My Top 3 Cafés in Budapest-sweet treats by UandStyle

Are you visiting Budapest anytime soon? During your city walk, enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee and a piece of delicious cake in one of these traditional, classic Cafés!

Once upon a time coffee houses were home to cultural life, writers and artists often gathered here. Average people enjoyed a cup of coffee mainly on Sundays. Today these old Cafés have their own style and atmosphere. The city is full of old and new,  trendy places, everybody has its own favorite, here is my personal Top 3:

3rd Auguszt Confectionary - Tradition and style at one place

I love the city center, there is so much to discover there. Anytime I visit it with my guests, I usually invite them for a coffee at the Auguszt confectionary. There are three Auguszt confectioneries downtown offering the finest cakes in the center. The family-owned place is led by the 5th generation, the owners are managing the coffee house with passion and professionalism. The service is exceptional.  Every year before Christmas, I  buy the traditional nut and poppy seed roll here. Their specialty is the E80 cake, which was created by the family members to commemorate the 80th birthday of the founder Elek Auguszt. It is made with a rich chocolate filling and a thin marzipan layer in the middle and covered with light coffee cream. My downtown tour includes cake tasting at the Auguszt, come and explore this special place with me!

E80 cake

2nd Ruszwurm – Romantic, cozy Café in the Castle district

Since I’m working as a tour guide, I spend most of my time at the Buda Castle district. There is a place I like to drop by for coffee and cake, that is Ruszwurm, just a corner away from the Matthias Church. The family-owned confectionery’s history is dating back to 1827. When you enter the place, you feel like you travel back in time, the baroque interior sets the romantic, elegant mood already.  In the 19th century, the aristocracy visited the confectionary regularly, for Christmas or any other family occasions they ordered the cake from here. When Sisi (Empress Elisabeth of Austria) spent some time in Buda, she loved the place, her absolute favorite one was the ice-coffe, spearmint candy and ’krémes’, which looks like a Vanilla Slice. It’s actually fresh cream between two layers of pastry, dusted with icing sugar. Pure bliss! Ruszwurm has its own, special recipe for krémes. My favorite one is the Cake of Hungary from 2016, called „The Green Gold of the Őrség” with raspberry jelly, white chocolate and pumpkin seed oil. The place is usually crowded, but it won’t take you longer than 10 minutes and you will get a table. This confectionary is divine!

„The Green Gold of the Őrség” cake

1st New York Café – Piece of luxury

If you are looking for a special Café, you are at the right place. New York Café is everything you can wish for: Elegance, quality, live music, mesmerizing interior. Soft colors, marble columns, glorious staircases, Venetian chandeliers transforms the place into a luxurious palace.  The Café is part of the eclectic, Italian-style New York Palace Boscolo Hotel. Classic dishes are served with popular, traditional Hungarian cakes like Dobos or Eszterházy cake. Breakfast is excellent, the cappuccino was also exceptional. It’s a rare experience to listening to live gypsy music during breakfast. The place is often filled up with tourists, but don’t be bothered by that! Rather enjoy the unique atmosphere!

If you are visiting any of these coffee houses, please let me know how you liked it! I will share with you some more programs and events in town soon. For more insider tips in Budapest, feel free to contact me at [email protected]! I will be happy to show you around!