Downtown Pest’s quiet Molnár Street – tucked between Belgrád Quay and Ferenciek Square – is not bustling with hangouts, which probably further increases the popularity of Molnárka. At this cozy little café, guests are warmly welcomed by outstandingly friendly service, where the customers’ wishes are always considered to be important. The owner, Márta Rostás, meant for this place to be a breakfast café only, but she was soon persuaded by regulars to also offer lunch specials. Everything is delicious and made from fresh ingredients bought at the nearby market hall, and prices are pleasantly low.
We already spotted Márta’s special kindness when we popped into Molnárka for lunch some time ago incognito: even when the café is crammed she balances the trays in her hands with a big smile on her face, and she is always happy to chat with guests at the counter. It is not at all surprising that 85% of the customers here are regulars; people who work in the neighborhood do not have too many options for places that offer lunch. The café was quickly discovered by businessmen as well, hence, sometimes contracts are signed here, and Molnárka has also been the venue of company trainings, family gatherings, and birthday parties.
Anyone who steps inside Molnárka is immediately bewitched by the friendly ambience; there is a reading corner with beanbags, and a doggy who likes snoozing on the rug. Colorful crocuses on the tables greet the spring, while comfortable and soft window seats provide a perfect spot for people-watching. These tiny and tasteful nuances made us think that a talented interior designer decorated Molnárka, but this hangout was entirely decorated by Márta and her daughter.
Márta decided to leave her 20-year-long career behind when her son’s school put its basement area up for sale in order to establish a café for the school community, teachers, employees, and parents. This inspired the opening of a café here – that was called Wardrobe back then – however, after only four months they had a little crisis. Therefore, they rethought the concept and changed the name to Márta’s initial idea, which was predestined by the street’s name and a cake available here. This change did them good, even though there is a completely different circle of guests now at Molnárka, which they really don’t mind.
Molnárka was meant to be a cozy café, where guests can have leisurely breakfasts; nowadays, there is really no space here between 12pm and 2pm. Lunch specials were frequently requested by guests; Márta first tried to offer sandwiches, then a sandwich-and-soup combo, but in the end she “gave in” and now offers three-course meals. For breakfast, we can have a chicken sandwich or a pork-chop bagel (750 HUF), artisanal pastries (200-390 HUF), salads that we can put together according to our taste (650 HUF), and Molnárka muesli with fresh fruits and yogurt (850 HUF). We tried the omelet and quiche with salad (750 HUF), and a lunch that we can put together according to what we fancy: soup of the day or a main course (490 HUF and 890 HUF); the Kismolnár menü (1,190 HUF) that includes a soup, a main dish, and dessert; or the Nagymolnár menü (1,390 HUF) that offers dessert or coffee with the soup and main combo.
The Mediterranean tomato soup with fresh basil came in a surprisingly large portion, and we even found small bits of mozzarella in it. It was followed by chicken with homemade pesto, mozzarella, and mashed potatoes. There is always a vegetarian main dish available, which on this day was spinach lasagna. The dessert can always be chosen from the café’s selection; Márta started this business with her daughter, who soon discovered a talent in baking, which is definitely proven by the chestnut pie and the flour-free apple pie that we tried. The daily cakes (450 HUF) always vary according to the customer’s wishes, but the all-time favorite, flour-free chocolate cake, is available every day.
Molnárka makes meals without additives and preservatives, and also offers alternatives for vegetarians, and for people who follow a special diet. Márta shops at the nearby Great Market Hall, where she already knows which stand sells the freshest veggies and the best chicken. As the café officially belongs to a school, don’t expect to order any alcohol here, but fruity smoothies (300 HUF/dl), honey-fruit turmixes (4dl 650 HUF), lemonades (490 HUF), and homemade fruit-syrup sodas (4dl 650 HUF) are perfect to quench our thirst. As a religious order also belongs to the school, sometimes even nuns pop up at Molnárka. We truly love this charming café that proved to be a friendly place at an unexpected location.
