If you love eggs and hearty breakfasts are your thing, you’ve probably wondered why Budapest was missing a breakfast joint dedicated almost exclusively to this popular morning staple. That is, until now, because with the recent opening of Eggoist on downtown’s busy Holló Street, early birds can now start the day with their favorite dish prepared in a bunch of varieties. In addition to the wide range of omelets and poached eggs, the new eatery also serves quesadillas, chicken sausages, salads, and more substantial options like English breakfasts or even salmon and caviar with bubbly champagne.
Having to grab breakfast in a hurry or skip it altogether can put a frown on the faces of many people, especially those who would trade breakfast for dinner any day of the week and have a whole ritual planned for every morning with a cup of steaming coffee and a sandwich, oatmeal, muesli, or irresistible baked goods. Luckily, there are plenty of spots citywide serving an astounding assortment of breakfast options, often all day long. Nevertheless, going out for the first meal of the day or a decadent brunch during the weekend can be more expensive than most of us would like: a coffee paired with a decent sandwich, buttery croissant, or a slice of homemade cake can easily set you back more than 1,000 forints.
At Eggoist, one of the main aims is to offer food that is both reasonably priced and enjoyable to eat. We recently dropped by for a friendly tasting before the official launch, and we were delighted to learn that the most affordable options (such as banana pancakes) start at 480 forints, while the most extravagant menu item (breakfast with caviar and champagne) costs 1,380 forints. The owners are adamant about having a responsible attitude toward business and gastronomy: they use organic milk, the utensils are environmentally friendly, the sauces and dressings are all made on the spot from original recipes, and the eggs are sourced from the YouTyúk network (an online service where you can “adopt” a chicken raised by a Hungarian farmer, who provides you with a desired number of eggs exclusively produced by that particular bird).
The interior of Eggoist is inspired by Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There, because of the connection between the eatery’s main profile and the character Humpty Dumpty, but due to the small size of the premises there are only a few design hints to Lewis Carroll’s famous story. There’s a seating area indoors by the window, but the small terrace is also a pleasant spot to savor a big plateful of filling breakfast or an afternoon snack. We sampled a dish called EGGplan (680 forints) with homemade eggplant and egg cream, crispy bread, and an egg garnish that is similar in texture to caviar. We also tried the poached egg creation named Julia Roberts (780 forints), which features an egg served on a multi-grain baguette with remoulade, strips of bacon, and fresh lettuce. If you’re feeling particularly ravenous, the eggs Benedict made from two eggs is a great choice, and if you think there’s still room for more, you could also order pancakes with banana and maple syrup.
Eggoist is also present at a pop-up location called One More Café in Gozsdu, where eggy breakfast dishes are available from 8am through 11pm.
Address: Budapest 1075, Holló u. 3 Eggoist Facebook
