In Budapest, it’s easy to find kitschy souvenir shops full of ugly Parliament-shaped mugs, dust-coated strings of dried paprika, and Fishermen’s Bastion refrigerator magnets that haven’t moved an inch since the store opened. Such tasteless trinkets are poor representatives for the dynamic scene of Hungary’s modern capital, but fortunately, the team behind the city’s Projekt Showroom pop-up shops felt the same way, and recently opened a charming new outlet – joining forces with we here at We Love Budapest to stock some of the most intriguing items now being created by masterful Magyar artisans.
From now through September 19th (and perhaps beyond), you can find the most hip, most beautiful, and most original Budapest-related souvenirs in the world at the latest Projekt Showroom site, located just a few steps away from Deák Square, Váci Street, and Vörösmarty Square. For international Budapest visitors who have no idea what to bring back from their vacation, this is the best place to discover something pretty, useful, long-lasting, and that doesn’t cost more than the what they’ve spent on their entire Hungary trip. At ordinary souvenir shops, the selection is largely limited to overpriced old-school Hungarikums like a bottle of Tokaji wine, a can of foie gras, and a flower-embroidered tea towel. However, many up-and-coming local designers are producing special Budapest- or Hungary-related design items that are genuinely one-of-a-kind gifts reflecting modern Magyar aesthetics. While occasional design fairs provide a good showcase for these, the new Projekt Showroom locale offers the cream of the artisanal crop between 10am and 8pm every day in one quaint-yet-cool setting.
This fourteenth pop-up store created by Projekt Showroom awaits everyone who would like a Budapest-related design item as a memento or decoration. What you can find here are products from the most exciting young Hungarian designers, artists, and small manufacturers, representing the country’s 21st-century culture. There is so much eye candy here that you can spend hours walking from shelf from shelf, thinking about what would be perfect for giving to friends back home... or for your own home.
Of course, not every household needs an antique suitcase or a beautiful brandy glass, but here you can find retro rarities in addition to original treasures. Designer bags? For sure. Hungarian playing cards with unique graphics? Yes. Pepper-infused artisanal soap? Of course. We could spend loads of money here – there is no chance that you won’t find something to your liking. As real patriots, we associate everything with an old memory, from the antique pot reminiscent of holidays spent at grandma’s house to the funny drawings by Marcus Goldson portraying Budapest dive bars of a decade ago.Soon we’ll publish a more detailed article about the Projekt Showroom pop-up store, as we proudly share the same goal: to shed light what makes this city unique, cool, and fun. Meanwhile, stop by the new Projekt Showroom, and take your time to take a look around!
