9 cool spots to enjoy Indian summer in Budapest

After a summer as hot as the one we just endured in Budapest, September is about to bring a cool breeze – but not too cool. Just like us, the city slowly wakes up after the sweltering heat of the past few months and is ready to fill our lives again with plenty of great programs, cosy venues, and cool vibes. Let’s see what September has in store in Budapest!

Spoon The Boat

The riverbank boasts the best views of Budapest's prettiest face, which is best to enjoy during early autumn days. The city’s floating restaurant Spoon The Boat knows this very well, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the Chain Bridge, the Buda Castle, the Várkert Bazár (Castle Garden Bazaar), and the nearby Buda hills. Embark on the boat restaurant anchored at Vigadó tér and enjoy a light lunch or dinner in the spirit of international fine bistro gastronomy! Their menu combines traditional Hungarian cuisine and contemporary culinary trends, using only impeccable seasonal ingredients. For something traditionally Hungarian, go for Goulash soup with homemade noodles, or if you’re in a more experimental mood, choose the creamy foie gras served with pistachio sponge and cranberry coulis, the tofu teriyaki, or the spinach pappardelle with grilled salmon. Alternatively, pop in for an evening drink and sip a few glasses of special gin and tonics or wine while marvelling at the city dressed in sparkly night lights. With its two spacious panoramic terraces open for the warmer months, this ever-changing, laid-back yet still extravagant stationary boat is clearly here to impress.

Find more info here.

Port de Budapest

Still staying by the Danube, you simply can’t miss the panoramic waterfront bar of Port de Budapest, also a big summer favourite of locals and tourists alike. The restaurant’s terrace, which stretches between the Elizabeth Bridge and the Liberty Bridge, reveals a whole new face in autumn. Now that the heatwaves are over, it's especially nice to sit in the September sunshine within an arm's reach of the river during the day or even in the morning. Port de Budapest makes sure that you can do all that while munching on a tasty brunch. Besides the usual classics, like eggs Benedict, Croque Madame, or avocado toast, the brunch menu also includes a fine selection of waffles. Those who like savoury waffles should not miss the Hangover (crispy fried chicken breast strips with jalapeno, maple syrup, and coleslaw served with waffles). Those with a sweet tooth will love the banana Nutella version served with marshmallow and vanilla ice cream. If you’re after a lighter breakfast, get a vegan 'lecsó' (Hungarian-style ratatouille), a salmon poke bowl, or Greek yoghurt with granola and fruits. To quench your thirst, we recommend fruity smoothies and mocktails, or Mimosa for a bohemian touch.

Find more info  here.

ÉS Bisztró

Now that fresh autumn weather revives downtown Budapest, we love eating good food on a cosy terrace while watching the bustling city. The shaded terrace of ÉS Bisztró, a casually elegant restaurant in one of Budapest's most beautiful hotels, provides an excellent spot for that, offering a glimpse of the city's favourite pedestrian Fashion Street. The Viennese-Hungarian restaurant spoils you with delicious grilled fish and meat dishes ranging from the big classics, like Wiener schnitzel or Tafelspitz, to Balaton pike perch, grilled jumbo king prawns, or one of the best hamburgers in the city. Our favourite is ÉS Bisztró's truly unique steak selection with first-class delicacies, like Wagyu flank steak, rib eye aged with hay and green spices, and pork ribs marinated for 48 hours. The restaurant’s menu is updated twice a year with special offers every third week. Plus, they revived the Sunday Family Table offer for the autumn months. High quality in style and service, the Sunday lunch bids farewell to usual buffet tables and encourages families to sit together during the meal. In the meantime, the ÉS team serves up an unlimited amount of food from the menu, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Find more info here.

Zenekert

If you'd rather break away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre and enjoy the autumn sun in a nice park, then Zenekert ('Music Garden'), hidden in the heart of the City Park, is a great choice. The venue’s shaded courtyard, overlooking the lake and the Museum of Ethnography, is perfect for gathering with friends or relaxing with family. You can sip on iced coffee and delicious cocktails, or order from their excellent beer and wine selection. Plus, if you get hungry, you can munch on one of the best smash burgers in the city. The juicy, double patty made from fresh beef is served with lettuce, two slices of cheddar cheese, fried onions, and pickled cucumbers in a brioche bun, crowned with mayonnaise-based homemade sauce. Since Zenekert is open from 1 pm, you can even order their first-class burger for lunch. The nature-filled scenery of the terrace changes colours every season: in autumn, it’s a real treat to admire the colourful leaves all around. And if you're up for something other than marvelling at the beauty of autumn leaves, Zenekert offers a great selection of board games. In addition to big classics, like Jenga, Uno, and Dominoes, you can also play a dog-friendly card game – a subtle hint to the dog-friendly nature of the venue.

Find more info here.

Cziniel Confectionery

The bustle of downtown Budapest is not for everyone. For those who’d rather stay away from it but would still like to be close to the Danube, Cziniel Confectionery  is an excellent place for a sweet bite or two. A few steps away from Budapest’s favourite riverside walkway, Római-part, Cziniel offers a huge selection of delicious pastries and cakes. You can taste traditional Hungarian flavours but also the masterpieces of modern confectionery, including gluten, lactose, and sugar-free variations – this time served in the form of 9 types of divine ice cream creations. Cziniel has turned the local favourite krémes (the Hungarian take on French Napoleon pastry) and Somlói sponge cake (Hungarian dessert dumplings) into icy snacks, but you can also ask for a classic banana split or tropical fruit ice cream. Our favourite is the refreshingly sour, divine Almond Raspberry cup, which happens to be sugar, gluten, and lactose-free, so anyone can enjoy it. Cziniel also thought of children, who will not only love the sweet ice cream creations designed to their taste but also the spacious kids’ corner. The venue is also dog-friendly, so our four-legged friends can tag along for an early autumn ice cream, lemonade, coffee, or brunch. Cziniel’s specialty coffee and lush lemonades are really the perfect sides to the hearty breakfast they generously serve for late risers until 2:30 pm.

Find more info here.

Starbucks

Autumn brings a new colour, or more precisely, taste, to the world of coffee. For many, the autumn mood is unimaginable without the iconic pumpkin spice-flavoured drinks that have become the staple of the season in the past few years. Starbucks is the master of making heavenly PSL drinks, which can be ordered in iced and hot versions, offering perfect choices for those who would like to bid farewell to summer with their last iced coffee and those who’d already like to get into the cosy autumn mode with their favourite seasonal sip. And what’s even better is that this fall, Starbucks expanded its customisation options. From September, Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam is also available for seasonal iced drinks, so you can try (espresso and brown sugar syrup shaken with ice, oat drink, smooth foamed Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam and a touch of Pumpkin Spice). For chai tea lovers, we recommend the Pumpkin Cream Iced Chai Tea Latte (black tea infused with cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper and star anise, milk, Pumpkin Spice cream foam). Those who would like to spice up their classic cold brew for the season should ask for the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew (super smooth cold-brew coffee with a hint of vanilla and Pumpkin Spice cream foam).

Find more info here.

Budapest Wine Festival

For wine lovers, September means grape harvest and wine festivals. If you crave a chic early autumn weekend event, don't miss the 33rd Budapest Wine Festival between September 12-15th. You can be sure the weekend will be filled with excellent wines and gourmet food, as well as exciting wine-related cultural and gastronomic programs. And you know what can make a wine tasting even better? Doing it while strolling along the magnificent walls of the Buda Castle and enjoying a grand view of the Danube from the hilltop. Organically grown grape enthusiasts will love Quiar Birtok's stand, and those who want to take an imaginary trip to the northern shore of Lake Balaton should head to the award-winning wines of PALO Borbirtok. Fivérek Borbirtok brings their favourite red wines from the Szekszárd wine region as well as their best sparkling wines. You can even participate in wine trivia and put your senses to the test at VinAgora. Alternatively, you can sign up for a POP-UP wine tasting where 18 renowned winemakers will guide you through refined flavours and aromas. As usual, sunset brings the festival’s one and only party to the Mitiszol? Party VIP tent, after which you can crown the weekend with a luxurious and long-lasting Sunday Brunch between 11 am and 2 pm.

Find more info here.

Etyeki Kúria Winery

Speaking of wine, we simply cannot leave out the Etyeki Kúria Winery from our early autumn program list. Reminiscent of traditional wine presses, yet impressively modern, this winery is located in a famous wine region Etyek, only an hour from Budapest. Listed among Hungary’s TOP5 bike-friendly venues, the winery can be easily reached by bicycle on the BuBa route (Hungary’s main cycling route that spins over 100km across Budapest and Lake Balaton). In early autumn, it's a dazzling oasis offering airy spaces for relaxation with vibrant colours, sharp shadows, and lights breaking through the clouds. Wine-champagne-gastronomy lovers ready for a one-day recharge, or anyone craving the gentle embrace of nature will surely find what they are looking for here. Enjoy delicious dishes alongside the excellent wines, and return more than once, as the menu changes seasonally and is available every Friday-Saturday-Sunday. For September, we recommend the pork tenderloin made with Chardonnay and served with spicy lentil puree, glazed beets with thyme, and bacon crumbles. Our favourite wines this season are the Etyek Kúria Chardonnay 2022 from their Etyek winery and the Kúria Sopron Kékfrankos 2019 from their Sopron winery. 

Find more info here.

PesText International Literary and Cultural Festival

In September, cultural programs also return to Budapest, including the PesText International Literary and Cultural Festival, where you can meet the most exciting figures of international literary life. PesText is a Budapest-based international literary and cultural festival that places world literature in the spotlight year after year. This autumn, the festival takes place between September 26-28th at three venues around the city: Három Holló Café, Marczibányi Téri Cultural Center, and Deák17 Gallery. During the three days of the festival, enjoy literary readings and discussions, participate in workshops, listen to a concert, view an exhibition, and get your latest favourite hardcover signed by the author. It’s worth browsing through the full program calendar to find the ones that suit you the best. Just don’t forget: although the festival is free, some of the programs require registration. This time, PesText also brings two special accompanying programs. Between September 13th and October 26th, you can view the 'At the same time, in the same place' Central and Eastern European children's book illustration exhibition in the Deák17 Gallery. On September 20th, Romanian writer Doina Ruști presents her latest volume at the Budapest Art Bridge BAB Gallery.

Find more info here.

(Cover photo: Zsolt Szigetváry – Budapest Wine Festival)