Borkonyha Winekitchen is one of the most popular as it offers fine dining but still has a welcoming, casual vibe. It offers a four or six-course tasting menu, with optional wine or juice pairings, as well as a small a la carte menu that makes the most of local ingredients and offers a modern twist on Hungarian food.

Alison Porter, a product manager at Saga Holidays, also gave some tips for Brits who want to avoid inauthentic restaurants when they’re on a break. She said: “There are some signs that suggest a restaurant may be a ‘tourist trap’, such as multi-language menus with photos of every dish, or a prime location directly on a main square opposite a major attraction.

“If the menu offers generic ‘international’ dishes alongside local specialties, or the restaurant is empty during peak local dining hours, it may not offer the most unique, local dishes.”

She added: “Authentic restaurants often have menus only in the local language with minimal English, you’ll see plenty of locals dining there, and they’ll also have seasonal specials that change regularly.

“These spots are usually tucked away on side streets away from the main tourist areas, and the staff may seem genuinely surprised but pleased to see tourists.”

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