It looks like it's going to be another sweltering summer, so what better way to cool off and enjoy Budapest coming out of shutdown mode than a drink or a meal on a pleasant terrace. Here, overlooking the Danube, City Park or a downtown street, are 25 of our favourites.
1/25
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Budapest’s
most beautiful getaway sits on top of the Párisi department store on
showcase Andrássy út. A rooftop oasis with signature cocktails, it
has a Mediterranean menu and intimate live music. Somehow, it manages
to be a tourist mecca without alienating the many local regulars. A
prime view helps.
2/25
Akv
Burgers,
poké bowls and bar food are served at the number one concert venue
in Pest, right in the heart of town on Erzsébet tér. A favourite
meeting place for many, and party central. Its water feature tricks you into thinking that you’re at some holiday resort when, in fact, you’re in
the middle of a major European metropolis.
3/25
BÉLA
The
popular ‘bar, restaurant, apartment and arboretum’ on trendy
Bartók Béla út has reopened with mezze, sandwiches, a discerning
wine selection, and artisanal teas and beers. An informal, friendly
meeting place that attracts many from outside the neighbourhood.
4/25
Csendes Társ
Károlyi-kert
is one of the most cosy, hidden oases in the city centre, a pocket
park where it’s nice to cool off and hide from the hustle and
bustle of nearby Astoria. Rich selection of Hungarian wines, soft
drinks, coffees and Italian panzanella salad.
5/25
Fecske
Opposite
the Szabó Ervin Library deep in student central, the ‘Swallow’
is a pleasant, youthful terrace pub-café with an affordable weekly
menu served at lunchtimes until 4pm.
6/25
Fellini
Aficionados
of Római-part, the bucolic Danube riverbank up in Óbuda, awash with
rowing clubs and alfresco bars, have long made this bohemian hangout
their go-to spot on summer evenings. Mediterranean, Greek and Serbian
grill dishes are on offer, along with live music and the occasional
film.
7/25
Fiaker
The
Fiaker restaurant, with its hot kitchen, opened in Pest as the big
brother of KisBécs (‘Little Vienna’) in hilly Buda, first
entered the public consciousness primarily for its super Austrian
wines and themed evenings. The demanding audience of bar-lined Madách
tér immediately picked up on the monarchical theme, and in 2020,
Fiaker was also granted the Award of Excellence by the prestigious
Wine
Spectator magazine.
8/25
Jardinette
The
Jardinette garden restaurant in Farkasrét has long been attracting
families and groups of friends to these leafy climes. In the shade of
the spacious chestnut trees, don’t miss the speciality onion roast
and famous floating island dessert.
9/25
Kabin
A
big favourite on once neglected, now hip haunt, of Népsziget, awaits under
the railway bridge, where the old industrial atmosphere of the
shipyard meets mother nature, the Danube and a creative contemporary
environment. Order a spritzer or a funky lemonade, and mingle with
friends as the sun sets.
10/25
Kelet
Another
busy terrace on Bartók Béla út, Kelet (‘East’) is famous not
only for its book exchange, but also for its breakfasts, grilled-meat
sandwiches, Oriental main dishes, coffees and draught beers. Culture
and recreation merge into one.
11/25
KIOSK
With
the establishment of KIOSK almost ten years ago, a culinary hub
developed on the previously empty and neglected site of Március 15.
tér. Daily menus, à la carte, cocktails, wines, live music and DJs
all come with views of the Danube, Elizabeth Bridge and Citadella
atop Gellért Hill opposite. In addition to cooling drinks desserts,
you’ll find real Neapolitan pizza in the summer-only KIOSK Garden.
12/25
Kobuci Kert
On
one side of Zichy Castle in Óbuda, the well-established Kobuci Kert
schedules world music evenings, jazz and blues, as well as folk and
underground performances – which can all be accompanied by
spritzers with premium baps and barbecue dishes. Culture, recreation
and community merge into one.
13/25
Kőleves Kert
Offering
good-quality Hungarian and international cuisine, the Kőleves Kert
is open for business again in the heart of Budapest’s nightlife
quarter. The best weekly menus in the area, excellent spritzers and a
lively Pest atmosphere typify any visit.
14/25
MAG Kert BBQ
Up
in
Kelenvölgy, beside
Egér út, you’ll find one of the best
BBQ terraces in the area, MAG Kert.
A nice crowd gathers here over ice-cold beer, burgers, pulled pork,
grilled
delights, chili
and boundless chill in District XI.
15/25
Nap bácsi
In
summer, the Római-part embankment is simply unbeatable. It’s
isn’t
just the Danube or the idyllic environment, it’s
because of places like Nap bácsi. Beanbags, deckchairs, decent
food comprises this fantastic communal space.
16/25
Normafa Grill Terrace
The
surroundings of the capital’s favourite getaway
have undergone a spectacular transformation, as part of which the
Normafa Grill Terrace has reopened with Uruguayan rib-eye steak
burgers served up amid birdsong.
A food truck, barbecue dishes, soups, desserts and a takeaway picnic
package are also available, tranquillity guaranteed.
17/25
Nyereg, az Itató
Nyereg
is a cosy cultural bistro, a family- and dog-friendly garden space
amid
foliage, under the
open sky
in the heart of City Park. The 800-square-metre building is the
oldest here, and
it
once functioned as an annexe to the Artézi
Baths. Hamburgers, sandwiches, grill dishes and pancakes fly
out of the kitchen most
days of the year.
18/25
Pántlika
At
this
iconic place in
City
Park,
the holy
trinity of bean
soup, goulash and cottage-cheese dumplings has been supplemented with
sophisticated and unique handcrafted burgers. The Pántlika is a
must-see for friends, family, children and dogs, a
former Expo pavilion whose history
rhymes with that of the capital itself.
19/25
Perem
Perem
on the shores of Népsziget is a really relaxing place serving fried fish and lángos fried dough
with
dips, and English
breakfasts at weekends with iced coffee or fresh orange juice – a
little bubbly
could also be snuck into that orange juice at times. By
day and evening, the special Greek and caprese lángos,
ice-cold spritzers
and a lively
atmosphere are guaranteed.
20/25
Samantha
Poke
bowls, wraps, lemonades, summer cocktails, breakfasts and ice cream
allow
you to unwind in Buda.
With a pavilion erected and painted pink by the Hello Wood team of
eco-warriors, Samantha is the newest
member of the 4BRO group, opening daily from 11am at the Millenáris
Park. Everything
from dinner to family activities
to a first
drink
before an
evening’s carousing is possible. (x)
21/25
Tereza
Mexican
cuisine in the form of nachos, tacos, quesadillas, fajitas, burrito
bowls and chili con carne, comes with frozen margaritas, mezcal and a
big dollop of chill in the garden here, offering a bohemian vibe amid
the
residential
blocks of busy Pest.
This is a big-hearted Mexican mama
dressed in pastels and bright
colours
who knows
how to handle
flavours. (x)
22/25
VakVarjú Csónakház
In
the completely
green surroundings
of thus transformed
Danube embankment in Pesterzsébet, the VakVarjú Csónakház awaits those
wishing to relax with international flavours, Hungarian classics, a
special fish menu, a G&T bar, a wide range
of wine and its own beer. Alongside are spa baths, a beach, a
jetty and a
terrace, where tables stand on the banks of the Danube. (x)
23/25
Zöld Küllő
The
pearl of Zugló is this green spot
behind Vajdahunyad Castle, a
place for
fried
fish and burgers,
beer
and spritzers,
the Zöld Küllő. It’s
a real Danubian atmosphere here, near
the shade of the trees in City Park. Ideal for cyclists,
too.
24/25
Zsiráf
A popular beer garden alongside Nyugati station, the Giraffe stormed out of the blocks five years ago. Small-batch beer, spritzers, acoustic concerts and match-watching all feature – pick your place in the main square of festival seating or on the gentle slopes overlooking it.
25/25
ZSIRÁF Buda
Giraffe
Buda has just opened at the Millenáris Park, stablemate of its long-established namesake by Nyugati station, set in lush greenery and sure to be one of the big hitters on this side of the river this summer.
