It is a pleasure to see that life has not stopped in Budapest, nor have entrepreneurs given up on their dreams despite the challenges. Here are five new places to show that there’s nothing the city loves more than to sit down with a coffee in elegant surroundings.
1/5
4minutes Café
This small and sophisticated café fits right into the artistic milieu of Buda Castle. It was shipshape and ready to sail last March but the opening had to wait a bit because of the virus. Life is not a rush at the 4minutes Café, in fact: they operate Wednesdays through Sundays, starting at 11am, offering Hungarian specialty coffee by Goosebumps, delicious pastries by Norma, as well as vegan and allergen-free desserts, Zhao Zhou teas and Superjuices. Everything is served in tasteful ceramics created with their own logo, which appears on some of the décor, as well.
2/5
Arch & Beans
This sophisticated café by Astoria is a refreshing stop-off during a busy day. The high ceilings and large mirror heighten the elegance – the building is listed as historic – and the original mosaic floor is 150 years old. Add in the limestone columns and you might think you’re stepping back in time into a high-society soirée. The owner himself roasts the coffee here, ensuring the highest quality beans, accompanied by courteous service and delicious snacks. You might recognise the coffee from Kávé Művek on Mária tér, as the owner is the same.
3/5
The Rusty Coffee Buda
Located in District II, the Rusty Coffee got its start along the shores of Lake Balaton, where it enjoyed a successful career. Now, it’s opened a Budapest location at the intersection of Pasaréti út and Gábor Áron út. The interior is clean, white, spacious and calming, and the outdoor area has a large garden under ample tree cover. Enjoy specialty coffee, breakfast dishes with eggs, avocado and salmon, and caper tuna and hummus toast, as well.
4/5
SEED Budapest
Their pastel-coloured Piaggio has been roaming the city dispensing delicious coffee for a while now, but since the end of June, you can find Bagira at a new fixed location in Újbuda. Though outside of the city centre, this café is as sophisticated as the new-wave venues we might come across in trendier parts of town, but without all the noise and the crowds. Customers can sample Bagira’s light-roast brews, as well as fine bagel sandwiches, best partaken in retro chairs or on cosy couches. You can also sip a flat white on the sunny terrace.
5/5
Wömbät
Bartók Béla út is undoubtedly one of the most pleasant avenues in Buda, where locals lounge under leafy trees in the ample outdoor seating. The Wömbät is a relative newbie on the boulevard, but already it’s made quite a name for itself. Delicious bagels, croissants and pastries accompany the specialty coffee, which is available in dark and light roasts. Patterned sofas afford a comfortable atmosphere to curl up on colder days, while outdoor seating is available in summer.
