Tucked in behind the Citadel, Füge is an unlikely place to find one of the finest selections of teas, cakes, small-batch jams and honeys, organic and international products, in Budapest. But here it is, attached to a cozy café that takes full advantage of the surprising array of sought-after goods here. There are also beers, wines and spirits too, if you’re stocking up for Christmas and particular about what you buy.
While a list of the city’s 20 best delicatessens might include quality outlets such as Culinaris and Nagymama Háziboltja, and shops that offer Asian ingredients, you won’t find an abundance of stores with a wider, more generic selection. Füge intends to fill this niche in the deli market by not only offering foodstuffs and ingredients but a small café as well. Even though the panorama from the nearby Búsuló Juhász is unbeatable and the neighborhood has no few restaurants and cafés, Füge’s atmosphere and array of treats make it worth a visit.
From the street front, you only see a cozy café, but once inside, the space opens up with shelves stuffed with great products. The shop keeps the best of everything, be it packaged goods or the contents of the deli counter. The café offers new-wave coffees, and various cakes and sandwiches, as well as gluten-free items. Runners often come by here after their hillside jogs, and tourists pop in after visiting the Citadel. In summer, the ice cream should not be missed.
The selection of baked goods, vegetables, fruit and organic products is pretty impressive, as well as the options for those with various food allergies. In addition to high-quality international products, Füge also sells the finest meat, honeys, jams, beers and wines from producers, manufacturers and small businesses here in Hungary.
We must also highlight Füge’s selection of alcoholic drinks, similar to a well-stocked duty-free shop, with special champagnes and fruity Belgian beers, as well as more unusual and luxurious brands. Many of these products are not easy on the wallet – special variety comes at a price. Still, if you compare these prices to those at your regular supermarket, you won’t notice too much difference. You probably wouldn’t visit Füge for an everyday grocery run – and if you do, you can expect gourmet variations of your usual purchases.
