Coffee Houses and Cake Shops

Between the wars Budapest’s coffee houses were famous. Taking on some of the functions of English clubs each had its own loyal clientele. Of those old coffee houses few now remain, although it is true a number of newcomers are trying to recreate some of former atmosphere. The grandest was on the ground floor of the New York Palace. Although this too has been closed for a number of years, it is in fact undergoing a painstaking renovation and conversion into an hotel, and the coffee house is expected to reopen in the not too distant future. The Centrál Coffee House (on the corner of Károlyi Mihály utca) has already reopened after having long been in a state of neglect. The Zsolnay Coffee House (Váci utca 20) is part of the Taverna Hotel. The Angelika Coffee House is in Buda, at Batthyány tér 7.

Many of Budapest’s famous cake shops are also, in effect, coffee houses. In the heart of the city, the most famous of all is Gerbeaud, on Vörösmarty Square. It has operated continually since 1858 and is known the world over. The Hauer on Rákóczi út and the Ruszwurm in the Castle District are also popular. At the Zsolnay Coffee Shop within the Béke Hotel on Teréz körút you can enjoy coffee and cakes served on Zsolnay porcelain. Auguszt is another business that has been passed on through generations of the same family. It has branches in Buda at Fény u. 8 and in Pest at Kossuth L. u. 14-16. The Szamos Marzipan outlet on Párizsi utca is also a favourite for its ice cream.

Gerbeaud Confectionery
V., Vörösmarty tér 7
Tel.: 429-9000
Open: 9 am-9 pm
Traditional cakes and pastries served in a sumptuous environment

Hauer Confectionery
VIII. Rákóczi 47-49
Tel.: 323-1476
Open: 10 am-8 pm
Traditional cakes

Lukács Confectionery
VI., Andrássy út 70
Tel.: 302-8747
Open: weekdays: 9 am-8 pm, Saturday, Sunday: 10 am-8 pm
Old-style café milieu, traditional range of cakes etc.

Múzeum Café and Restaurant
VIII., Múzeum krt. 12
Tel.: 267-0375
Open: Monday-Saturday midday-midnight
Elegant milieu, Hungarian and international flavours

Művész Café
VI., Andrássy út 29.
Tel.: 352-1337
Open: daily 9 am-midnight
Distinguished milieu, traditional cakes, sandwiches

Ruszwurm
I., Szentháromság tér 7
Tel.: 375-5284
Open: Monday-Sunday: 10 am-7 pm
Hungarian and international cuisine

Taverna-Zsolnay Café
V., Váci u. 20
Tel.: 485-3100
Open: 9 am-10 pm
Nearly 100 types of cake, coffee specialities

Zsolnay Café
VI., Teréz krt. 43 (Radisson SAS Béke Hotel)
Tel.: 301-1600
Open: 10 am-9.30 pm
Magical cakes, superb coffees served on Zsolnay porcelain