Újpest feels like a small town within the big city - and that’s no coincidence. It only became part of Budapest in 1950, having functioned as an independent town before that. Its central hub, Szent István Square, has changed a lot over the past few years, but its iconic buildings - the town hall, the local church and the - have defined the area’s character for decades. The square is full of life, hosting family events and concerts throughout the year, and it’s also home to two places worth stopping by in any season: Központ Bisztró and Calavera.
Just a one-minute walk apart, the two restaurants recently introduced their updated interiors and menu additions at a press event hosted by Kőrössy Zoltán and Nagy Gábor, the founding owners of the Eventrend Group, which took over the operation of both venues in November. While the group runs several well-known, tourist-friendly venues across the city, they emphasised how important it is for them to also operate places rooted in local communities, built around regular guests and neighbourhood life.
Local communities and familiar faces continue to play a key role in the life of both restaurants. These are places where locals can meet, sit down for a coffee, spend time with family and feel at home. The interiors have only been subtly fine-tuned, the menus refreshed rather than reinvented, and the teams remain the same friendly faces guests already know
– explained Kőrössy Zoltán.
Központ Bisztró: from brunch to Italian-inspired comfort
Located on the corner of Szent István Square, Központ Bisztró has been a go-to meeting place for more than a decade. No matter what time of day you drop in, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for - from all-day breakfasts and relaxed lunches to cosy dinners, special coffees and Italian-style desserts. It brings together the best of a bistro and a café, welcoming guests of all ages.
The Italian-inspired atmosphere fits surprisingly well into the heart of Újpest. Outside, a red Vespa sets the tone, while inside, lamps shaped like Italian city skylines, warm lighting, wall quotes, comfortable booths and smaller café-style tables invite you to stay. Old objects on the shelves add a sense of timelessness, while the space remains modern and welcoming. Life flows inside: the coffee machine hums, and through the large windows you can watch the square’s daily rhythm. It’s the kind of place that makes you linger — whether you’re here for a date, a business meeting or a family breakfast.
The food and drink menu is wide-ranging and versatile, balancing Italian inspiration with local favourites. Brunch highlights include Tuscan-style French toast and the Carbonara Benedict, both available in several variations. Classic pasta dishes like Carbonara Royal or Penne Arrabbiata sit alongside antipasti, Italian-style burgers and iconic desserts such as tiramisu or limoncello panna cotta.
I f you’re in the mood for a classic pasta dish, options like the Carbonara Royal or Penne Arrabbiata are also on the menu. Antipasti, Italian-style burgers and iconic desserts such as tiramisu or limoncello panna cotta haven’t been left out either. One of our favourites was the arancini — crispy fried rice balls served in a rich, thick tomato sauce — while those craving something warming will find the hearty Tuscan tomato soup, topped with fresh cherry tomatoes, sprouts and sesame grissini, an excellent choice.
Long-time favourites are still on the menu, including the hearty Hungarian-style “everything-in” scrambled eggs and the ever-present brassói pork dish. On a grey winter day, the grilled goat’s cheese felt especially comforting, served with a refreshing and beautifully coloured beetroot risotto.
The Rákóczi-style cottage cheese pancake brings back the flavours of grandma’s kitchen, yet looks modern and eye-catching — much like the poppy seed bread pudding, which also delivers familiar, home-style tastes with a more playful presentation.
Alongside brunch and trattoria-style dishes, the café-bar side is also an important part of the concept. Coffees, breakfast sets, paninis, light snacks and aperitivo bites are available all day, making the menu equally appealing for morning guests, quick lunches and relaxed evening dinners. It’s no coincidence that several lavender-flavoured drinks have also found their way onto the menu, from syrups to flavoured coffees.
Calavera: a layered Mexican dining experience
Just a one-minute walk away, Calavera is a completely different world — an authentic, experience-led Mexican restaurant with a striking and characterful visual style. Mexican motifs, bold colours and powerful murals define the space, instantly transporting guests into another culture.
Thanks to its zoned layout, the space works just as well for smaller gatherings as it does for larger groups, with clearly defined areas whether you’d prefer to tuck yourself into a cosy corner or stay close to the striking bar. Unique Mexican-style decorative elements — including sombreros that even appear as lampshades — add to the restaurant’s authentic feel, while the playful quotes on the walls blend the spirit of a Mexican fiesta with everyday life in Újpest, referencing everything from the local football team and town hall to the Danube and the Metrodom towers.
This distinctive atmosphere is perfectly matched by the visually striking dishes, a drinks list centred around tequila and mezcal, and a series of themed evenings. Among the starters, our favourites were the jalapeño poppers — cream cheese–filled, fried jalapeños served with a dip, pleasantly spicy rather than overpowering — and the grilled corn, which never gets boring. Nachos are, of course, available in several variations with different dips, ideal for snacking alongside your drink. The drinks menu also includes cocktails, handcrafted syrups served hot or cold, chilli hot chocolate and spiced teas.
Mango and avocado appear throughout the menu, with mango featuring in the drinks as well. The chilled mango cream soup is refreshing even in winter, finished with chocolate skulls as a playful garnish. If you’re more in the mood for something warm, the rich cheddar cheese soup with a few drops of chilli oil and crispy bacon chips is an excellent choice. The prawn and mango salad is crisp and exotic, a real vitamin boost with a beautifully vibrant colour palette.
When it comes to Mexican and tex-mex flavours, the menu wouldn’t be complete without chicken fajitas or a beef burrito, both also available in vegetarian versions, as well as chilli con carne. If you’d like to try a bit of everything, the sharing platter for two is a great choice, bringing together a selection of the restaurant’s and Mexican cuisine’s favourites.
From the burger selection, we tried the pulled pork version with red onion jam, though beef and vegetarian options are also available, each with a subtle Mexican twist.
If you’re tempted by exotic desserts, don’t miss the passion fruit mousse or the Mexican chilli brownie.
As part of its renewal, Calavera is also launching a new long-term social initiative. From March 2026, the Calavera Campus will run every two weeks for secondary school students, offering a free educational programme titled What have Mexican and Spanish cultures given to the world? Surprising facts. The aim is to create cultural and community value beyond gastronomy, using a modern, experience-led approach. The series is hosted by Lukács Zsolt, a radio presenter with a background in teaching Hungarian and history, who strongly believes in experiential learning. The timing couldn’t be more fitting either, as 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Hungarian–Mexican relations. School registration is already open.
Not all of the dishes featured in this article are available in December. The full menu change takes effect from 1 January 2026, though plenty of treats will still be on offer before and between the holidays.
Calavera and Központ Bisztró are both part of the Eventrend Group. The Hungarian group brings more than three decades of experience in operating cafés, restaurants and hotels, as well as organising events. It currently runs 38 projects and employs around 1,200 people. Eventrend is behind roughly 23 gastronomic ventures, including well-known names such as Gundel Restaurant, New York Café, Centrál Café, Spoon The Boat, Főőrség Café, Városliget Café, Séf Asztala and Symbol, and also provides catering services for venues like the Groupama Arena and Müpa. In addition, the group manages the sales of 79 unique event spaces across 24 locations in Budapest.
(Cover photo: Szabó Gábor – We Love Budapest)
CONTACT DETAILS
Központ Bisztró and Calavera restaurant
- 1042 Budapest, Szent István tér 1. és 3.
- Website (Központ Bisztró) and Website (Calavera)
- Facebook (Központ Bisztró) and Facebook (Calavera)
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