Coffee means different things in different parts of Europe. In Italy, it might be a quick espresso at the bar before work. In Vienna, it can mean settling into a traditional coffee house with a newspaper and nowhere in particular to be. And in Budapest? Well, here, coffee comes with a little history.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Budapest’s coffee houses were much more than places to grab a drink. Writers, journalists, artists and intellectuals came here to meet, work, exchange ideas and spend hours over a cup of coffee. Some of these cafés became such important meeting places that their names are still familiar today.
Budapest has changed a lot since then, but its café culture still carries traces of the past. Some places have long histories as meeting points for writers and artists; others invite you to enjoy a coffee in a beautifully restored historic building. Each has its own story, and visiting them is a chance to experience a different side of the city. Step inside and you might find yourself admiring ornate ceilings instead of checking your phone, or lingering over coffee and cake when you only meant to stop for a few minutes.
I’ve visited every café on this list, and each has something a little different to offer. So if you’d like to experience a slice of Budapest’s past without needing a time machine, here are the historic cafés worth adding to your itinerary.
New York Café
The New York Café is probably the most famous historic café in Budapest, and once you step inside, it’s easy to see why. Think glittering chandeliers, marble columns, gold details and so much decoration that you might forget why you came in the first place. Was it coffee? Cake? Or just to stare at the ceiling?
Opened in 1894 on the ground floor of the New York Palace, the café soon became a favourite meeting place for Hungarian writers, poets and journalists. People came to meet, work, debate and sometimes spend half the day over a single coffee.
Today, the New York Café is still one of Budapest’s most talked-about sights. The downside? You’re unlikely to be the only person who wants to see it, and queues are common. If you’d like to know what it’s really like to visit, I’ve shared more in my New York Café guide.
Párisi Passage Café & Restaurant
If you love beautiful buildings, make sure you look up when you visit the Párisi Passage Café & Restaurant. Actually, look up before your coffee arrives, or you may forget all about it. The restored Párisi Udvar building on Ferenciek tere is full of intricate details and a spectacular glass roof that makes even a quick coffee stop feel a little special.
It’s also a good option if you’d rather avoid the crowds at the New York Café. The menu goes beyond coffee and cake, with breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and cocktails on offer. So you can stop by at different times of the day, even if all you had planned was a quick look at the building.
Gerbeaud Café & Confectionery
Gerbeaud has been part of Budapest’s café culture since 1858, when Henrik Kugler opened his confectionery in the city. It later became known under the name of Swiss-born confectioner Emil Gerbeaud. Today, it remains one of Budapest’s best-known historic cafés, and you can read more about it in my guide to Budapest’s food scene.
Gundel Café, Patisserie & Restaurant
If you’re spending time around City Park, you might want to add the Gundel to your plans. It’s right next to the Budapest Zoo and a short walk from Heroes’ Square, so it’s easy to combine with a visit to the area.
Gundel has a long history in Hungarian dining, and its name is probably most familiar to visitors because of the famous Gundel pancakes, filled with walnuts and served with chocolate sauce. You can stop in for coffee and cake or sit down for a meal if you want to try some traditional Hungarian dishes.
When the weather is good, the garden is another reason to stay a little longer. Check what’s on offer during your visit, especially if you’d like to enjoy the outdoor setting.
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Centrál Grand Café
If you enjoy imagining the stories behind old buildings, the Centrál Grand Café is a lovely place to stop. Opened in 1887, this historic coffee house was once a favourite haunt of Hungarian writers, poets and journalists. Among its famous regulars were Frigyes Karinthy, Dezső Kosztolányi and Zsigmond Móricz, all important figures in Hungarian literature.
The café has had its ups and downs over the decades, but its grand interior still recalls the atmosphere of old Budapest, with high ceilings, chandeliers and large windows. Today, you can stop by for breakfast, brunch, coffee and cake, or stay for a proper meal. It’s a place with a literary past, but you don’t have to know anything about Hungarian literature to enjoy a visit.
Művész Café
Right opposite the Hungarian State Opera House on Andrássy Avenue, Művész Café has a history that goes back to the days when this part of Budapest was a favourite haunt of artists and theatre-goers. The Neo-Renaissance building dates back to 1884, and the café inside has had a few names over the years. It was once known as Kis-Gerbaud, later becoming Művész Confectionery. In the 1930s, a branch of the famous Gerbeaud company operated here.
Inside, mirrors, chandeliers and traditional furnishings give the café a distinctly old-fashioned feel. Its artistic connections continued over the years, and writer Iván Mándy was among its best-known regulars. Today, you can stop in for coffee and cake before a performance at the Opera House or simply take a break while exploring Andrássy Avenue.
Gerlóczy Kávéház
The Gerlóczy is one of those places where I’d be tempted to sit outside for as long as possible, especially when the tables spill out onto the little square. Tucked away in the city centre, it has a distinctly Parisian feel, a bit of a surprise when you’re wandering around downtown Budapest.
The building dates back to the late 19th century, and there was already a café here in the early 1900s. The café life disappeared for a long stretch before returning in 2004, so while the setting has history behind it, today’s Gerlóczy isn’t an unchanged coffee house from the old days.
You can come for breakfast and coffee, but the menu goes well beyond pastries, with Hungarian classics and French bistro-style dishes. So if you sit down for “just a coffee,” don’t be surprised if you end up staying for lunch, too. The little square and terrace make it particularly appealing when the weather cooperates.
A Coffee Break with a Little History
Budapest’s historic cafés each tell a different story. Some bring you closer to the city’s literary past, others impress with their architecture, and some are simply lovely places to slow down for a while.
You don’t have to visit them all in one trip. Pick the one that catches your eye, order a coffee (and perhaps a slice of cake), and give yourself a little time to enjoy the setting. After all, there’s no need to rush every moment of a Budapest visit.
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