5+1 literature themed cafés to try in Budapest
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Psmagazin.hu believes that it might seem like books have vanished from our lives nowadays, and that people are not able to take in content beyond superquick browsing anymore. But the resistance is quite strong in Budapest with places where you can sacrifice at the altar of literature with caffeine or a rosé spritzer (fröccs).
Magvető Café
The Magvető Publisher opened its café at Dohány Street 13, the place of the onetime alternative theatre, Hátsó Kapu. With the lead of popular contemporary writer Krisztián Nyári, Magvető Café is the home of book premieres and lectures. It’s a curiosity that any writer and poet, who is part of a literary organisation, is able to pay with a poem or a short prose for one coffee a day. The manuscripts received this way will be sold at an auction once every year with charity purposes. The creation of the inner space is reminiscent of Katona József Theatre’s hall. It is simple and clear-out, and looks more like a creative workshop than an elegant salon. It’s also perfect for spotting writers and poets 🙂
Photo: www.facebook.com/MagvetőCafé
Gdansk
It is the citadel of Polish literature, art and gastronomy on the Buda side of the city. Besides the old and new Polish books and newspapers, you can also ask for delicious coffee, marinated herring, pirozhki, beetroot soup and other specialities. Their bilingual Facebook page and retro photo collection are genial.
Photo: www.facebook.com/Gdansk-BookstoreCafé
Hadik Café
The iconic café of the 20th century found in Buda was the gathering place of famous Hungarian writers like Karinthy, Kosztolányi and Déry. It was originally opened in 1911 and reconstructed a few years ago, so that it can now welcome guests with its full glory and a big terrace. The café is the home of jazz evenings and literature salons, and their Czech beers and literary cocktails are simply unbeatable.
