One of Budapest’s oldest cafés to reopen: Historic 150-year-old venue returns after 2020 closure
Budapest’s Múzeum Café, located at the corner of Bródy Sándor Street and Múzeum Boulevard in the city centre, is set to reopen in spring 2026. The iconic café will be leased for 15 years by CNTRL Ltd., part of the Eventrend Group, which operates several prestigious hospitality venues in Budapest. The company’s portfolio includes the Gundel Restaurant and Café, Centrál Café, and the New York Café, ensuring that experience will not be lacking at the revived location.
A 150-year history
The café’s origins date back to 1876 when it first opened as Schodl Café. Within a few years, it became known as Múzeum Café, named after the nearby Hungarian National Museum, according to ÉnBudapestem. The café quickly became a central hub of Budapest’s cultural life, hosting literary evenings, press events, public gatherings, chess tournaments, and political demonstrations. Over the decades, many famous Hungarian writers and poets, including Gyula Krúdy, Attila József, Zsigmond Móricz, and Gyula Illyés, were regular patrons.
Closure in 2020
Throughout its 150-year history, Múzeum Café changed ownership several times, and the COVID-19 pandemic forced its closure in 2020. According to Józsefváros Újság, the long-vacant building was put up for lease by the Józsefváros Municipality in February 2025. The tender specified that the space should operate solely as a hospitality venue (whether as a restaurant, café, or patisserie) and that the café’s historic atmosphere should be preserved.
Keys handed to new operator
The new tenant, CNTRL Ltd., submitted a detailed business plan covering energy sustainability, building modernisation, and public-interest contributions to the district. The Financial and Ownership Committee evaluated the applications using a points system, with CNTRL Ltd. scoring highest. The company received the keys during the summer, and renovation works are expected to begin shortly.
Modernisation while preserving heritage
The building requires significant energy upgrades: the original single-glass windows and high ceilings previously made winter heating and summer cooling costly. Renovations will modernise the building services while preserving its heritage features, including original Károly Lotz frescoes, Emil Fischer wall tiles, and Zsolnay ceramics, which will remain visible to visitors.
Public-interest programmes planned
CNTRL Ltd. also plans initiatives with public benefit in mind. The café will host disadvantaged groups several times a year and organise free programmes for high school and university students, introducing younger generations to the Múzeum Café’s 150-year history and cultural significance.
Reopening expected next spring
The café is expected to reopen in the second half of spring 2026, allowing visitors to enjoy coffee on the terrace during the summer. With its reopening, both locals and tourists will once again be able to experience Budapest’s historic café culture. The café will feature a new menu, refurbished interior, and cultural programmes for visitors to enjoy.