Best breakfast and brunch spots in Budapest

What is it? A mainstay of the breakfast industry in the nightlife hub of the Jewish Quarter, Cirkusz serves all-day brunches to the early risers and the chronically hungover. Partygoers can go into recovery mode with a breakfast of the same name or keep right on truckin’ with a Mimosa or half-litre of Staropramen.

Why we love it: It’s not just the signature Bagira coffee – also sold separately in loose bean form – quality and detail shine throughout. Avo toast is made with sourdough bread and those are Portobello mushrooms with your English breakfast. And the staff are sweethearts – few other servers would be this personable at 7.30am in Budapest.

Time Out tip: While the eggs Benedict has many followers, carnivores can go off-piste with roast beef or pulled pork varieties.

Address: Dob utca 25, 1074 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily 7.30am-4pm

Expect to pay: Eggs Benedict Ft 3,600 (€9). English breakfast Ft 5,100 (€13)

What is it? The Sunday Family Table at ÉS Bisztró, signature restaurant at the downtown Kempinski, differs from its upscale brunch competitors in that the dishes are brought to you, rather than you elbow your way around some buffet spread. A terrace overlooking the pedestrianised retail hub of Deák Ferenc utca completes the picture.

Why we love it: Rather than random fish and meat – although ÉS Bisztró is renowned for its grill – Sunday lunch here harks back to Budapest’s Habsburg heyday, thus adding a touch of historical colour to mealtime.

Time Out tip: If opting for bone marrow, a real Magyar favourite, spread the meaty stuff on toast – if in doubt, ask the waitstaff!

Address: Erzsébet tér 7-8, 1051 Budapest

Opening hours: Sunday Family Table Sun noon--3pm

Expect to pay: Ft 25,0790 (inc 15% service charge; total €63.50); 4-12s 40% discount, under-4s free

What is it? Sunday Brunch at the Marriott means a live carving station, an assigned corner for children’s activities, and lashings of fine and sparkling wine all included. The designated driver can at least take advantage of free parking in the city centre.

Why we love it: Few views stand comparison with one from the terrace of the Marriott, the Danube close enough to toss a champagne cork into, your reverie only interrupted by the regular passing of the number 2 tram.

Time Out tip: Leave enough room for dessert – a speciality at a restaurant whose philosophy reads: ‘From the Black Forest to the Black Sea’.

Address: Apáczai Csere János utca 4, 1052 Budapest

Opening hours: Sunday Brunch Sun noon--3pm

Expect to pay: Ft 26,335 (inc 15% service charge; total €66.50); 6-12s 50% discount, under-6s free

What is it? They say you’ll see more film stars coming in and out of the Four Seasons in Budapest than you do at its namesake in LA. Thus the Sunday Brunch at KOLLÁZS is class itself, three courses of sophisticated indulgence with a little live music thrown in.

Why we love it: Fine de Claire oysters, Oscietra caviar, Tokaji Aszú-marinated foie gras terrine…

Time Out tip: Don’t ignore the humble croissant here – the house flaky variety awaits pairing with truffles or salmon.

Address: Széchenyi István tér 5-6, 1051 Budapest

Opening hours: Sunday Brunch Sun noon--4pm

Expect to pay: Ft 23,900 (€60.50) + service charge for set brunch or à la carte eggs Benedict royale with smoked salmon Ft 5,600 (€14)

What is it? Here, the finest eastern Mediterranean fare in town is served from mid-morning in bare-brick and glass-roofed surroundings, amid cosmopolitan chatter in the heart of the Jewish quarter.

Why we love it Brunch gives you the chance to sample all the Mazel Tov faves – shakshuka, mergez sausage, spiced-beer hummus – without the evening rush or heavy demand for tables.

Time Out tip: Nothing’s going to pick you up and slap you round the face as much as one of Mazel Tov’s ginger shots – though if it’s hair of the dog you’re after, share a litre of frozen daiquiri with your tablemates.

Address: Akácfa utca 47, 1073 Budapest

Opening hours: Brunch daily 9.30am-3pm

Expect to pay: Hummus Love of spiced-beer hummus, tahini, soft-boiled egg and falafel Ft 4,990 (€12.50). Merguez sausage and eggs sunny side up Ft 6,790 (€17)

What is it? Budapest’s most ornate coffeehouse, no idle boast, serves its all-day breakfast from 7am beneath crystal chandeliers and amid gilded mirrors to a constant stream of customers happy to queue for the privilege.

Why we love it: One of Budapest’s most unique attractions, the New York allows you to experience just how golden this city’s Golden Age was, while matching the décor in the quality of its culinary offer.  

Time Out tip: The New York’s relatively affordable all-day breakfasts allow you to linger longer over its eggs Benedict, available until 11pm.

Address: Erzsébet körút 9-11, 1073 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily 7am-midnight, Mar-Oct Thur-Sun until 2.30am

Expect to pay: 24-carat-gold NY cappuccino Ft5,200 (€13). All-day breakfasts from Ft 6,700 (€16.50)

What is it? Authentically linked to Budapest’s golden literary past, the centrally located Centrál has embraced contemporary tastes after its 2000 revamp to offer brunches and breakfasts, aka Benedict heaven.

Why we love it  Steak, shakshuka or the house Centrál with English muffin, pancetta and poached egg, this storied coffeehouse has taken the Benedict concept and run with it – within walking distance of the Danube and Budapest’s key sights. The Centrál also sets no time limits on when it serves breakfast or brunch – meaning (very) late risers are also catered to.

Time Out tip: Inventive brunches include a shareable three-tiered tower of fine cold cuts and cheeses, creamy hummus to dip into and flaky croissants to break apart.

Address: Károlyi utca 9, 1053 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Tue, Sun 9am-10pm, Wed-Sat 9am-midnight

Expect to pay: Centrál Benedict Ft 4,290 (€10.70). Brunh of mangalica sausage with red kapia pepper Ft 3,890 (€9.70)

What is it? This long-established stylish lodging has converted its attractive downstairs space, courtyard and all, into a café/bar, and thrown it open to the public – or rather, left the door discreetly ajar for visitors to savour high-quality dishes surrounded by original art.

Why we love it Once the domain of artists-in-residence, Brody House has not lost its cachet or credibility while operating as a regular eatery – it still feels private and ever so slightly exclusive, a bit like that fantasy hotel in the John Wick franchise.

Time Out tip: In its tour around the globe, the breakfast menu stops off in the Nordic countries for a Scandi Brunch of salmon gravlax and caviar, reflecting the provenance of Brody’s affable Swedish co-founder.

Address: Bródy Sándor utca 10, 1088 Budapest

Opening times: Breakfast & brunch daily 8am-3.30pm

Expect to pay: Brody royale of poached egg on sourdough Ft 4,800 (€12). Scandi Brunch Ft 6,200 (€15.70).

What is it? Funky, cosy Kaptafa (‘Shoe Tree’) captures the morning mood of Budapest’s nightlife zone perfectly, bare brick and unusual art easy on the eye as you navigate your way around the gently humorous menu to hit upon your choice of hangover cure. You can even order a ‘recovery beer’.

Why we love it? Kaptafa recognises that breakfast can break several ways according to your mood/condition – which is why they have the ‘I’m not even hungry’ option of a croissant and home-made jam if you’ve suddenly realised that a greasy fry-up is a bridge too far.

Time Out tip: As well as an airy side room, Kaptafa features a convivial upstairs space, ideal for groups of four or five.

Address: Akácfa utca 37-39, 1072 Budapest

Opening times: Daily 9am-3.30pm

Expect to pay: CPR of cheese, bacon and French toast Ft 3,800 (€9.60). Cloud 9 of poached eggs in a cheese espuma with sourdough Ft 3,800 (€9.60)

What is it? While the breakfast epicentre of Klauzál tér is ringed with trendy start-your-day options, tucked-away Dorado justifiably has its own followers, its customer base more Magyar in character. No, the menu isn’t extensive but it doesn’t need to be – tuck into your bagel or scrambled eggs, and plan out the rest of your day.

Why we love it: Bare-brick walls and striking, original art feel very Budapest – most other breakfast spots in the vicinity could be in any given Eurocity

Time Out tip: After Dorado closes late afternoon, the Bar Lola sets up four nights of the week, serving prime Hungarian wines and quality platters until 11pm.

Address: Klauzál utca 35, 1072 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-3pm

Expect to pay: Avocado toast Ft 2,500 (€6.30; with salmon Ft 1,100/€2.80). Three-cheese grilled sandwich Ft 1,900 (€4.80; with Serrano ham Ft 800/€2)