Summertime is often considered to be a slow season for new businesses, as most entrepreneurs seem to prefer making their debut in spring or autumn – but this summer was certainly an exception in Budapest, as we know of at least 33 enticing eateries, bars, and other hangouts that opened during the past three months. Burgers, sushi, Vietnamese food, premium ice cream, pastries, sausages, and fish restaurants bring fresh flavors to the Budapest gastro scene, while guests can also check out a new board-game bar, a cat pub, a French café, and a fine-dining bistro that are all now open in Budapest.
1/5
Cafés
On the city’s Buda side – especially in the area of the newly renovated Széll Kálmán Square – the selection of cafés was certainly strengthened this summer. After long preparations, the dream of Flóra Emese Tóth finally came true, and the French-styled Café Flore opened for business. Flóra and her family now also operate a cozy café, mókusch on Várfok Street, where it is worthwhile to pop in to devour savory sandwiches or beautiful breakfasts. BeoPlay Budapest awaits coffee addicts with cool motorcycles and surround-sound music within Bálna Budapest, while Gázlámpa Kioszk is the new winner of the title of the tiniest café in town, enticing everyone to Óbuda with specialty coffees made on a La Marzocco machine.
2/5
Restaurants
The downtown-Pest party place BRKLYN recently opened a new restaurant focused on barbecue specialties, The Market, spiced up with the expertise of renowned Hungarian chef András Wolf. A fresh fish eatery, HelloHal, was launched on Ráday Street, where we can not only devour flavorful fish soups, but also whole roasted bream and roasted fish à la Brasov. Tama Budapest, an elegant fine-dining bistro, moved to Pest’s Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Avenue, and now offers delectable dishes and professional service. Not far away, Bistro Fine arrived on Andrássy Avenue to offer guests an impressive wine assortment and mouthwatering business lunches. A new Vietnamese venue, Hánoi Xua, serves huge portions of pho soup,while for gluten-free Italian goods we can now pop into the Buda side’s Na’Pasta, whether we crave delicious pizzas or pastas. Japanika, a branch of an internationally recognized Japanese chain, opened near the Basilica to provide delicious sushi specialties, and last but not least, the residents of Budapest are now indulging in authentic Mediterranean flavors at Mazi, a great Greek bistro that we would return to anytime.
3/5
Street food
The burger craze is not over yet, as első Burg’n’Soup opened right next door to the National Museum; meanwhile, Crust began serving juicy sandwiches and tasty soups in the heart of Óbuda. The paper cups and boxes of Odú keep popping up in District XIII, as they offer high-quality dishes that are not too expensive. Züzü charms its guests with giant pancakes made with creative flair, and we also tasted fried pickles at Revolución on Akácfa Street, which is inspired by Tex-Mex cuisine. The s newest tasteful addition is , offering truly stylish sausages. is a great new café even if it is not a classic street-food spot, as they prepare everything needed for a picnic in a paper bag for their guests to enjoy out and about in the . And for flavorfully healthy juices, now we can visit , which offers all kinds of vitamin-bomb concoctions.
4/5
Ice-cream parlors/confectioneries/bakeries
Many new ice-cream parlors opened in Budapest this summer. One of our favorites is , with its all-natural and all-delicious treats, awaiting visitors at two different locations. on Pozsonyi Street charms its visitors with a truly loveable line of craft ice creams, while is a “cremeria”-themed new-wave ice-cream parlor and confectionery on . is Italian to the bone, not only serving sweets, but also functioning as a restaurant and bar. Also providing exotic sweets, a new confectionery with home-style Russian sweets, , further expands this sweet scene, while on Ráday Street helps people on special diets with gluten-free pastries.
5/5
Bars/pubs
The steampunk-themed is a truly exciting concept that abandons minimalist trends and offers tasty beers amid an extraordinary environment. Also providing a party place unlike anything we’ve ever seen, at the new we can enjoy intoxicating drinks amid cutely purring felines. We were truly happy to see open in District VIII, as it brings new life into the city’s world of wine bars. Three new terrace hangouts ruled the summer: Margaret Island’s and Eiffel Square’s both became beloved places in Budapest, while ’s plentitude of programs happening on every day of the week attracts crowds to the Danube Shore – even the members of Red Hot Chili Peppers dropped by for a pint. Finally, a new board-game pub is also entertaining Budapest residents; Game Up Pub will surely be a popular destination of murky autumn evenings.
