Sometimes you need to leave your daily routine behind and view things from a distance-– literally. This is exactly what rooftop bars offer: besides an amazing view of the city you can treat yourself to great drinks, tasty food and cool music. Such is TOPRUM, the latest addition to Budapest’s panoramic venues, set atop a hotel where residents have the run of the place for breakfast and from late afternoon. For brunch, though, TOPRUM is open to all – so we went to take a look for ourselves.
When we visited this place five years ago, it was called Tip Top Bar, where you headed up to the seventh floor for summer evening fun. However, loud music proved to be too much to handle for the people living in the neighbourhood, so the Tip Top folded, and the entire building redesigned – it continues to operate as the Hotel RUM.
The new owners wanted to make best use of the unique rooftop setting and the fantastic view, so they started the revamp, eventually arranging a permit from local authorities thanks to the installation of soundproof glass walls where a railing used to be. Noise should no longer be a problem.
The guests of Hotel RUM still enjoy their breakfasts here, so for now TOPRUM is open for drop-ins only between noon and 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. This makes it ideal for those who like to sleep in at weekends and get a delicious and hearty brunch afterwards. The place isn’t cheap, but the ambience and the breathtaking panorama compensate. Besides brunch superstars such as brie omelette, avocado caprese toast, duck liver pâté, shakshuka, granola, and chia-seed pudding, you can choose Asian beef broth, home-made gnocchi with truffle filling, or Hungarian specialities such as túrógombóc (cottage cheese dumplings) or breaded chicken breasts.
Start your weekend off on the right note – choose scrambled eggs with chorizo or eggs Benedict (1,750 HUF/1,990 HUF), or try the special that consists of a starter (tortilla chips with guacamole, 2,250 HUF), a main course (mussels with toasted home-made baguette, 3,350 HUF), and a dessert (Belgian waffles with chocolate, home-made jam or berry sauce, 1,850 HUF). Toast to beautiful Gellért-hegy with a gin-based Roxanne cocktail in hand or enjoy delicious pancakes with maple syrup. Make sure to reserve a table.
You can open the windows so you won’t feel like you’re shut in, and live music brings a great vibe, too. TOPRUM is operating in soft opening mode for the time being – the owners are planning to make some changes to the interior and the opening hours.
