The best cafés in Budapest

What is it? The most elegant of coffeehouses from the city’s fin-de-siècle heyday, the New York Café bills itself as ‘The Most Beautiful Café in the World’ – hence the crystal chandeliers, 24-carat-gold latte macchiato and slow-moving queue to get in every morning.

Why we love it: For its gilded history – Mihály Kertész, later Michael Curtiz of Casablanca fame, was a regular, while playwright Ferenc Molnár threatened to throw the key into the Danube so that the place would never close. 

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

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? Anchoring the main square of Vörösmarty tér, the venerable Gerbeaud is synonymous with the apricot-walnut-and-chocolate slice, invented here by the Swiss master confectioner of the same name.

Why we love it: What was the point of the Habsburgs if not to spoil us with their creamy treats a century or more later? Their empire may have crumbled but their cakes still hold firm, to be devoured with delicate little forks on exquisite china in gilded institutions such as these.

Time Out tip: Every day between 2pm and 6pm, Gerbeaud offers an afternoon tea featuring Hungary’s most revered cakes, Dobos, Gerbeaud and the buttercream-rich Esterházy slice.

Address: Vörösmarty tér 7-8, 1051 Budapest

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

Expect to pay: Hungarian chicken paprikash Ft 7,990 (€20). Gerbeaud slice Ft 4,250 (€10.65)

What is it? Unveiled, as the date on its awning suggests, in 1887, the centrally located Centrál was revived in 2000, both as a convivial café and as a host of cultural gatherings.

Why we love it: Serving classic Hungarian confectionery, revered mains and notable wines, this literary legend also nods to its hallowed past by holding free writing sessions for local high-school students on Tuesday afternoons – the same day of the week that the illustrious contributors to seminal Hungarian journal Nyugat would convene here a century ago. 

Time Out tip: Brunch here is varied and substantial – try the mangalica sausage, made with prime Hungarian pork.

Address: Károlyi utca 9, 1053 Budapest

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

Expect to pay: Brunch Ft 3,890 (€9.70). Hungarian cake selection Ft 4,190 (€10.50)

What is it? Diagonally across from the Opera House, the Művész cannot claim an uninterrupted lineage to the gilded era of Habsburg confectionery, but its Biedermeier furnishings and revolving display of enticing desserts would not have looked out of place in Liszt’s day. 

Why we love it: Cosy in winter, its terrace a prime spot on the leafy showcase boulevard of Andrássy út in summer, the Művész encourages friends, writers, lovers and business associates to idle and interact in timeless surroundings.

Time Out tip: While some of the vast cake selection here can be found elsewhere in Budapest, much is unique – peruse the list to discover curiosities such as the Opera coffee slice or gold-and-green cake from Örség.

Address: Andrássy út 29, 1061 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily 9am-8pm

Expect to pay: Wiener melange with honey Ft 1,890 (€4.75). Andrássy slice Ft 1,890 (€4.75)

What is it? For all its Parisian feel and fine desserts, the Gerlóczy offers tranquillity in the heart of the city, its terrace hidden amid greenery and behind a statue of Budapest’s first mayor. 

Why we love it: Birdsong and, in autumn, the gentle fall of golden leaves accompany your satisfying time reading, writing or just musing here, perhaps over a pistachio mille-feuille with raspberry, and melange with honey.

Time Out tip: As well as cakes, the Gerlóczy specialises in top-quality sourdough bread which comes with your Viennese sausage breakfast or can be taken home as a loaf to share.

Address: Gerlóczy utca 1, 1052 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily 7.30am-11pm

Expect to pay: Fruit tea Ft 1,450 (€3.65). Gerlóczy After Eight dessert Ft 2,500 (€6.25)

What is it? Founded by baristas from design boutique/café Printa, espresso embassy is one of the pioneers of Budapest’s new-wave coffee culture. The place opened in 2013 and was one of the first in town to start working with alternative coffee-making methods. It’s been a firm favourite with specialty coffee enthusiasts ever since.

Why we love it Because expertly trained, internationally certified baristas prepare the drinks with precision and passion. The space is busy but not noisy, making it perfect for a quick meeting or answering a few emails over a well-made cortado.

Time Out tip: If you liked what you had, you can take it home with you: choose from the coffee beans available here. Browse the shelves – Hario hand grinders, AeroPresses and stylish mugs are also on offer.

Address: Arany János utca 15, 1051 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7.30am-5pm, Sat-Sun 8.30am-5pm

Expect to pay: Cortado Ft 1,100 (€2.90), caffè latte Ft 1,450 (€3.70), granola Ft 1,350 (€3.50)

What is it? Epicentre of the urban phenomenon that is Bartók Béla út – the café- and gallery-lined avenue that shifted attention from Pest to Buda –  Kelet (‘East’) still operates as a cultural hub and key hangout five years later.

Why we love it: Unpretentious and informal, Kelet keeps its prices reasonable without skimping on quality or that personal touch where service is concerned.

Time Out tip: Across the street, Gdansk attracts an arty and invariably thirsty crowd with its Polish specialities, own-brand beer and retro-boho ambience.

Address: Bartók Béla út 29, 1114 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7.30am-11pm, Sat 9am-11pm, Sun 9am-10pm

Expect to pay: Indonesian peanut-sauce sandwich Ft 1,800 (€4.50). Kola-nut cordial Ft 1,300 (€3.25)

What is it? Massolit is a cosy, secluded garden café in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, in surprisingly quiet surroundings. What makes it special is that it is also an English-language bookstore for new and used editions, where you can easily get lost among the shelves.

Why we love it Because coffee is only one part of any given visit. Books on special topics (social studies, architecture, Jewish culture), postcards and other souvenirs surround a front counter heaving with freshly baked quiches, homemade cookies, carrot cake and brownies.

Time Out tip: From the back of the interior you can step out into a peaceful garden shaded by fig trees, where comfortable tables and WiFi make it ideal for reading, studying or working in peace

Address: Nagy Diófa utca 30, 1072 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily 9.30am-7pm

Expect to pay: Caffè latte Ft 1,200 (€3), chai latte Ft 1,400 (€3.60) homemade cookies from Ft 1,000 (€2.60)

What is it? An English-run new-wave café operating at two prime locations, downtown District V and District VII in Budapest’s bar hub.

Why we love it: The Goat Herder relies on Scando-led, ethical coffee roaster Awaken in Hungary for its superb brews. While you may find cheaper breakfasts, you may not have a better cappuccino in Budapest than the one served here. 

Time Out tip: The two eggs with sourdough toast option (Ft 2,250/€5.65) should set you up for the day without breaking the bank.

Address: Bánk utca 6, 1054 Budapest & István utca 5, 1078 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, Sat-Sun 8am-4pm. (István utca branch from 7.30am Mon-Fri.)

Expect to pay: Granola pot Ft 1,250 (€3.15). Flat white Ft 1,250 (€3.15)

What is it? One of the last of Budapest’s great literary cafés to be revived, reopening in 2010, the Hadik predates the recent renaissance of the avenue it overlooks, Bartók Béla út. This has allowed it to become a cultural cornerstone anchoring a strip of galleries, and provide a more traditional contrast to the contemporary hangouts nearby.

Why we love it: Relaxed, informal yet proud of its heavyweight literary history, Hadik caters to its regular clientele of older Buda bookworms without alienating the younger creatives also in its orbit. And it serves a fine cappuccino freddo.

Time Out tip: Almost anticipating the changes happening along Bartók Béla út, Hadik shares the building with partner bar Szatyor, arty, bohemian and named after the carrier bags dished out at supermarket tills.

Address: Bartók Béla út 36, 1111 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Wed, Sun noon-11pm, Thur-Sat noon-midnight

Expect to pay: Karinthy slice Ft 1,890 (€4.75). Iced coffee with vanilla ice cream Ft 1,690 (€4.25)

What is it? One of the old and new players on trendy Pozsonyi út, the café formerly known as Partisan now continues with a new look and a new name, Relative Pozsonyi. This dog-friendly spot has preserved its strengths and its range of food and drink, while building a new identity around the philosophy that everything is relative. The result is a reliable spot in what is known as Újlipócia, the café-dotted neighbourhood where young professionals start the day with good coffee and quality breakfasts.

Why we love it Relative works with a constantly updated, playful and creative offering: think superfood lattes, croffles (the love child of a croissant and a waffle) and carefully composed bagels. Everything is freshly made on-site, from quality ingredients.

Time Out tip: The eggdrop is a real rarity in Budapest, but here it’s a must. A soft omelette enclosed between two thick, artisanal brioches is pepped up by a secret vegan mayonnaise.

Address: Pozsonyi út 16A, 1137 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily 8am-5pm

Expect to pay: Superfood latte Ft 1,890 (€4.85), egg drop from Ft 2,890 (€7.40), pistachio latte Ft 2,090 (€5.35)

What is it? Click on its dot by Elizabeth Bridge on Google Maps and Három Holló (‘Three Ravens’) is described as a ‘cultural center’. It is, in fact, a pleasant café at a prime location with an active literary agenda, as befits its links to the legacy of Hungary’s greatest poet, Endre Ady.

Why we love it: Since opening in 2017 on the 140th anniversary of the birth of revered writer Ady, Három Holló – named after his former drinking haunt by the Opera House. – has never wavered in its mission to provide a convivial space for culture. Nor has it alienated passing tourists, its terrace granting them a fine view of stark white Elizabeth Bridge as she starts her graceful journey over the Danube.

Time Out tip: Though there is no Events section on its English page, check out programok on its Hungarian-language site – in the summer of 2025, you’d find the Latino band Sudamerican Rockers, Greek rebetiko and Polish combo Groovosophers featuring famed New York jazz trumpeter Satish Robertson.

Address: Piarista köz 1/corner Szabadsajtó út, 1052 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily noon-midnight

Expect to pay: Weekday lunch (two courses, two choices of mains Ft 2,950 (€7.40). Pint of locally brewed craft beer Hübris on draught Ft 1,050 (€2.65)

What is it? At the vanguard of the new wave of contemporary cafés in Budapest, Canadian-run Cube prides itself on top-notch, seasonal ingredients mainly sourced from small-batch producers.

Why we love it: A mixed Hungarian and global crowd gathers amid the regularly changing original art here, not just for the micro-roasted light brews from Casino Mocca and celebrated vegan banana bread, but to hang out and chat with like-minded coffee sippers.

Time Out tip: The square alongside Cube’s pavement tables doubles up as public park with a sports court and skating rink in winter – hence the many young families. It’s also gateway to an excellent local market hall with one of Budapest’s best cheese outlets. 

Address: Hunyadi tér 8, 1067 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7.30am-6pm, Sat 8am-5pm, Sun 9am-4pm

Expect to pay: Espresso macchiato Ft 930 (€2.35). Vegan banana bread Ft 1,090 (€2.75)

What is it? On the fringes of trendy Újlipótváros, this small but special café serves exciting coffee combinations accompanied by sandwiches, croissants and artisanal pastries.

Why we love it For Anna and Tamás, friendly yet professional service is a given. What’s on offer is also constantly refreshed, so there is always a reason to come back – one week you’ll be sipping Peruvian coffee, another, an Ethiopian brew brings exotic aromas to District XIII.

Time Out tip: If you can’t find a free table, you don’t have to leave empty-handed – ask for a dirty chai and a sandwich to go.

Address: Kresz Géza utca 38, 1132 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7.30am-4pm. Closed Sat-Sun

Expect to pay: Dirty chai Ft 1,650 (€4.25), matcha Ft 1,600 (€4.10), sandwiches from Ft 1,550 (€4)

What is it? More than just a coffeehouse. Integral to a hotel opened in 1914, Astoria was where the leaders of the first Hungarian republic convened four years later. Later a Gestapo headquarters, Astoria lends its name to this central junction and metro station – those sipping coffee in its stately café are literally surrounded by history.

Why we love it: A-Listers may generate Insta clicks when staying at five-star hotels elsewhere in town but guests tucking into their royal chocolate mousse here know that they might be sitting where momentous decisions were taken that changed the course of Hungarian history. 

Time Out tip: For the full Astoria experience, visit on a Friday or Saturday evening when pianist József Badi rolls back the years.

Address: Kossuth Lajos utca 19-21, 1052 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily 7am-11pm

Expect to pay: Astoria Schnitzel Ft 6,700 (€16.75). Astoria home-made fruit pie Ft 1,790 (€4.50)

What is it? Reopening under new ownership in March 2026, ‘NotFish’ combines café, bistro and delicatessen in an intimate space embellished by the urban art of Marcus Goldson, these new works commissioned especially for the space. Keeping the daily changing lunch menu to one soup and one main, the incoming proprietor Igor Spanjević, long connected with the gastronomic media, has also sourced top-quality confectionery, cold cuts and sought-after cordials.

Why we love it Quality is the watchword here – the confectionery by NekedCake https://nekedcake.hu/en/, the Salami Milano by Levoni and the single-origin, 100% Arabica coffee – at affordable prices and served with a smile.

Time Out tip: The meats and cheeses displayed before you can be sliced, wrapped and taken away – or stuffed into one of Nemhal’s signature doorstep sandwiches, composed according to your wishes.

Address: Böszörményi utca 7, 1126 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-7pm

Expect to pay: Cortado Ft 1,000 (€2.60), matcha latte Ft 1,300 (€3.30), cake by the slice Ft 1,600 (€4)

What is it? In a former furniture showroom whose huge picture windows reflect the façades of the up-and-coming Margit Quarter surrounding it, Montage is a self-styled ‘coffice’, a co-working space with high-quality specialty coffee. Fine teas also feature, cold pressed juices, and superior snacks and sandwiches.

Why we love it Once you’re served in friendly, efficient fashion, you’re left to your own devices – or rather, device, as you tap away on your laptop in stylish comfort. Larger tables may accommodate casual meetings while seats on the leafy terrace lend themselves more to an intimate coffee/lunch for the two of you.

Time Out tip: While the coffee looks and smells enticing, you might investigate the sought-after teas here – Greek Mountain Citrus is harvested by the shepherds of the Rhodope Mountains in the heights where Greece straddles Bulgaria.

Address: Margit körút 8, 1027 Budapest

Opening times: Mon-Fri 7.30am-7pm, Sat-Sun 8.30am-7pm

Expect to pay: Flat white Ft 1,250 (€3.20), chai latte Ft 1,400 (€3.55), feta & Serrano sandwich Ft 1,650 (€4.20)

What is it? Tucked away on Lázár utca between the Basilica and the Opera House, new-wave café 9BAR has been one of the most best-known destinations for lovers of quality coffee since 2015.

Why we love it The café, which collaborates with various roasting partners, is also known for its fresh croissants and pastries, enticing regulars to return to its cosy interior and friendly staff. Don't be put off by the invariable queue, as the service is pretty fast.

Time Out tip: Choose between a dark and light roast for your cappuccino, created by roasters such as Bonanza from Berlin and Livorno’s Arcaffè.

Address: Lázár utca 5, 1065 Budapest

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

Expect to pay: Flat white Ft 1,580 (€4), fresh orange juice Ft 1,510 (€3.90), pistachio croissant Ft 1,840 (€4.70)

What is it? Filling the lobby of a classic cinema of the same name which first opened in 1939, Horizont caters mainly to the tourist trade, including overspill from the long queue outside the New York Café across the street.

Why we love it Sipping coffee amid 1930s’ elegance, albeit in the contemporary guise of a new-wave café, is a fine way to start any day – and there’s usually a table free, in contrast to the oversubscribed legend next door.

Time Out tip: Breakfasts here involve eggs, pancakes, avocado or granola – or you could just go for a croissant or pain au chocolat.

Address: Erzsébet körút 13, 1073 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily 9am-4pm

Expect to pay: Cortado Ft 1,000 (€2.60), matcha latte Ft 2,000 (€5.15), eggs Benedict Ft 4,500 (€11.50)

What is it? This small, vegan specialty café is tucked away in one of the most beautiful streets in Buda’s Castle District, and has been bringing fresh energy to the historic setting since the pandemic summer of 2020. It’s a modern, clean, subtly vintage space that naturally blends into the historic milieu. The menu includes La Cabra roasting coffees, Zhao Zhou wild teas, cold-pressed fruit and vegetable juices, and vegan pastries.

Why we love it Coffee is truly the star here. Dóra, the owner of 4minutes, works with Goosebumps coffee for espresso-based drinks and filter coffees. The espresso is made on a Modbar machine, which is not only an aesthetic decision, but also an experience: guests can observe the coffee-making process. Each cup comes with an information card with the most important information – growing area, processing method, variant, flavour notes – so sipping is also a discovery.

Time Out tip: If you like one of the handmade ceramic cups, you can take one home – check out the online shop. There’s no WiFi, a conscious decision so that everything here revolves around slowing down and being in the moment.

Address: Országház utca 15, 1014 Budapest

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 8.30am-2pm. Closed Sun-Mon

Expect to pay: Doppio Ft 1,380 (€3.55), espresso tonic Ft 1,580 (€4)

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