– Nancy Kamin Travels

DESTINATIONS hungary budapest Cafes

Cafes

From opulent, fin de siècle cafes to new wave coffee houses, Budapest never fails to entice lovers of caffeine. Confectioneries too abound to offer you traditional Hungarian desserts--make sure to try a good strudel or kürtőskalács, a spit cake best had with a cinnamon coating (look in markets or Váci street). Winter favourites include walnut puree with whipped cream and flódni, a rich dessert layered with poppy seeds, walnut, and apple.

Gerbeaud

Once the venue where the aristocracy would meet during the times of the dual monarchy, Gerbeaud will take you back to a time of sumptuous delicacies in luxurious surroundings, preserved to this day. Gerbeaud is also the name of the signature dessert, a flavourful cake layered with walnut and apricot jam and covered thickly …

New York Café

Located in the Boscolo Hotel proudly towering above the Grand Boulevard, the "most beautiful café in the world" is Budapest's sparkling jewel still evoking bygone grandiose times. Whether a sumptuous feast or a slice of creamy cake, New York Café provides a majestic setting to indulge in traditional …

Centrál Café

First opened in 1887, Central Café was one of the most important intellectual venues in the country, serving coffee to the most prominent scientists and writers of the time. Today, its mission is to evoke the atmosphere that prevailed at the turn of the century by serving traditional Hungarian treats in a restored Art …

Művész Kávéház

Művész Kávéház

Művész (Hungarian for "artist") is one of those cafés where writers, philosophers and great minds would gather at the turn of the century. It serves a wide range of additive-free desserts that are a delight merely to the eye, and its outdoor seating makes for a prime people-watching spot in the busy shopping …

Ruszwurm

Ruszwurm on the Buda side is what Gerbeaud is for Pest. Still run by the well-known confectionery dynasty, the place has reserved its "fin de siècle" feel, finely adorned with red velvet curtains, marble tables, and beautiful Biedermeier furniture. The famous cream pastry and strudel (rétes) are always on demand here, to be washed …

Gerlóczy Café

Gerlóczy Café

Gerlóczy Kávéház is a charming Paris-style café at the intersection of Gerlóczy and Vitkovics streets in the busy centre. Food is served from breakfast through lunch and afternoon tea, to special dinners like Fish Friday. In front of the café stands the statue of Károly Kammermayer, the first mayor of Budapest from 1873, when …

Callas Café

The Callas Café is located next to the Opera House in a neo-Renaissance building, constructed in 1880. It changed hands several times in the early 20th century, and also served as the headquarter of a British bank between the wars. Today, it provides an elegant setting to enjoy Hungarian flavours with live salon music, …

Szamos Gourmet House

Szamos Gourmet House

Szamos is noted among the most prominent confectionery dynasties in Hungary, specialised in the production of marzipan treats. Today they offer an extensive selection of confectionery at several locations in the country (including a chocolate museum), and their flagship store below also serves breakfast and light snacks throughout the …

Auguszt Confectionery

Auguszt Confectionery

A family-run confectionery business with deep-rooted traditions and devotion to serving desserts of varied flavour and exceptional quality. The first Auguszt opened in 1870; now they have three locations in …

Hadik Café

Once the gathering place of Hungary's most prominent writers, Hadik still enjoys a steady flow of visitors, choosing Buda's cosy flagship café for a creamy coffee, a light dinner, or a literary event — if poems scattered on the menu pages were not …

Lumen Café

With both locations in a buzzing university neighbourhood, Lumen serves great espresso to fuel you up for hours of work or a pleasant walk in the historical district, but you are also welcomes to settle with a good book or enjoy one of the events they …

Fekete

A quaint espresso bar with a small terrace in the heart of what is noted as the capital's oasis for second-hand books. Ham, quiche, and pancake breakfasts, and a quality coffee selection that ranks among the best in …

Artigiana Gelati

Artigiana Gelati

A tranquil walk in Buda's residential area will give you a completely different picture of the otherwise vibrant capital. This Italian artisanal ice cream shop is located conveniently next to Városmajor, Buda's green oasis, and has an ample selection of fine ice cream flavours, arguably among the best in town. The Sacher torte flavour …

Cafe Frei

Cafe Frei is a popular franchise founded by traveller-journalist Tamás Frei, featuring over 70 coffee specialties from five continents, bringing you genuine flavours from as far as Brazil and the Himalayas. With several locations in town, usually directly linked to a book shop of the Hungarian chain …

Cserpes Tejivó

Cserpes Tejivó

A traditional milk bar chain serving sandwiches and pastries, and a large variety of hot beverages, made with their popular own brand dairy products. With four locations in town, to make sure you won't miss locals' favourite breakfast …

Fruska Bisztró

Fruska Bisztró

If you feel like basking in the sun and great views of the Danube, you should visit the Fruska Bisztró on the Kopaszi dam. It has a cool terrace offering coffees, beers, wines and picnic snacks as …

Cat Café

A small friendly café near the Opera House, welcoming visitors with cakes and paninis, cosy, cushioned seats, cat-themed art and souvenirs, and most importantly, 15 permanent feline residents to keep you purrfect …