If you're on the lookout for an authentic, local-favourite spot near Batthyány tér, head to Rajkai Espresso! A stylish brunch venue by day and a lively bar by night, this place boasts a long history dating back to the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. With many names over the years, its walls tell tales of the restaurant, a family, and bygone eras, through old recipes, vintage menus, and the iconic neon sign of a once-famous bar and cultural hotspot, frequented by Hungarian composer and singer Tamás Cseh.
Now, a new generation has stepped in: siblings Emilia and János Unk have taken over the business from their father and given it a facelift. They also live upstairs, just like their great-grandfather, Mihály Rajkai, used to. See the resemblance? The name, Rajkai Espresso, is a tribute to the family legacy.
And all this lends a unique charm to the place. Look for the details of a bygone era like furniture, wall art, and even the male and female restroom signs, where ancestors gaze back at visitors. Far from feeling heavy, these elements make the space feel homier and irresistibly inviting. Rajkai is the kind of place where you'd want to linger from morning till evening. Walk in, and you'll get enveloped in the warm atmosphere; the place exudes character and soul.
It's not just the ambience, but also the food and drinks that draw you in and make you stay.
Indulgent breakfasts, signature-blend coffee
Enjoy a hedonistic breakfast from 8 am on weekdays and 9 am on weekends, with brunch service running until 3 pm. In the evenings, the focus shifts more towards the bar scene. From Thursday to Saturday, they're open until midnight, filling a gap in the area. The menu features classic breakfast dishes, homemade pastries, excellent coffee, and an impressive selection of Negronis and G&Ts.
The owners have a passion for coffee so they make no compromises – they've even created their signature Rajkai Blend. This medium-light roast, with flavour notes from Brazilian and Honduran origins, strikes a balance between classic and playful. It avoids extremes: neither overly bitter nor too fruity, landing somewhere perfectly in between. They understand the importance of both quality and preparation so trust us when we say, you need to try the coffee here. You can even take a bag of coffee beans home as a souvenir.
Matcha drinks are also popular. And we got to see why after trying a tricolour (red-white-green) matcha with strawberry purée and milk foam. It's a heartwarming option that pairs perfectly with breakfast or a slice of cake. You can also go for a chai or pumpkin spice latte, both working well on a gloomy day. Naturally, hot chocolate and mulled wine are also on offer, and the Irish coffee is considered one of the best in the city.
The breakfast menu features all the classic brunch favourites, prepared with top-quality ingredients and creative flavour combinations. Their signature dish, the Rajkai Benedict, is an absolute must-try. We went ahead and tasted it, and can confirm it's banging: a toasted English muffin topped with truffle porcini cream, the essential poached egg, premium Serrano ham, and silky hollandaise sauce. It's crowned with a touch of chilli threads, fermented cauliflower, and a parsley-basil oil crafted by Emilia herself.
Let's talk avocado toast! The staple of all brunch menus arrives topped on a slice of crispy, sourdough bread. The guacamole, cream cheese, sprouts, and sun-dried tomatoes are neatly spread out – accompanied by a fresh salad. For an extra twist, you can add bacon, salmon, or scrambled eggs. Another standout is the BEC (bacon, eggs, cheese) combo, which is stuffed into a bagel and lightly toasted.
If your go-to breakfast is a packed sandwich, there are several tempting options here. One such signature dish is the Rajkai Reuben, where 120 grams of paper-thin pastrami beef brisket, edam cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing are sandwiched between two crispy slices of sourdough bread – an incredibly filling and delicious creation. Hummus and smoked salmon versions made with bagels are also on offer, and the club sandwich, with its many luxurious layers, completely won us over.
Granola is made in-house with cinnamon and honey, and plenty of seeds. It's then served as a bowl with homemade strawberry puree, banana, chia seeds, blueberries, and Greek yoghurt.
Just keep one thing in mind: whatever you choose, you need to save space for dessert! There's an array of incredibly delicious homemade treats, drawing inspiration from both old family recipes and own creations. We tried a flawless homemade brownie, with a slightly gooey centre just as it should be. The top is covered with a chocolate ganache, and the freeze-dried raspberries make a perfect addition – strongly recommended for brownie lovers. If you prefer lemon-based treats, don't miss the lemon drizzle cake, with its fresh, soft, and incredibly moist sponge topped with a layer of lemon ganache.
Carrot cake is also a big hit! It's rich, tasty, and generously filled with oily seeds. It's also gluten-free and sugar-free – just like the banana bread. If you're in the mood for a lighter dessert, they also offer passion fruit tapioca pudding sweetened with maple syrup or a strawberry shortcake with mascarpone cream and homemade strawberry compote.
Vibrant bar life
During the afternoon and evening, it's worth seeking out the cheese, olive, and cured meat assortments, which are also served at the best quality. Not to mention, they are perfect for complementing wines, cocktails, and other bubbly drinks.
Craft beer is on offer as well, with six brews of Fehér Nyúl microbrewery on tap, including both staple offerings and seasonal variations. The house beer is a pale ale that you can also take home in cans. A 5-item beer tasting is also available for those interested in experimenting with different brews.
The wine selection mainly consists of Hungarian wines from junior winemakers and is in line with the seasons. You can also explore natural wines; for example, they offer three wines from the Austrian biodynamic winery Meinklang, including their pét-nat called 'Vulkán' made with grapes sourced directly from Somló, giving it a Hungarian connection. Sparkling wines are also prominent on the menu, including Prosecco, champagne, cava, and other sparkling wines.
If you're more of a cocktail person, the good news is that the drink list includes brilliant concoctions. One of the highlights is the Negroni selection. Whether you go for the classic, the signature smoked (which is actually smoked with apple chips in small wooden 'glass caps'), the coffee-infused version, or the Negroni Sbagliato, made with Prosecco instead of gin, you'll be pleased.
Since the night is young, order a Pornstar Martini, Espresso Martini, Jungle Bird cocktail, or one of the 13 different gin-tonics available from around the world, each crafted from a unique recipe.
And a bonus for the holidays: you can stock up on their goods neatly packed in a tote bag! The special gift set features a bag of coffee, canned beer, and a Fili Prosecco – and that's your souvenir sorted.
And a last note: if you're around for New Year's Eve, it's also worth stopping by. A New Year's Eve Warm-Up Party will knock off the celebration on December 31st, starting at 11 am. You can enjoy a variety of delicious treats, while DJs spin the disk. Details here.
CONTACT DETAILS
Rajkai Espresso
(Cover photo: Vadnai Szabolcs)
