Located in the newly renovated Klauzál Square Market Hall deep in District VII, the equally newly opened Lúd Café and Cake Shop relies on traditional values and carefully selected ingredients from nearby vendors to provide a satisfyingly sweet experience. Highlights include excellent Hungarian desserts such as Lúdláb, Rigó Jancsi and Sachertorte but shoppers are happy just to be able to rest their feet and chat over coffee.
The recently revampedKlauzál Square Market Hall is slowly but surely regaining its significant role in the urban fabric of District VII, attracting a more diverse crowd than before its renewal. Today’s visitors not only include pensioners and families from the neighborhood but chefs from nearby restaurants and tourists who have lost their way after a night of carousing in the party district. In addition to vendors offering excellent cheese, meat, fruit, vegetables and other produce, this historic building also houses a co-working kitchen by SéfPláza, a large supermarket and particular venues, such as a modern butcher’s. Until now, however, visitors have had no place to take a break, chat and linger over a cup of coffee.
When stepping into the market hall from Klauzál Square, you find Lúd Confectionery on the right-hand side by the entrance. Not only the first place here where visitors and workers can relax, the Lúd exudes a warm atmosphere. It came about thanks to one of the market vendors who assessed immediate needs (savory biscuits, good coffee, traditional Hungarian desserts and some novelty items, at affordable prices), found a talented confectioner and opened Lúd in September 2017.
The name of this café and cake shop, Lúd, ‘goose’, refers both to the famous goose fairs of the last century here, and a traditional dessert named Lúdláb (‘Goose Foot’) on offer . The space is small but seems to be usually full of customers. It also has a nice little terrace to have a coffee – not new-wave or specialty, but classic, creamy Italian roast – and even when it rains, the courtyard is covered by a glass roof.
While the French desserts are provided by a larger, popular confectioner’s, most cakes and pastries are made on the spot, with prime ingredients: butter from Boci on the market, jams from the owner’s stand. A vendor-to-table mentality imbues the establishment – they use what they can purchase on the market to make their products. This way, you can be sure that the dogwood jam will be delicious, the sausage scone will taste sufficiently smoky and the cheesecake will be made from exceptional dairy products.
The prices are down-to-earth, especially when compared to other cake shops in the neighborhood. Traditional Hungarian desserts sold here include chestnut purée (390 HUF), Rigó Jancsi (450 HUF), mézes krémes (150 HUF) and Sachertorte (490 HUF). French desserts all cost 690 forints. The above-mentioned Lúdláb is a type of cream cake, made with chocolate, cocoa and sour cherry, and there’s also a classic cheesecake. The savory mini-scones are freshly made and delicious, as well – you can order a handful for takeaway.
During this visit, it was obvious that Lúd has already become a real meeting place where people are happy to spend time. Its secret is simple: kind service, attention to detail – the whipped cream is piped over the hot chocolate, for example – while keeping traditional values in mind. In short, a family-friendly attitude with mouth-watering Hungarian desserts.
