Back on tour
Anyone who follows me on Instagram knows I’ve been in Budapest almost exactly a year ago. It was time again in early October. And this time it was not about Hungarian coffee history or typical Hungarian coffee specialties. I have sipped across the city and take you now on my coffee tour through Budapest.
One can say, the city is overflowing with good coffee and people who love good coffee. The Choice is big – from coffee houses to third-wave coffee shops. So let’s go!
View this post on Instagram
Fekete
My first stop: out of the airport into the taxi and on to breakfast in Fekete. The coffee shop is named after the Hungarian coffee specialty Fekete – a small black Hungarian coffee. On the menu, however, there are the Third Wave classics Espresso, Cappuccino, Flat White, Batch and Hand Brew. The coffee shop is located in a small cute courtyard. So perfect for sitting outside.
View this post on Instagram
Budapest Baristas
So inviting, I had to go there twice: a very cozy shop, in which a lot is going on, but the barista take time to advise. You can even watch them pouring latte art from the first floor. The first time I had an espresso macchiato, the second time a chai cafe latte with rice milk including latte art tulip. Both just delicious! You definitely have to drop by.
View this post on Instagram
Tamp & Pull
A bit hidden behind the large market hall on the Danube you will find one of the two Tamp & Pull coffee shops. The small bright shop is not overcrowded and you get your coffee quickly. While you enjoy it, there is a lot to discover, like the disassembled espresso machine on the wall. The sun is shining and I treat myself with the summer trend beverage Espresso Tonic with a slice of carrot cake. Gorgeous!
View this post on Instagram
Madál
This Espresso & Brew Bar is an institution in Budapest and has 3 locations. I was in the Madál near Astoria and near the Parliament. Both have a clean interior in Third Wave style but still warm with lots of wood. The barista understands their craft. Last year I drank my first Aeropress coffee here and was thrilled. This year, breakfast was served with an oatmilk Cortado and bagel served on a wooden board with the Madál Slogan – Good Coffee Good Karma. I love such details!
View this post on Instagram
Kávétársaság
And once again there was an unplanned café, which turned out to be a real pearl. On the way to the Espresso Embassy, this huge shop appears, with a long bar including a brew bar, a small tea and coffee shop and several tables. Great, that there is still the summer coffee menu, because I must try this beverage: iced Cold Drip Batavia Dutch Coffee with ginger ale – on top of it a slice of orange. I’m a fan! In the shopping area, there is an incredibly large selection of different types of tea and coffee, as well as accessories. Coffee machines are in the lower level.
Espresso Embassy
In short: excellent barista, the shop is hip, full and cozy. You come in and are almost directly at the coffee counter. The trophies are stacked on the shelf on the left, as in 2016 the Hungarian Latte Art, Brewers Cup and Cup Tasters were ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively. If you want to buy coffee beans, you will get Single Origins from Casino Mocca Coffee Roasters here. The café itself is, thanks to the deep exposed vaulted ceilings, very cozy yet very modern. So lets get another caffeine kick! I take a piece of pecan pie and an espresso with Guatemalan coffee. The espresso is a bit acidic to me. But it’s great quality anyway.
View this post on Instagram
Kontakt Coffee
The only coffee shop in Budapest, where you won’t get sugar. Reminded me on old times of The Barn. Even though I’m not a fan of such elite rules as a paying customer, I have to admit that the coffee tastes perfect without sugar. And my Kenyan nitro coffee does not need sugar anyway. Although very central, the coffee shop is a bit hidden in a passage between 2 houses – but so much worth the visit. The coffee comes from an English roaster.
View this post on Instagram
My Little Melbourne
2 in 1 – My Little Melbourne Coffee and Brew Bar are located side by side on a quiet corner near the synagogue. Last year, only the coffee shop was open – this year the Brew Bar. So I could actually try both. There is a great selection of biscuits and delicious coffee. So I try Mocha, Flat White and the in-house Cold Brew. If you need a short break to switch off, this is the place for you.
View this post on Instagram
London Coffee Society
One year ago in this small café I had a relaxed coffee in the afternoon. The barista was super friendly and again I had a mocha. Compared to the mocha at My Little Melbourne, this one was less sweet with less cocoa and was served with a perfectly poured latte art swan. Of course, if you like, you will also get a typical British breakfast with baked beans for coffee.
View this post on Instagram
Blue Bird Roastery
Just around the corner from the Dohany Street Synagogue, a few steps away from my Airbnb apartment, I found this cute coffee rostery. If you stand in front of it, you can not miss it thanks to the bright turquoise paint. Inside it is small and cozy and you can choose your coffee beans with friendly advice to take home or enjoy on the spot as espresso, cappuccino, flat white or Aeropress.
View this post on Instagram
Café New York
In 1896, the doors were opened here for the first time and it looks like the interior has not changed since the Wilhelminian era. I got a table with a perfect view. Of course, I order a classic Hungarian coffee – Magyar kávé and a strudel selection. The coffee with honey and a shot tastes good – the strudel looks only good. But hey – you can tolerate that for the ambiance.
View this post on Instagram
Café Central
My last stop rounds off the coffee tour and I definitely have to come back! The Centrál Kávéház has been around since 1887. There is live music, artful delicious tartlets, Hungarian coffee specialities up to cappuccino with latte art. Last year I tried the Hungarian mélange with dobos cake – this year I had a Centrál Kávé – an espresso with a shot and a separate portion of cream. If you fancy delicious cakes and stylish ambience, this is the place for you right in the center.