Centrál Café, one of the most historic literary cafés, celebrated the third anniversary of its reopening on 11 April, on the Day of Hungarian Poetry. They hosted an anniversary press lunch we couldn't say no to – and we got a taste of their latest culinary creations.
Centrál stays true to its roots as a hub where cultural, intellectual, and social life come together. But while they honour tradition, they're not stuck in the past – think old-school charm with modern-day comfort , plus a side of seriously good food.
Royal brunch
Centrál already boasted a rather extensive brunch selection, thanks to the talents of chef Ádám Ványik and his team. Their Benedict Heaven offers their signature Centrál Benedict, Royal Benedict, Shakshuka Benedict, Mushroom Benedict, and even Steak Benedict. Other favourites include avocado cream toast, stuffed French toast, and Potato Monsieur. The new menu features various meat and vegetarian options. The Stroganoff tenderloin is served with mushroom and bacon chips, whilst the vegetarian version comes with 4 types of mushrooms. Both are accompanied by crispy, buttery gnocchi. We absolutely loved how the golden-fried gnocchi paired with the juicy, creamy stew.
The savoury Hortobágyi pancake is available with 3 different fillings. The soft pancake, doused in paprika sauce, can be filled with chicken, fish, or mushroom ragout, according to your preference.
The juicy, stuffed chicken breast 'Kiev style' is a light dish, while the Burgundy beef ragout is a more substantial meal with a thick, flavourful sauce. Each comes with mashed potatoes and is a dish we'd happily opt for on any occasion.
The Centrál & Cheese is baked in the oven. It's truly filling, as the gnocchi arrives in a small iron pan with cheddar cheese and crispy bacon, creating an extremely creamy, tasty, and satisfying dish.
Delicious cocktails with spring flavours and colours
Gergő Szemők, the bar manager, oversees Centrál's drinks offering. In addition to non-alcoholic beverages and lemonades, the menu now features a variety of spritzes, ranging from watermelon to strawberry, perfect for enjoying on the delightful terrace or at the bar. Of course, you can also choose from classics and signature cocktails, from Negroni to Mimosa and Central Espresso Martini, which perfectly combines cocktail and coffee with Takamaka Spiced rum, Unicum Barista, Giffard vanilla and banana, and espresso.
New flavoured cappuccinos and exquisite desserts
Judit Takács has been working as a pastry chef for 16 years and as a master pastry chef since 2016. At Centrál Café, she has been providing the finest pastry specialities since its reopening, and now, with her pastry team, she has once again created magical desserts where delightful flavours meet tasteful presentation. Both cup desserts and classics can be found in the selection.
The lavender mille-feuille is a taste of summer, alluring with its vibrant purple hue as much as its flavour. Beneath the crisp purple topping lies a delicate cream with a distinct yet beautifully balanced lavender note. Anyone who appreciates both the aroma and the taste of lavender will find it utterly delightful. The Centrál vanilla cream puff pastry makes an appearance on the menu with a zesty lemon twist. It's not only visually appealing but also a genuinely refreshing take on the classic choux.
Many sweets also appear on the menu as cup desserts. For example, the brownie arrives in a small jar with fruits, caramel, vanilla ice cream, and is served with strawberry sauce. The pistachio tiramisu is served with the coffee poured over it at the moment, creating a delightful visual as the chocolate softens and blends into the dessert.
Another favourite was the zesty apricot and passion fruit tiramisu, which evokes the feeling of a holiday in central Budapest when savoured on the terrace, though the classic version remains equally satisfying.
And should one find it difficult to choose between the classic, passion fruit, or pistachio tiramisu, a solution awaits. One can also request all three flavours presented as miniature cup desserts. Naturally, Hungary's iconic pastries remain available, including Dobos cake (a layered sponge cake with a rich chocolate buttercream filling and a distinctive crisp caramel topping), Esterházy cake (an elegant torte with delicate almond meringue layers and a smooth vanilla buttercream), and Rákóczi túrós (a sweet pastry featuring a shortcrust base filled with a light and airy sweetened cottage cheese mixture).
Centrál now also boasts a dedicated cappuccino menu, ensuring a favourite for every palate. Offerings include the crème brûlée cappuccino, where the signature crisp sugar topping is caramelised at your table, the intensely flavoured pistachio cappuccino, and Léna's Kiss, delicately finished with a rose spray.
Book a table here.
Centrál Grand Café & Bar
(Cover photo: Major Kata - We Love Budapest)
