Start the day like a king! While the run-up to Christmas is a rush, the holidays offer every opportunity to relax over a long, slow brunch with family and friends, sharing delicious dishes. Here are the best places in Budapest for a bubbly curtain-raiser to a leisurely day.
1/15
Aranypinty
Early breakfast lovers can indulge their
passion from 7.30am in this atmospheric spot that balances the elegant and the homely. In a unique, intimate setting,
between French chansons, amid Herend and Zsolnay porcelain, you can tuck into
locally baked pastries, baguettes or croissants while enjoying down time in the
peaceful, relaxed milieu of the Palace Quarter.
2/15
Béchamel
In winter, instinct draws you to a seat overlooking the chilly outdoors, enjoying something really tasty while recharging with the positive energy of comfortable surroundings. If you’re around Akácfa utca in District VII, it’s worth trying the Béchamel restaurant and café, whose atmosphere and international brunch offer are both outstanding, allowing you to choose from delicious dishes from 8am to late afternoon. Around New Year’s Eve, you usually like to slow down over a champagne breakfast, and Béchamel provides the perfect opportunity to do so. A glass of champagne is just the thing after a hearty meal, but if you’re after something warmer, you can also choose mulled wine, hot chocolate or coffee. The menu features everyone’s favourite dishes on any international brunch selection, according to French, Italian, English and American recipes. The real experience lies in the careful selection of the ingredients and their heart-felt preparation, making each dish truly special. (x)
3/15
Cirkusz
Work hard, do breakfast even harder. If you long for a regular spot where you can really be yourself and recharge, then your place is right here at Cirkusz. Healthy egg and avocado dishes, indulgent American pancakes, Eggs Benedict and, in addition to champagne, special alcoholic tipples, all await.
4/15
Déryné bisztró
Ambassadors of quality breakfasts in Budapest. Get up at ten, take a walk around one of the most beautiful parts of the city, pop in here for a glass of prosecco until the caviar and other delicacies arrive with the fresh sourdough bread. At their Sunday get-togethers, you can choose from classic brunch dishes until late afternoon, while live music plays and babysitters take care of the little ones.
5/15
Franziska
Find your place by the huge windows of Franziska near Batthyány tér, amid the woven cushions and armchairs, inviting you to cosy up away from the winter cold, and tuck into one of their colourful, healthy and nutritious dishes. We reckon this one of the best places in town for girls to do breakfast around the holidays, starting the day lightly in preparation for the onslaught of traditional bejgli cake and fish soup later. Of course, there’s room for the little bohemian touch provided by a glass of mimosa or a Hugo Spritz.
6/15
Honey
Honey is a homely brunch spot in the heart of the city centre where, thanks to the owners, a globe-trotting brother and sister, you can enjoy the experience of an all-day breakfast with delicious honey dishes and honey rarities. In addition to the particularly delicious Eggs Benedict, croques madame and monsieur, you can also tuck into American pancakes with Nutella and bananas, French toast with maple syrup and berries, and a classic English breakfast. On colder days, you can also sample special winter dishes and a variety of hot chocolates in a family-friendly setting. And for those who want something stronger, a glass of wine or a gin specialities can lay the foundations for more invigorating dishes. (x)
7/15
InterContinental Budapest
The Lebanese restaurant ARZ at the InterContinental Budapest awaits locals and expats with long breakfasts on slow festive Sundays and one of the most beautiful panoramas of the Danube in the city. On the last Sunday of Advent and the first day of Christmas, you can sign up for their brunch, which consists of international and Hungarian dishes, varying from week to week, from noon to 3pm. And if you get up late, you can try out the Christmas dinner on 24 December and save yourself the holiday kitchen tasks while surprising your friends and family with this special experience. (x)
8/15
Kuglóf Bisztró
Fresh, preservative-free domestic ingredients here come with a wonderful downtown panorama. In addition to your bright green smoothie or French toast with extras, you can gaze over at Március 15 tér or prominent Váci utca. You can also choose an organic egg breakfast or sample owner Dóra’s French pastries. It’s a great place, not only to relax with friends but to bring your Mum, for example.
9/15
Maison Buda
French elegance imbues the Hegyvidék Shopping Centre where, in addition to one of the most abundant brunch menus in the city, a light but classic lunch, French and English dishes and the creations of executive chef Dávid Csató await. You can choose between Eggs Benedict, English and Viennese breakfasts, lovers of healthier dishes can opt for the granola and acai bowl, while the choice of egg breakfasts is literally only limited by your imagination. On Sundays, parents and girlfriends can relax and chat undisturbed during family brunches while the kids are entertained by craft classes and animators. (x)
10/15
MITZI
One of the peculiarities of the area around trendy Bartók Béla út is that several generations dovetail in friendly communal fashion, somehow without disturbing each other. Champagne brunch is just such a specific genre in which everyone can find the part they love, ideal for all. And at MITZI, this mood is even more condensed, allowing you to feel the simultaneous sensation of zest and relaxation at the start of the day, and the joys of both feasting and moderate snacking.
11/15
nor/ma grand
Everything hangs together at this Nordic sourdough paradise, where you can spend the day in an undemanding yet infinitely promising environment, from a hearty breakfast to coffee and laptop hours to afternoon gatherings of friends. In addition to delicious pastries, great coffees and other hot drinks, the breakfast menu includes more serious dishes such as the heartwarming confit of duck leg with a savoury waffle or trout mousse, alongside which you can sample natural pét-nat wines. Start the day with a discerning, rustic and healthy dish.
12/15
Solid
Live the
high life atop a house on downtown Királyi Pál utca, the little sister of
acclaimed restaurant and housemate SALT. The special holiday brunch features reinvented French toast at weekends, while the Hotel Rum’s à la carte
breakfast is available at the rooftop bar during the week. You can start the
day with them every day between 7am and noon, enjoying a loose, casual,
sparkling breakfast. A great option for the morning.
13/15
Stika
A flashy barista in a bow tie, an all-day breakfast and even heartier dishes await on Dob utca. Our favourite is the wide range of Eggs Benedict, Benny, where you can choose from luxury variants such as Royal with salmon and caviar or Beef Benny with Angus beef. This apart, there are bagels, French and Viennese breakfasts, countless exciting dishes and a wide selection of wines.
14/15
Törökméz
At this familial living space on Margit utca, near the Ottoman-era Tomb of Gül Baba, you can relax in the cheerful yet swish environment of 'Turkish Honey'. The sunny corner shop is not only worth visiting in the summer, when you can sit on the shaded terrace, but also in winter, when you can spend time over a couple of warm, colourful dishes, not least in the delicatessen. Starting the day here in good company, with delicious food, really isn’t a bad idea at all.
15/15
Villa Bagatelle
As the Brót Bakery is also located in this elegant villa in leafy District XII, you can enjoy breakfast on the hoof or take your time in the restaurant on the first floor. No quarter is given, the surroundings are lavish, the food delicious. You can start the day like a king or queen, the key, they say, to staying healthy.
