Some people knew cider before the huge Strongbow ads appeared all around the city. Some of them are still surprised if they see the word cider on the wine-list. We suggest reading this article for both of these types of people, because cider, this refreshing drink which is somewhere in between ale and wine is a great summer beverage, especially if it’s served with a few ice cubes. So here’s the first round and here are the top 5 places where you can have a few pints of excellent cider.

1/4

Hivatal – The savoury

Hivatal was one of the very first places in Budapest that offered ciders. We had the chance to try these even before we found out whether cider was a wine, an ale, a kind of apple juice or some sort of apple schnapps with sparkling water. The magic named Henry Weston Old Aged Herefordshire comes in a bottle. The mildly sweet drink, that we found a bit too smoky, contains 4,5% alcohol and a 0,5 bottle costs 800 forints. We like Hivatal inside-out but it’s probably a better idea to have a round of cider outside.

Address: 1075 Budapest, Madách út 12.
Opening hours: 09:00-24:00 on weekdays, 08:00-24:00 on Saturdays

2/4

The Caledonia

1066 Budapest, Mozsár utca 9.

The traditional has a wide range of alcoholic drinks – their whiskey and their draught beer offer is rather impressive not to mention their ciders. We can get a bottle of Westons Premium for 550 forints but the average prices of bottled ciders are about a thousand forints in general. For some strange reason foreigners opt for the draught ciders which happens to be Stowford Press, a typical English cider.

3/4

Szimpla kert – The original since 1770

1075 Budapest, Kazinczy utca 14.
Több infó

Those who are familiar with cider must have come across Gaymers, which is the most well-known cider brand in the entire world. In apple cider is draught, a glass of 0,3 litre costs 450 forints. Bottled pear cider is also available. If you have never tried cider before or if you are longing for a refreshing alcoholic drink give Gaymers a try!

4/4

Abszolút pálinka – Swedish, Belgian, lime and elderberry

Pálinka is a traditional Hungarian drink, we all know that. Cider on the other hand is much more international. There are different types of Swedish, Belgian and of course English ciders and you can all try them at Abszolút Pálinka.
The most unusual one is probably the elderberry and lime cider, but there’s another one with red berries as well. The most natural one is the Old Rosie, which is an unfiltered cider. There’s also cider on draught, Westons Stawford Press, costing 450 forints for 0,3 litres. If this is still not enough you can find out all about the world of ciders in Abszolút.

Address: 1075 Budapest, Kazinczy utca 52.