If I say orange lanterns, you say? Oh, come on. Okay, I’ll give you a teeny-tiny hint: open-air. Yes, it’s true that the city has been flooded by them recently. Then here’s a little more help: it’s bang in the city center but still tucked into a green and chilled-out oasis (read: Margaret Island). Rings a bell?
If you’re still thinking hard, read on. The building of the old casino on lush Margaret Island sees a regular crowd just like it used to a century ago. Only that the spot is now taken over by Holdudvar (aye, mystery solved), a particularly well-known cult hotspot and party haven of the Magyar capital.
During the sunny hours, head there to sip fresh lemonade while dog-walking, show your talent either at their arts and crafts workshops or on the pétanque field or leave your office behind and take your to-do list to one of the tables outside flanked by the mentioned signature lanterns above – there’s WIFI available. After you switched off your laptop, treat yourself to a glass of vino from Holdudvar’s wide wine selection.
Hungry for romance? Don’t let the Margit híd construction kill your romantic stroll, the bridge is still open for pedestrians (if you’ve got a bike with you, just get off it and push until you reach the island) and it takes only three minutes to get to the entrance of the island, anyway. The place makes a good dining spot with its first-class kitchen. And the best thing is that you don’t need to worry even if you arrive after the restaurant’s closed, their night grill will still be open. For some hand-in-hand cultural experience after dinner, walk along Holdudvar’s art gallery displaying various contemporary collections.
When the sun sets, Holdudvar transforms into a party hub with an indoor lounge – in case it starts to rain. But even if you’ve already donned your football fan gear instead of your sexy night-out wear, there’s no need to worry, the place has huge screens set up for watching and cheering the World Cup during the weeks of football frenzy (advance booking is recommended).
Oh, and have we mentioned FUNZINE film clubs are held there in the summer, too? Next up, it’s Up in The Air on July 14th. Screenings are in English with Hungarian subtitles.
If you wanna be right where Budapest’s heart beats, just follow the dim light of the orange lanterns…
Holdudvar is completely wheel-chair friendly.
Holdudvar – Restaurant. Bar. Garden. Gallery. Cinema.
1030 Budapest, Margaret Island
Tel.: +36.1.236.0155