Food and Restaurants Budapest

How much is a coffee in Budapest? Really varies, and it depends how much you’re willing to spend on quality. In our Best cafés in Budapest list, we collected places with decent prices (maybe 500-1200 Forints / 1,5-4 euros on average, starting from a simple capuccino), which is a pretty good deal for the outstanding, original quality they offer. Each of these is an exceptional coffee shop Budapest is proud of, and we kept this list short to give you a chance to check them all out!

My Little Melbourne: one of the best Café and cool brew bar in Budapest

If the hustle and bustle in Gozsdu udvar is a little too much for you, let me recommend a nearby place just off Gozsdu (towards Deák tér). The owners fell in love with Melbourne coffee culture on a visit a few years back, and transported the ideals to the Jewish quarter in Budapest. The place is small, cozy, and the coffee is obviously amazing. Life is too short for bad coffee – they claim wisely while serving your favorite Tiger Chai Latte.

3 Madách Imre út, 1075 Budapest

Credit: Facebook @mylittlemelbourne

Kelet kávézó és galéria: Best café in Buda (Budapest)

Wow! An actual café, in the classic sense, and yet fused with all the hip amenities a cool place is supposed to have nowadays. Lined with books, and frequented by a young and chic crowd, this is one of the best places on Bartók Béla Boulevard, which is one of the few areas in Budapest popular with locals but still unknown to most visitors. The name Kelet translates as ‘East’, and it’s not just a vibe – their Middle Eastern dishes are surprisingly authentic, and they also host cool exhibits regularly. It’s easily accessible from Móricz Zsigmond körtér or Gellért tér (both on the bus 7/M4 lines).

29 Bartók Béla út, 1114 Budapest

Credit: Facebook @keletkavezo

The Goat Herder: Great specialty coffee Budapest

Few visitors realize that the infamous 7th district, aka the party district of Budapest has an outer part – way more residential, and a little more rough on the edges if you know what I mean. In this area known by locals as ‘Chicago’, the best coffee Budapest award goes to the Goat Herder, which is a British couple’s gift to the neighborhood. Many students from nearby colleges (Veterinary Medicine, McDaniel College) love the place – their bircher muesli with poached pear breakfast is legendary. In terms of coffee, they have a real barista who will speak great English and serve really good stuff – it comes from a brilliant local roaster whose passion it is to preserve as much natural flavor as possible. Unfortunately they close at 4:30 on weekdays and 3 on weekends, so go in the morning or the early afternoon!

5 István utca, 1078 Budapest

Credit: Facebook @thegoatherder2015

Massolit Books & Café: Best books & coffee shops Budapest combo

Do you know a better combo than great coffee in Budapest with a good book? In the shadow of the big ruin bars in the party district, this foreign language bookstore slash café offers just that. It’s a much needed haunt for a foggy winter day – except that in summer, it’s actually a much needed haunt for a summer afternoon, with a really cool backyard patio overlooking a small but really beautiful park. Ask for Hungarian classics in English translation, and chill like a local! Make sure to check out the exhibitions they host in their gallery.

30 Nagy Diófa utca, 1072 Budapest

Credit: Facebook Massolit Books & Cafe

Almost made the Budapest cafés best of list…

Some more places to check out so you don’t run out of Budapest coffee ideas: New York Café if you want to go super fancy (and super expensive). Horizont café, the trendy brunch and coffee place. Fat Mama on Kazinczy street, right in the heart of the party district. Zoska, cutest hideaway for breakfast around Astoria. Kávétársaság, easily the best place to shop for international coffee and tea specialties. Csiga, the dog friendly hipster bar/café with great lunch menu deals. And Mesterbike, where they fix your bike while you sip on your latte.

Enjoy your coffee! Recommended Budapest downtown accommodation: Maverick Hostel and City Lodge, in the heart of the city.