Nowadays, everything can be combined - we live in a time of strange pairings. A good example of this is Mesterbike, which functions both as a bicycle-service shop and a specialty-coffee place. The establishment, launched as a family business based on a huge passion for everything that has two wheels or contains caffeine, now has its own uniquely decorated and well-lit location, a huge hangout that is difficult to pass by without stopping in, whether you're on two wheels or on foot – it is fast becoming one of the most unique “tourist attractions” of the city.
The origins of Mesterbike date back to 2011, when a married couple decided to dedicate their lives to their true passion: cycling. Shortly after they opened their service, they found themselves neck-deep in work without enough time for coffee breaks. The solution? They've added their other love to the brand’s profile. Yes, it might sound a bit strange at first, but think about it: it isn’t any weirder than a flower shop that is also a café, or a grocery store that also sells stockings, is it?
That’s how Bike + Coffee was born just a few steps away from the original service shop on Pest’s Mester Street. The smell of coffee and bicycle tires floats in the air, while the soundtrack for a sip of espresso is a mix of clinking coffee mugs and workers repairing bicycles. Since the whole back wall belongs to the service area, during our daily caffeine intake we can watch how professionals do what they are best at – or you can just stare out of the picture windows to the street, where there is always something interesting going on.
The aforementioned bike-repair professionals can fix all kinds of cycles, from retro cruisers to expensive high-tech human-powered machines. Their motto is that “everybody is born to be a cyclist, but some of them don't have a bicycle yet. And those who have one know that there is always something going wrong with it.”
Good news for lazy folks: you don't have to be a cyclist or a barista to enjoy this popular place – but still, just like with shopping for a bicycle, quality comes first. Coffees are changing on a monthly basis, so you can try different blends every few weeks. Mesterbike mostly serves lightly roasted beans with fruity citrus flavors. But that isn't everything: everything that goes into the coffee mug comes from a trusted source – for example, the milk is from a local dairy.
Some prices to peruse: espresso – 400 forints, cappuccino – 500 forints, latte – 600 forints, flat white – 650 forints, and suki tea – 450 forints. Meanwhile, guests who have worked up a powerful appetite by cycling to Mesterbike can snack on paninis, pastries, and tea biscuits.
Be warned: the atmosphere at Mesterbike is as addictive as their coffee, and we can't guarantee that if you hop in for a java you won’t leave with a bike. But hey, some might say that isn’t a problem at all.
