Do you know what’s new in Budapest? We do. Here are the coolest places in the Hungarian capital that has just opened.
Don Doko Don
1085 Budapest, Üllői út 2-4.
Ever since the opening of Leves. in 2012, downtown Kálvin tér and its immediate neighborhood have been constantly attracting newer and newer takes on what can be sold as street food. Now, it’s the popular Japanese dish donburi which was given an eat-on-the-go makeover. At Don Doko Don, you can try the delicious rice stews in two versions: one comes with beef, onion and ginger, while the other with pork, potato, carrot, ginger and radish, both flavored with soy sauce. A large menu, which also includes a nikuman (steamed pork bun) and a cup of miso soup, costs 1850 HUF.
Deli’s Vegan Bistro
1114 Szabolcska Mihály utca 3.
Located in one of the quiet yellow-bricked little streets of Újbuda, Deli’s Vegan Bistro was thought up by former yoga instructor Zsófia Deli, whose mission is to bring the joy of a meat-free diet to everyone, without having to compromise on taste. Vegan dishes at the friendly venue include the Deli burger, made with vegetable patty, vegan cheese, red onion jam and ajvar, daily soups, sandwiches, raw cakes, and daily changing main courses, all made from seasonal ingredients. A number of items offered at Deli’s are also available in gluten free versions!
Waffle & Love
1092 Budapest, Ráday utca 1-3.
Ráday utca isn’t called the main eating-and-drinking street of Budapest for nothing: it’s usually the place where one goes to in order to bump into something new. Now, with the opening of Waffle & Love, there’s one more reason to visit the renowned culinary artery. Run by a young couple, the spacious interior gives place to huge windows, sitting next to which you can consume your bubble waffle of choice while watching the passers-by. Sweet and savoury waffles are both available, with toppings such as chocolate sauce, whipped cream, fruits, salmon, bacon, cheese and so on.
Coffee Stand Gutenberg
1085 Budapest, Békési utca 1.
The proud owner of the title of Budapest’s smallest specialty coffee shop, Coffee Stand Gutenberg is a tiny joint serving potent black brews only for take-away next to the recently refurbished Gutenberg tér. The coffee beans are cultivated by a Hungarian farmer in Costa Rica, but they’re supplied to the Coffee Stand by Szekszárd-based Lucky Cap Roastery. Besides the light-roast brews, the one-man shop also offers artisanal bakery products from The Mill, hot chocolate, tea and vitamin rich fruit and vegetable juices, all for wallet-friendly prices.
Tűzhely Café & Restaurant
1112 Budapest, Balatoni út 143.
Sometimes, you just gotta break out from the culinary cage of downtown Pest and make a voyage to some faraway land, in hopes of giving your taste buds something they will remember – like Tűzhely Café & Restaurant-far, found in the southern outskirt of Buda. This roadside venue is specialized in giving a new spin to traditional dishes, serving right-sized meals, and offering them at an inexpensive price. The menu includes favourites such as goulash soup, truffle risotto, beef balls with red onion chutney and Somló-style sponge cake.
Beer Brothers Budapest
1052 Budapest, Kossuth Lajos út 20.
Beer Brothers Budapest awaits ale aficionados only with the finest selection of artisanal brews, including an ever-changing set of 12 beers on tap, and more than a hundred typet of bottled beverages. If you can’t pick what Hungarian craft beer to try, just ask the knowledgeable staff and they’ll be more than happy to hit you up with all the information needed to make the wisest decision. Moreover, if you’re feeling famished, the Beer Brothers are eager to help you on that front as well: burgers, goulash, and other beer snacks ensure the flavorful alcohol absorption.
UrbanFood Cafe & Coworking
1013 Budapest, Attila út 27.
Are you working from home and have recently started notice the first signs of madness? Sometimes, an inspiring environment (and an unlimited amount of free coffee) is all you need to once again enjoy the benefits of not having to spend 8 hours at an office. Lucky for you, UrbanFood has both – and some more! Situated in the heart of Buda, this stylish co-working space is also a café, serving delicious pick-me-ups as well as sandwiches and cakes, complete with a well-equipped meeting room, broadband wi-fi, and spacious and comfortable interiors.
Chess Restaurant
1074 Budapest, Dob utca 63.
Undoubtedly the most elegant restaurant of downtown Dob utca, Chess Restaurant is a gorgeously designed fine bistro that regularly hosts jazz nights and wine dinners, besides serving mouth-watering international dishes (much praise to the chef Richard Honig), made from only of the highest quality ingredients. The menu includes items like grilled Manouri cheese with peach, mixed salad and peach vinaigrette, creamy pea soup made from julienne sugar peas and duck rilette, steaks, pan-fried seabass and classics such as Hungarian chicken paprikash. Oh, and they even have a chess board!