The best bakeries in Budapest

What is it? Hungarian couple, Kinga and Attila Pécsi, were so inspired by what they learned and experienced in Dublin, they named their Arán Bakery after the Irish word for bread. Even naming their sourdough Paddy, the pair set about making some of the tastiest and most sought-after loaves in Budapest. The finished product not only lines the shelves of this cosy outlet in the heart of the Jewish Quarter but also features at notable restaurants across town.

Why we love it Quality is the watchword here, from the seasonal pastries to the divine sandwiches, as well as the coffee from the One Eleven roastery in Sopron. Regulars swear by the extra crusty loaves – the olive bread is the stuff of local legend.

Time Out tip: You can grab something to go or wait until a table becomes free – get here nice and early at the weekend.

Address: Wesselényi utca 23, 1077 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7.30am-7pm, Sat-Sun 8am-3pm

What is it? It took Hungarian sourdough pioneer József Vajda years of sampling, baking and studying around Germany, Austria, Transylvania and elsewhere to perfect his technique of making bread and pastries with sourdough before he opened his own bakery in Budaörs just outside Budapest. This led tonhis first outlet, Pékműhely (‘Bakery Workshop’) on Batthyány utca, near where he lived. Still small in size, this initial operation not only led to the meteoric rise of his brand, which now comprises two more shops in Buda, but kickstarted a revolution in the domestic baking industry.

Why we love it Walk in Pékműhely today and Varga’s golden brown loaves will be stacked behind the counter, made the same way as when he started out in 2010 and proof that you can make top-quality, healthy bread without compromising any principles.

Time Out tip: Alongside the counter will be a display of pastries, most notably rows of kakaós csiga, the revered cocoa swirl irresistible to any Hungarian. Find a place on a bench outside the Batthyány utca bakery and savour what all the fuss is about.

Address: Batthyány utca 24, 1015 Budapest. Other branches: Bartók Béla út 15B, 1114 Budapest; Lövőház utca 7-9, 1024 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am-7pm. Sat 8am-1pm. Closed Sun

What is it? The Marmorstein Bakery was founded in 2010 by Mihály Miklós and Zsófia Szinek: they were Budapest’s first sourdough revolutionaries, as there was hardly any quality bread in the city at the time. Their own shop still operates next to the Budafoki út factory – you can order white, brown or rye bread, as well as walnut-raisin, potato and whole-grain loaves through a small window. The breads are made with natural sourdough, leavened for 12-14 hours and baked in a wood-fired oven with a rotating baking area until crispy and soft.

Why we love it The founders started baking only because they wanted to eat good bread in restaurants. Today, a team of several people works at the Budafok factory, and Marmorstein bread is available in many cafés and restaurants around Budapest. The walnut-raisin bread has so much fruit that you don’t even need butter, and the potato variety is soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. Thanks to the long leavening and baking with natural sourdough, the bread is durable, tasty and easy to digest.

Time Out tip: Try the walnut-raisin bread with a Bagira latte on the bench by the window. If you’re taking something home for dinner, ask for the five-grain bread or the 100% rye loaf.

Address: Budafoki út 111-113, 1117 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Thur 8.30am-4.30pm, Fri 8.30am-8pm. Closed Sat-Sun

What is it? If any Hungarian baker has risen to fame during the decade-long transformation of the domestic baking industry, it’s Szabi a pék. This is the brand and nickname of Szabolcs Szabadfi, who learned his craft in Austria and, particularly, Italy. From this original rustic bakery near Városmajor park in Buda, Szabi a pék has branched out to oversee five outlets and counting, including a pizzeria in Szentendre and bakery in Debrecen.

Why we love it Fundamentally, whether it’s rolls, sandwiches, bagels or loaves, Szabi a pék still relies on the same top-quality ingredients, baking technique and sourdough that have helped him create one of Hungary’s most successful independent brands.

Time Out tip: Devoured during carnival time in Austria, baked decades ago by his grandmother, doughnuts have been a major feature of Szabi’s upbringing and baking education. Today he has his own range, bombolni or virágfánk (‘flower doughnuts’), which he sells at his bakery solely dedicated to the genre at Pozsonyi út 49 in the trendy district of Újlipótváros.

Address: Városmajor utca 34, 1122 Budapest. Other branch: Bem József utca 2, 1027 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm, Sat 8am-noon. Closed Sun

What is it? Gergő Fekete created this bakery in 2015 and was soon taking pastries to a whole other level, scones, buns, twists and swirls reflecting a Central European tradition yet produced with modern, modish contemporary techniques, artisanal as the name suggests. Alongside, a battalion of sourdough loaves await their regular customers, who’ve now been beating a path to this classy downtown store for over a decade.

Why we love it Artizán not only serves pastries but breakfasts and light lunches, too, meaning you can find a seat on the pedestrianised street outside with your soup or salad of the day, or a sourdough sandwich, a fresh juice and coffee, as part of your daytime perambulations around the city centre.

Time Out tip: Opposite, the Hungarian Postal Savings Bank is one of the finest examples of local Art Nouveau architecture, and a major stop on themed walking tours. The detail by key designer Ödön Lechner is exquisite, the large ceramic beehives on the roof a symbol of productivity.

Address: Hold utca 3, 1054 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm, Sat 7.30am-1.30pm. Closed Sun

What is it? Freyja – the croissant story, to give this trendy corner spot its full idiosyncratic name, specialises in large, imaginatively stuffed and smothered versions of the pastry in question, plus assorted irresistible bedfellows, either fruity, creamy or savoury.

Why we love it A corner location by one of Budapest’s greenest, most tranquil streets – Barát utca – appeals to a customer base of casual creatives and young families. This is one of the most laid-back café-bakeries of its kind, a few steps but a world away from the traffic roaring down Rákóczi út from Keleti station.

Time Out tip: New varieties are often being introduced – keep a watch on Freyja’s Facebook page for the latest creations.

Address: Szövetség utca 10-12, 1074 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat-Sun 8am-4pm

What is it? Sourcing their stone-ground and additive-free flour from the family-run Moulins Bourgeois in Verdelot east of Paris, the Three Tabby Cats was an instant hit when it opened in the trendy quarter of Újlipótváros in 2017. Now with two more branches either side of the Danube, Három Tarka Macska still produces some of the most divine pastries in Budapest – just ask anyone who’s tucked into one of their Belgian-chocolate-and-redcurrant cubes.

Why we love it Not only does French flour go into the creation of these wonderful pastries but French butter, too – as illustrated by the pistachio-and-raspberry or goose-liver-paste croissant.

Time Out tip: To sample the sourdough bread without having to buy a whole loaf, order a honey-mustard ham sandwich with pickles – or the tuna spread variety with egg and tomato.

Address: Pozsonyi út 41, 1137 Budapest. Other branches: Margit körút 56, 1027 Budapest; Teréz körút 22, 1066 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am-7.30pm, Sat 7.30am-6pm, Sun 8am-5pm

What is it? A bakery and bistro, the Butter Brothers may sell soups and sandwiches but their real raison d’être is the rolls, twists, pies, cakes and cookies that will have you coming back to District IX for more.

Why we love it Amid the divine aromas of quality baked goods and fine coffee, this is the ideal place to start the day, within easy reach of tram 2 or Kálvin tér metro station on the M3 and M4 lines.

Time Out tip: Here, snails come with different shells – the snail (csiga) being the local term for the pastry swirl usually generously laced with cocoa spread (kakaó), a time-honoured favourite. Go a little off-piste with walnut (diós) or cinnamon (fahéjas) varieties.

Address: Lónyay utca 22, 1093 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat-Sun 8am-12.30pm

What is it? Another tale of Hungarian bakers learning their trade in foreign parts and bringing it all back home, Läget owes its name (‘What’s up?’), its influence and its inspiration to Sweden. Specialising in Scandinavian buns (bulle) and with plentiful use of fruit jam, Csaba and Zsófia Osváth have created an oasis of Scando calm on a busy boulevard in Budapest near Nyugati station.

Why we love it With its clean lines and slightly retro feel, Läget could feel like an Abba-era Swedish furniture catalogue – instead, partly thanks to its open bakery, it is a hive of expert activity, imbued with enthusiasm and a desire to provide the many regulars with varied pastries and sourdough breads.

Time Out tip: If you’ve popped in for a typical Hungarian pastry – a pogácsa scone, say – then you may be best nipping over to Nyugati station five minutes away. You’re here for Swedish treats such as cardamom twists or buns filled with apricot jam.

Address: Bajcsy-Zsilinszky 49, 1065 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7.30am-5.30pm, Sat-Sun 8am-5pm

What is it? Budapest has many outlets offering rétes, or strudel, particularly in markets. Approaching its 20th anniversary, the First Budapest Strudel House is the ideal place to sample any of a dozen varieties, in convivial, sit-down surroundings downtown, with plenty of other options available if one of your party would prefer a classic Hungarian dish for lunch instead.

Why we love it In a heritage building dating back to 1812, the Első Pesti Rétesház is the ideal choice for the first-time visitor unfamiliar with rétes, particularly with kids in tow – no messy spills of apple filling over your clothes. You can also watch the strudel master in action, stretching the dough to thin perfection.

Time Out tip: The range of strudel varieties allows you to step out of the orchard and explore options such as poppyseed, cabbage or combinations of curd and sour cherry, say. There’s daily changing special, too.

Address: Október 6 utca 22, 1051 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily 10am-11pm

What is it? The Budai Bakery opened its first outlet in 2010, since when it has expanded into a five-strong operation. But they have always stuck to the basics they laid out at the beginning: quality Marmorstein sourdough bread, butter croissants, and freshly baked cocoa swirls and cottage-cheese buns. In addition, soups, salads and pies are also on the menu during the week. Their third outlet, located beside MOM Park mall, now also prepares omelettes, American pancakes, granolas and vegan dishes.

Why we love it According to the founders, “bread and coffee: the best of both worlds”, and their guests confirm this. In addition to sourdough bread and the signature butter croissants, pastries, cakes, and sandwiches are available, all in a smart, relaxed atmosphere. Coffee enthusiasts can enjoy varieties from Hungarian and international artisanal roasters, in dark and light roasts.

Time Out tip: Don’t miss the butter croissants and the cocoa swirls. If you’re here at lunchtime, order the daily soup or salad and take home a loaf of Marmorstein bread.

Address: Maros utca 23-25, 1122 Budapest. Other outlets Varsányi Irén utca 21, 1027 Budapest; Kiss János altábornagy utca 35, 1126 Budapest; Keleti Károly utca 10, 1024 Budapest.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm, Sat 8am-1pm. Closed Sun. Other outlets have longer opening hours at weekends

What is it? Bake My Day opened in 2018 and has since become a favoured artisanal bakery and breakfast spot for locals. The key to the place is integration: owners Péter Szabó and Zoltán Takács aim to make disabled employees feel at home. The guest space is dominated by communal tables, and the counter is lined with rye bread with Greek yoghurt, cocoa swirls and various croissants. The scrambled eggs, salads, granola and porridge are freshly made, and they are accompanied by excellent lattes and pains au chocolat – the latter with chocolate bars that melt all the way through.

Why we love it At Bake My Day, you’ll find delicious bread and human stories at the same time: from the dexterity of a blind baker to the perseverance of a colleague recovering from depression. The air-conditioned, smart space on Böszörményi út is the perfect place for a long breakfast or a work meeting.

Time Out tip: Don't miss the pacsni: you rarely find this old Hungarian, puff pastry of such high quality. The rye bread with Greek yoghurt stays fresh for days, it’s worth taking two home right away – trust us, there won’t be any left over.

Address: Böszörményi út 34A, 1126 Budapest. Other outlets Attila út 99, 1012 Budapest; Kérő utca 14-16, 1112 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 7am-3pm. Closed Sun

What is it? The bakery of the Michelin-starred SALT restaurant opened its first outlet on Tárogató út in Buda in 2023, and has since expanded with new locations in the Parliament area and Hattyú utca. The concept is a twist on Hungarian and French classics: Breton speciality kouign amann gets a new flavour with lemon and chamomile, and the cocoa swirl gets its own chocolate twist. Although the prices are a bit higher, in return you get special baked goods and the precision that is characteristic of SALT’s fine-dining background.

Why we love it SALT Bakery combines the creativity of a restaurant with the casualness of a bakery: lemon-chamomile kouign amann, vegan babka and rugelach, and the ‘best vegan sandwich’ all prove that they are not just trying to reinterpret traditional recipes here.

Time Out tip: Fresh baguettes and croissants sell out quickly, so it’s worth arriving in the morning. If you’re craving something special, try the lemon-chamomile kouign amann or the vegan babka.

Address: Tárogató út 68, 1021 Budapest. Other outlets Zrínyi utca 9, 1051 Budapest; Hattyú utca 2, 1015 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7.30am-6pm, Sat-Sun 8am-4pm

What is it? VAJ opened at the end of 2020 on the corner of József körút and Rákóczi tér and quickly became one of the hottest new-wave bakeries in Budapest. The dream of the Markó brothers and their friend Zoltán Faisztl came true: a spacious, industrial-style space where the bakery, café and delicatessen are all in one place. The bakery is run by Kristóf Markó, who brought his knowledge home from Michelin-starred kitchens in Switzerland and France. The name is no coincidence – most of the products are based on butter (vaj), and the team swears by the best ingredients, whether it’s Hungarian milk and eggs or Norman and Dutch butter.

Why we love it VAJ is not only known for its croissants and sourdough breads – they also sell long-lasting bread, French puff pastry, Scandinavian pastries and homemade sandwiches. All ingredients can be purchased at the deli counter: free-range eggs, artisanal ketchup and homemade pickles. The guest area overlooks the open bakery behind a plexiglass wall, so visitors can see every move the bakers make.

Time Out tip: Try the croissant made with butter and emmer wheat, or have a simple, perfectly prepared breakfast of ham and eggs.

Address: József körút 30-32, 1085 Budapest. Other outlets Sas utca 2, 1051 Budapest; Törökvész út 93A, 1025 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 7am-8pm, Sun 9am-8pm

What is it? Nor/ma is a Scandinavian-inspired artisanal bakery and specialty café that opened in 2019 near Kálvin tér in the city centre. The dark, long-matured sourdough breads and 27-layer, buttery croissants quickly became a hit, followed by the nor/ma Grand café at Millenáris Park and an outlet on trendy Bartók Béla út. The offer now goes far beyond pastries, embracing sandwiches, soups, salads, natural wines, specialty coffees and deli delicacies.

Why we love it Nor/ma confidently combines Scandinavian recipes and Hungarian ingredients. In addition to the cardamom and cinnamon bulle, cocoa swirl, pain au chocolat, cottage-cheese bun or the various Danish variations, it is also worth stopping by for the long-life breads and signature sandwiches. Sustainability also gets a subtle twist at the Bartók Béla út store: left-over croissants are used to make croissant pralines with caramel and walnut pralines.

Time Out tip: Try the 27-layer croissant with a cappuccino at Kecskeméti utca, sit outside at nor/ma Grand with a pistachio croissant or a natural wine by Millenáris park, or try a signature sandwich at Bartók, then take something home from the deli section.

Addresses & opening hours: Kecskeméti utca 11, 1053 Budapest; Bartók Béla út 32, 1111 Budapest (both Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 8am-3pm); Margit körút 75-87, 1024 Budapest (daily 7am-8pm)

What is it? Ide Süss Manufaktúra is a tiny new-wave bakery in Buda, where all bread, cakes and pastries are made from sourdough. The bakers use exclusively Hungarian organic flours, which come from small producers such as Kukutyin Műhely, and the Pásztó and Gyürkica farms. The repertoire always includes five types of bread, including loaves baked from spelt and einkorn wheat, and French peasant bread. The dough of the fluffy cakes is made with butter and olive oil, and the house favourite is the chocolate-blueberry babka, which, together with Racerbeans coffee, is a real unmissable treat.

Why we love it The owner of the place, Anita Kovács, was drawn to the love of sourdough at the age of 50. After her career as manager of a hospice, she first baked for friends, then opened her own bakery near Batthyány tér in May 2023. Building community is important to Anita, and this is reflected in her bakery: a workshop, a café and a meeting place at the same time.

Time Out tip: Try the chocolate-blueberry babka and the ‘bull’s-eye’ jam cake, both favourites of the many regulars.

Address: Medve utca 20, 1027 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Thur 7.30am-6pm, Fri 7.30am-4pm, Sat 7.30am-2pm. Closed Sun