Almost every week this year something exciting opened up in Budapest, from huge clubs to tiny cafés. Here we look back at some of the most promising young guns to hit the scene in 2014.
This year the inner part of the 7th District remained the trendiest neighbourhood, but luckily, many also recognised potential in less frequented spots. If one spot happens to be successful, it often attracts others - not as competitors but in search of a paved road. In 2014, hardly a day went by without an opening: some places broke through quite swiftly, but natural selection was also at work. These picks include spots popular with readers as well as our personal favourites.Clubs and barsThe first quarter went off with a bang: the Akvárium Klub, for one, underwent restructuring. The complete touch-up required half-a-year, but it was well worth the wait with the Aqua Bistro and two other halls turning out great. The larger concert hall of the entertainment complex in Erzsébet Square has become perhaps the best venue for hosting popular international acts. March saw the opening of LÄRM, the place that has become the home of underground electronic music within the popular Fogasház. This spot is characterised by outstanding audio as well as parties for "gourmets". Sticking with electronic music, we must also note PRLMNT, another spot that forgoes the traditional Friday-Saturday parties – the one-time Szikra cinema hosts special events. We spent the summer mainly at four spots: one was raqpart at the Pest-end of the Chain Bridge with its wonderful panorama and guests like Jude Law, who stayed at Gresham Palace just opposite it. Another was 360 Bar, the open air club atop the one-time Paris Department Store, where the view is breathtaking and chill-out hour starts right after work. The two other spots that deserve special mention are the Gozsdu Sky Terrace atop the car park of Gozsdu Udvar, and Mazel Tov, attracting a huge following with its musical shenanigans and its excellent kitchen.
November saw the launch of Óbuda's hotshots, Mirror and Grand, at Új Udvar, and following its summer test run Tesla also opened just before Christmas. Two downright professional cocktail bars were also set up in the 7th District; WarmUp and Pharma, which might not just serve as the "opening acts" to your night out, but as the main attraction.Restaurants and breakfast spotsBoth the fine dining and the street food scene offered real surprises this year. After a 3-year hiatus, Babel Delicate returned with a new concept at a new location. It joined the popular spots at Piarista köz as the most elegant and sophisticated of the bunch. In Dob Street, a growing number of eateries and bars accompany the Frölich Confectionery, including the most photographed café/restaurant of Budapest, Vintage Garden. The raw juice bar Juicy emerged as a gap filling spot too.
The problem of "only fries, please" was solved in a quite straightforward and unpretentious manned by Chips & Dips. A few minutes walk takes us to Stika with its always cheery and elegant men and their filling breakfasts. Apropos breakfast: Zoska near Károlyi Garden was an instant favourite too.
This year, pho mania was joined by ramen obsession thanks to Ramenka, while Budapest's pizza front also received reinforcements in the form of Pizzica and its pasta-based Roman-style delicacies - these square-shaped bites are always great. In this, they are no different from the pistachio ice filled brioche served at Gelati & Co between Váci Street and Veres Pálné Street, and MAMO. We'd willingly make a trip for it in winter as well. At the end of 2014, Chef Lali opened a new spot in Belvárosi piac,where specialities include an inside-out sausage sandwich, cholent, and pho. Séf utcája has probably started a new trend at the market hall of Hold Street.
And now, we are eager to see the developments, new spots, and ideas 2015 will have on the menu.
