Located on the Pest riverfront by Petőfi Bridge, Boráros Square is a bustling transport hub that thousands of people pass through every day, yet this area has a very limited selection of places to stop by for a quick meal or to get a drink... well, to get a non-alcoholic drink, at least. However, just a few months ago a small eatery opened here to provide high-quality food and beverages from breakfast time through sundown, all with the distinct Mediterranean zest of Greek cuisine: Frappellas. We try their frappés, shakes, desserts, and the unique grilled “pitaki” sandwich.
Despite the steady stream of commuters passing through it, Boráros Square is still far from being a popular meeting place – even though Bálna and Ráday Street are both located just a short stroll away from here. Most people just pass by, as there is almost nothing here that would entice them to stay. There is a HÉV terminus, and some tram and bus stops nearby, but the square still lacks good eateries, even for takeaway treats...
so those who wander around here early in the morning or after work were always forced to leave with an empty stomach.
Because of this, Frappellas couldn’t have opened at a better place, and it seems specifically designed to fill this need in the neighborhood. On weekdays, the place opens at 6:30am, so people can get a Greek-inspired breakfast at one of the counters or on one of the benches while enjoying the riverfront panorama, or take something along with them. Incidentally, if you’re wondering about the Greek theme, the reason behind it is that the owner is half Greek, and spent a lot of time in Athens – so she wanted to bring a piece of her homeland to Budapest. The atmosphere is welcoming; most of the time, the founder’s dog is chilling somewhere around the premises, meaning that there is always fresh water for our four-footed friends.
There isn’t anything pretentious or snobbish about the place, or the ingredients they use, or about their aims. Frappellas simply offers good food for a reasonable price – but of course, many of their specialty ingredients, like yogurt and olives, come from Greece.Their frappé is just how it should be: light, frothy, and available with non-dairy milk and alternative sweeteners. Such liquid refreshers, including shakes, are served in a takeaway cup for 450 forints, which – especially considering how much a cup of coffee costs at some Western-style coffee bars downtown – pitaki is more than reasonable. The strawberry shake is true delight: not too sweet, and there is just enough ice in it.
As far as the dishes are concerned, Frappellas offers things that can be easily consumed while walking – that's how the idea for the “pitaki” was born: a pitaki is basically a big pita filled with different meats and cheeses, and then grilled like a panini. We tried the chicken version: it was stuffed with Greek goods and served with tasty tzatziki. For lunch, this Greek sandwich is a must-try, especially since it costs only 750 forints.The desserts at Frappellas are outstanding too: ravani, baklava, chocolate pie, and the delicious “yogobon” (450 HUF) – a cold cup of Greek yogurt, biscuits, and strawberry cream. Yummy!
We won’t go so far to state that Frappellas invented something new, or that there isn’t a better takeaway eatery in District IX. However, if you regularly cross Boráros Square, you should drop by and have a frappé, a dessert, or a pitaki – anything that you have here will surely brighten your day, or at least help kick-start it in the right direction.
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Address:
Budapest 1095, Boráros Square 7 (Duna House) Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 6:30am-9pm, Saturday-Sunday: noon-9pm
