Though busy Akácfa Street is right in the heart of Budapest’s party district, there are plenty of great eateries here as well that are worth a visit. Two new places, Lara Café and Chris Bar & Burger have recently popped up here – just a few steps away from Budapest’s Grand Boulevard – with two very distinct profiles and personalities yet one thing in common. They’re both run by Krisztián Hőgenwarth and Laura Czeglédi, who are not only business partners, but also a couple in real life.
A homely breakfast place
Lara Café brings some warmth and a homely feel to the party district. It is a tiny but charming and friendly breakfast spot with warm colours, wooden surfaces, huge windows and plenty of green plants. There’s a long counter by the window with seats perfect for people watching, and round tables with a view to the open kitchen where all the magic happens. Stepping inside Lara Café, you’ll be welcomed with a smile by the friendly staff and will feel at home as you sit back and enjoy a lazy breakfast or brunch.
Quality ingredients and a signature coffee
The menu features pretty much everything you’d expect from a breakfast place, including both sweet and savoury, as well as meaty and vegetarian options. There are hearty sandwiches, salmon bagel, various croissants, egg dishes and even bowls named after the owner topped with goat cheese, grilled chicken or smoked salmon. Those with a sweet tooth will also find something to their liking, thanks to offers such as waffles with Nutella, sweet French toast and cakes. The drink list includes freshly-squeezed juices, smoothies, teas and soft drinks,
as well as coffee that comes straight from the couple's own plantation in Ethiopia.
as well as coffee that comes straight from the couple's own plantation in Ethiopia.
A laid-back burger place
Chris Bar & Burger is right next to Lara Café, and while the two places are similar in size and structure, and this unit also has huge windows, the interior here is rather dominated by darker colours, the walls are covered with vinyls and the atmosphere is more laid-back and bold. As you walk in, you’ll spot an impressive assortment of drinks lining the shelves behind the bar, the neon signs hanging above, and a wall decorated with polaroid photos, and you’ll instantly feel like as if this was one of your mates’ place.
Chris beer, Chris burger
As you may have already guessed from the name, Chris Bar & Burger serves hearty burgers, and the options include chicken, pulled pork, goat cheese, Angus beef and bacon lover burgers, as well as juicy bison, craft burgers and monthly specials. You can order your burger with steak or sweet potatoes or salad or onion rings on the side, and a cool little detail is that your order will arrive with a ’Chris Bar’ logo burned into it thanks to their own custom branding iron.
If you believe that a burger is always best served with a beer, you can try Chris Bar & Burger's signature selection that includes wheat, cherry and craft beers, IPAs and hop lager.
If you believe that a burger is always best served with a beer, you can try Chris Bar & Burger's signature selection that includes wheat, cherry and craft beers, IPAs and hop lager.
Of course, the abovementioned signature coffee from Ethiopia is also available here, and if you crave something sweet after your burger, you can order a brownie or some American pancakes for dessert.
Chris Bar & Burger also boasts various events like parties, karaoke and DJ nights. And as for the future, Lara and Chris are planning to open up a bakery where they'd make artisan pastries and would also host workshops.
Whether you'd like a leisurely breakfast at a sweet breakfast spot, or a hearty burger at a laid-back bar, you'll find something to your liking at Lara and Chris' eateries - and if you'd like a breakfast and then a burger, you sure will not have to walk very far.
For more details or upcoming events, follow Lara Café's and Chris Bar & Burger's Facebook pages.
