It’s almost undeniable that if we attempt to study or work at home, sooner or later we will end up in front of the TV or the fridge. For many people, the stimulating environment of a café provides an ideal ambience for inspiration or concentration, and so we rounded up seven places in Budapest where everything is provided for productive patrons: light for reading, Wi-Fi and outlets for laptops, and coffee and cake for motivation.
1/6
Alap
Alap, situated on Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Road, has a minimalist style and a pug named Dagi (“Fatty”). They serve those eager to study or work with many outlets, high-speed Internet, and Vienna-roasted coffee, and if we decide to stay for a longer while, we can also try a sandwich, cake, or even their lunch menu. Otherwise, we can stick to our laptop on custom-designed wooden furniture, on which we can even doodle, thanks to the paper “tablecloth” and pens, pencils on every table.
UPDATE: The place ceased in 2017.
2/6
Centrál Café
If you would like to follow the footsteps of famous Hungarian writers and poets, and think and create in authentic coffeehouses, you can certainly do so. Centrál Café is located right across the University Library of ELTE, so in case we would like to continue our war of words in the company of a strong, black coffee and the image of Magyar poet Endre Ady, this is the place. For a classic coffeehouse atmosphere, we can also visit the café on the first floor of Uránia.
Address: Károlyi Mihály utca 9
Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 9am-11pm
3/6
Csendes
“Studying in Csendes” became a classic concept among university students, especially those from ELTE, in the past few years. The bar between Astoria and Kálvin Square is also located near the institution’s Faculty of Humanities and Faculty of Law, and is capable or serving many hard-working students in its large, open spaces. Here, we can fit a few glasses of beer next to the books borrowed from FSZEK, but those who rely on coffee to boost their spirits won’t be disappointed, either.
Address: Ferenczy István utca 5
Opening hours: Monday-Wednesday, 10am-midnight; Thursday-Friday, 10am- 2am; Saturday, 2pm-2am; Sunday, noon-midnight
4/6
Konyha (Closed)
Who wouldn’t want to sit around in Konyha all day, with coffee, tea, and lunch at the ready? Moreover, the unit at the Madách Square-end of is fitted with large windows – ideal for people-watching – alongside lots of tables and some couches on the first floor, providing the comfiest possible way to snug up with our homework. This section might be the best for retreating from the world, where our study session is further supported by extension cords, lights we can expropriate, and a friendly service. , located just across the street – and functioning as a makeshift office by day, evening chill-spot by night – can also be a good choice.
Address: Madách Imre út 8
Opening hours: Monday-Thursday, 9am-11pm; Friday, 9am-midnight; Saturday, 10am-midnight; Sunday, 10am-7pm
5/6
Madal Café
Madal is a two-story, new-wave piece of heaven at , with chai latte and cascara, that is, two coffee substitutes rich in caffeine to keep us going. In fact, Madal Café operates two units in Budapest, but we rather recommend their District V café for studying, because of the comfortable gallery. can also be included in the specialty category, which can also prove to be a great study spot despite its small size.
Address: Ferenciek tere 3
Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-7:30pm; Saturday-Sunday: 8:30am-7:30pm
6/6
Solinfo Café
Solinfo Café near the is style itself. The lamps and pictures are all chic, and we will probably become so if we take a seat in one of the stylish chairs, as well. The many lamps are not only beautiful, but also functional: the lighting conditions are always ideal for reading, whether we drop by in the morning or in the evening. The café opens at 8am, so we can even start the day here with a freshly squeezed juice and scrambled eggs.
Address: Wesselényi utca 6
Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 8am-8pm
