A few years ago, Ráday Street – in downtown Pest’s District IX, beginning at Kálvin Square – was one of the city’s best areas for terrace dining and drinking. However, the rapid development of District VII’s nightlife zone, combined with massive construction work for the new M4 metro stop at Kálvin Square, didn’t exactly benefit the neighborhood. Fortunately, it seems that this area is now rebounding, and the recent renewal of one of Ráday’s most legendary restaurants, Pink Cadillac, should boost the revival – now this pizzeria spreads good vibrations with a new California-inspired décor.

Less than a decade ago, slender Ráday Street was almost constantly buzzing with crowds conversing and carousing at the many terrace eateries and bars that line the lane for blocks on end; it was no coincidence that this was the location chosen for Hungary’s first restaurant to earn a Michelin star, Costes.

However, when the Kálvin Square M4 metro-station construction began a few years ago – blocking pedestrians from easily accessing this once-bustling nightlife mecca – Ráday Street experienced a dramatic decline in popularity among locals and tourists alike. However, with the Kálvin Square construction now fully complete, it seems that Ráday Street is poised to reclaim its rightful role as one of the city’s best stretches for alfresco fun this summer – and the renewal of the nearly 20-year-old Pink Cadillac pizzeria is certainly a solid sign of this revival.

Pink Cadillac California brings a new atmosphere to Budapest, with surfboards and beach scenery everywhere. Fortunately, the new interior still features its classic pink Cadillac, jutting out from the wall right above the bar.

Despite the renewal, this nearly cultic place doesn’t want to completely break with old traditions; therefore, the menu is more or less the same with a few minor changes, which is good news for regular guests. Still, luring in new guests is also an important aspect for the restaurant, so the menu features not only some rethought dishes, but hamburgers as well.

One of the most sympathetic characteristics of Pink Cadillac is its modesty: it doesn’t want to compete with the city’s most popular restaurants, but to simply offer high quality food made from the best possible ingredients, served amid a laid-back atmosphere where anyone is welcome. One indication of this is that the management is striving to keep the price of their steaks under 4,000 forints.

For appetizers, we ate scones baked from pizza dough, then proceeded to sirloin slices served with chili-ginger-tomato arugula salad (2,850 HUF), a California pizza (2,390 HUF), penne all’Arrabbiata (1,590 HUF), and th tenderloin steak served on a bed of oyster mushrooms and vegetables with green-pepper sauce (3,690 HUF).

Among the desserts, we chose the blueberry cheesecake (850 HUF). The dishes were tasty and high-quality, although it feels like the restaurant is still in a transitory phase – an issue that will probably be resolved with time.

Pink Cadillac California is a good reason for locals and city visitors to become familiar with this area again, whether for eating or drinking. The restaurant wants to introduce a child-friendly area as well within a separate room in the back, which could be reserved on Sundays for families with children.
Pink Cadillac California
Address:

Budapest 1092, Ráday Street 22


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