While 'eating breakfast out' was a curiosity around 2013, now it feels like the new norm, especially when on holiday. Breakfasts are stretching late in big European cities, with more and more cafés and restaurants cooking up banging meals in the morning. Here are some new places and breakfast options based on our experiences from the past few months.
1/7
Cork Breakfast & Wine
Three young people from Ukraine are paving the way for Cork, a brunch spot, wine bar, and romantic dinner venue from 9 am to 10 pm. As well as classic egg breakfasts, they serve shakshuka with feta and hummus, polenta with sautéed mushrooms and poached egg cream, and poppy seed pancakes with cream caramel and banana brűlée. Cork's bruschetta is also a complete brunch meal. It's a cosy place, with some tables offering a spectacular view of the Basilica.
- Price range: **
- WLB tip: polenta with fried mushrooms, poached egg cream polenta, gombovci
2/7
Csemege
Csemege is another all-day hybrid venue, close to Kálvin and Egyetem Squares. Csemege is retro only in name ('csemege' being an archaic word for 'delight' or ‘delicacy’) and in some interior design elements, but the flavours are modern, following international trends. Sunny mornings will be filled with delicacies, such as lemon-cheese grilled sandwiches, croissants, mille-feuilles, and homemade tacos stuffed with pulled king trumpet mushrooms. As well as their great coffee blend, the teas and hot chocolates are also worth trying, along with the organic wines.
- Price range: **
- WLB tip: lemon-cheese grilled sandwiches, vegan tacos with king trumpet mushroom
3/7
Greenhabit
Everything healthy, nutritious, guilt-free, and easy on your body is available at Greenhabit. With a youthful environment and no fuss or dress code, they serve comfort food in a modern, light form. Conscious hedonism starts at 8 am on weekdays and 9 am on weekends. In addition to the egg options, toasts are our favourite, with plenty of nutritious and healthy toppings.
- Price range: *
- WLB tip: beetroot and goat cheese toast, plum and cinnamon porridge
4/7
DOBRUMBA
In December, we had brunch at Dobrumba, which added a refreshing and innovative flavour to Budapest mornings. Loyal to their style, they brought great Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes tuned for the morning, with pastries and just the right vegetable–protein–starch ratio. You could say they have a thematic concept, which quickly found appreciative customers: brunch menus run from Thursday to Sunday, from 9 am, with a full house of course, so reservations are recommended. These are the fabulous daybreaks of the Arabian Nights!
- Price range: **
- WLB tip: Dobrumba breakfast, makanek – lamb sausage with pomegranate glaze
5/7
Deszka
We have a touch of Friends vibes in Deszka's lovely and cosy living room. Maybe it's the sofas or the warm atmosphere, but the new breakfast spot on Veres Pálné Street is a place for relaxation, youth, and joie de vivre. Not only is Mázli the dog in charge of the ambience, but also the utterly unique breakfast platters dreamed up by creative chef Árpád Borbély. No place offers an egg wrapped in panko or an Eggs Benedict based on a Hungarian cheese patty instead of a muffin. These price-defying solutions will also help you embrace the spot in no time.
- Price range: **
- WLB tip: French toast, Eggs Benedict
6/7
Babutzi
We agreed that the area of the Déli railway station is not the gastronomic oasis you would expect at such a busy hub. Which is exactly why Babutzi is in the perfect place. Modern and considerate, it doesn't go overboard. It's not open at weekends, but on busy weekdays it awaits customers from 7:30 am to enjoy a delicious and well-designed breakfast or a meal with a colleague, a friend, or even our dog. Vegans are also very welcome, Babutzi caters to everyone and prepares French toast with the same care as their superfood bowl tailored to your taste.
- Price range: **
- WLB tip: build your own bowl, Breakfast Taco plate
7/7
NOAH
There's plenty on offer on the café and breakfast scene in Újlipótváros, but there are also plenty of worn-out and overhyped spots. We now recommend one that is a professional, all-day eatery with cleverly conceived breakfasts. NOAH offers mostly international breakfast favourites, but with its own twist, imagination and substance. No worries if you're in a rush and need to finish quickly, but if you have the time, make sure to just sit back and enjoy a delicious breakfast as a special start of the day, whether it's a Tuesday or a Sunday.
- Price range: **
- WLB tip: Croque Madame, croissants
