Central Cafe

by Charlotte
(Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK)

This is just a simply brilliant place. I used to go there every day to write before I moved to England.

My favourite forever and gives me a heart ache to see the pictures of it. I miss it so much! And the cafe latte is the best ever!

Ruszwurm Cafe and Confectionery

by Anne Price
(Germany)

When I was in Budapest recently I went to Gerbeaud's and the Ruszwurm.

I must say I preferred the Ruszwurm even though it was smaller because having had a piece of Esterhazy cake in both establishments, the cake at Ruszwurm tasted better.

Another problem with Gerbeaud's which was not their fault, was that on both occasions we had to contend with a lot of noise, which made it difficult to hold a conversation at an outside table. One particularly irritating noise came from a busker playing a saxophone for the whole time we were there and that was dreadful. We were also unfortunate to have been served by a waitress at Gerbeaud's whose attitude left much to be desired.

We also went to the Barcardi Bar (in front of the Basilica) and spent a really nice and peaceful time under the shade of some trees. The coffee was good and the service, too.

On our next visit we will definitely go back to the Ruszwurm and the Barcardi Bar, but will not be frequenting Gerbeaud's again.

Mozart coffee house

by Morgan Ross Murchison
(Nagykovacsi,Pest,Hungary)

Dear Sir/Madam,
My name is Morgan Murchison,English & this cofee house is the best in the world OR was.Now it is closed & just before that the ladies who served no longer were wearing 18th century costume:-big shame because I love 18th century ostume & that was one of the reasons they got so many people.When will it re open AS IT WAS with ladies wearing 18th century costume.
The coffees were excellent & the serving ladies were beautiful.Why did it have to close?The background music should always be from the 1700s as this attracted many people.Please let it reopen soon as it was originally.PLEASE!!

Budapest Coffee House Reviews

by Almodozo
(Budapest)

Of the ones listed here, I prefer Ruszwurm for its Old World cosy charm and delicious cakes.

Lukacs and New York are exquisitely luxurious though.

Zsolnay is a bit of a disappointment, the feel of a lifeless hotel bar, pedestrian cakes and bored waiting staff.

Central is nice to lounge in, though it really is very much a creature of these times, I wouldnt say it has a great historic feeling.

Muvesz did have it; it genuinely did not seem to have changed in any way in fifty years. A time capsule into the early 20th century, with only a noisy air conditioner as mid-century addition. But unfortunately they closed last year for renovation and re-opened this summer in a very different style. It's more of a dimly lit posh bar now, looking more like it intends to attract the New Rich than the little old ladies who used to frequent it.

For a new-fangled version of the old coffeehouses that does work, check out the Szamos Marcipan Cukraszda in the Corinthia Royal hotel on Erzsebet Korut (accessible from the street too, with terrace). This is where the old ladies go now, mixed in with tourists, people on their way to or from one of the nearby theatres, and youngsters aiming to impress their date. Good coffeee, best cakes in town, and a classical sumptuous interior.

Hauer

by Claudia
(Berlin)

Two days ago, we wanted to have coffee in the hauer coffee hause. But it has closed down. What a shame!

Ruszwurm Buda Castle District

Absolutely the best coffee shop ever - try the coffee with cherry brandy and cream or, on a hot day, the ice cream, cream and coffee or chocolate ice cream - and the cakes!