Budapest is home to countless cafés and bars with elaborate menus and sophisticated décor, all fighting to grab your attention over the other ten places surrounding them. Café culture is a huge part of what makes Budapest so enjoyable, but when it comes to finding a truly comfortable local spot to have a good meal or a drink without the „see and be seen” element, Chili Bar represents a rare commodity. Located in the up-and-coming ninth district, Chili Bar occupies a small, unpretentious space just down Tompa utca from the Mester utca 4-6 tram stop. As you approach you’ll notice several outdoor tables, allowing diners to get a sense of the constantly changing Ferencváros neighborhood. Look for the bright red Chili Bar sign and you’ll know when you’re there.
The unassuming storefront is a wall of windows, creating a naturally light interior as you enter. Once inside, the warm orange tones and dark wood features create a comfortable atmosphere that makes you feel instantly at ease and sets off the current exhibition of beautiful large-scale black and white photographs that adorn the walls. The relaxed café atmosphere that is usually overpowered by the „ego-factor” in Budapest’s better-known hot spots is prominent here. If you venture past the wooden tables and up the stairs, there is a loft with couches and a small table that makes a great place for an evening drink with friends.
Ideal for a lunch or a light dinner with drinks, the menu offers a choice selection of sandwiches, salads, soups and quesadillas. Served with fresh salad and quality ingredients, the dishes are healthy and delicious. Among the choices are several vegetarian options as well.
Starting with the tortilla chips and salsa, my colleague and I were pleasantly surprised to find „real” homemade tortilla chips and tasty, zesty salsa, also made on the premises. These chips are addictive! They would be perfect with a few cold brews after a long day in the office. Luckily, Chili Bar serves „real” Budweiser – the one from the Czech Republic, not the beer-flavored water sold in the US. This being only our lunch break, we tried the delicious tropical lemonade with the chips, which was cool and refreshing, and not made from a mix – perfect for a summer’s day.
For our main courses, I chose the grilled ewe’s cheese over salad, while my colleague opted for a tuna sandwich with pesto spread. Arriving quickly, the grilled cheese was uncomplicated and a welcome change from the usual fried cheese. The tuna sandwich came on thick, seedy brown bread, with a heaping serving of tuna and vegetables between the slices, and a complementary side salad.
Having enjoyed these choices we decided we could not possibly pass up the temptation of dessert, as the offers were tiramisu and cognac chocolate mousse. Both were sinfully delightful. The tiramisu was the most beautifully-designed item on the menu and came with a fresh strawberry sauce to accent the fluffy rum-tinged puffs. The chocolate mousse arrived in a margarita glass. Needless to say, they disappeared quickly, but the memory of them did not!
All in all, we rather enjoyed our meals and the experience was a welcome break from the fast pace of a working day. The smiling, friendly staff added to the great atmosphere. If you find yourself downtown in the ninth district, be sure to stop by Chili Bar.
Starter
Tortilla Chips & Salsa
Mains
Grilled Ewe’s Cheese on Salad
Tuna Sandwich with Pesto Spread
Dessert
Tiramisu
Cognac Chocolate Cream
Open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to midnight and weekends from noon to midnight.
1094 Budapest, Tompa u. 7.
Tel: +36.1.216.1637
www.chilibar.hu