Travel back in time with Budapest’s classic coffee houses − PHOTOS

Coffee was first introduced to Hungary by the Turks in the 16th century, but coffee culture only started to develop in Budapest after the establishment of the Austro−Hungarian Monarchy in 1867. Between the 1910s and 1930s, approximately 500 coffee houses opened in the city, and they were favourable meeting places for writers and artists.

We have gathered six traditional cafés where history and art meet modernity.

Central Café and Restaurant

Centrál Café and Restaurant is one of the oldest coffee houses in Budapest. It was designed by Zsigmond Quittner, and it was opened in 1887 in the house of Lajos Erényi Ullmann. The café served as a centre for intellectual life in Pest between 1890 and 1945. Numerous outstanding writers and poets, such as Endre Ady, Árpád Tóth, Mihály Babits, Dezső Kosztolányi, Gyula Juhász, Gyula Krúdy, and Zsigmond Móricz, gathered here to edit literary journals, and it was an important meeting point for scientists, composers, and artists.

The writers and editors of the first Hungarian liberal and urban literary journal, A Hét (The Week), often gathered in Centrál Café. In 1908, Nyugat (West), the most significant Hungarian literary journal, was founded here. A few years after World War II, the coffee house was closed, but it was later reconstructed and became a canteen for university students.

“The 132-year-old Centrál Coffee House wishes to recreate the atmosphere of an era which everyone refers to as the golden age of Hungarian gastronomy. The traditions of these years are immortal and live on in the taste and flavour of our dishes up to this day.”

Gerbeaud Café and Confectionery

Gerbeaud Café can be considered one of the most prominent confectioneries and cafés in Europe. It was opened in 1858 by Henrik Kugler. Since Kugler had no successor to pass his confectionery onto, he invited the famous Swiss-born confectioner, Émile Gerbeaud, to Hungary, who inherited the restaurant. He expanded the café and developed it into one of Europe’s finest coffee houses. Besides introducing the cat’s tongue chocolate and the cognac cherry bonbon to the Hungarian market, Gerbeaud also invented one of the most well-known Hungarian desserts, the ‘zserbó’ (Gerbeaud cake).

In 1995, the Gerbeaud building was bought by Erwin Müller, a German businessman, and Gerbeaud Gasztronómia Ltd took over the management of Gerbeaud House in the spirit of tradition and innovation.

You can find the classic ‘zserbó’ recipe HERE.

Hadik Coffee House

Hadik Coffee House, one of the legendary grand cafés of the Hungarian capital, was first opened in 1911, and in the early 20th century, it became a centre of literary life. It can be seen as a less ornate and grandiose version of Central or New York Café. The coffee house was named after the nearby Hadik barracks. During World War II, the café was closed and was only reopened in 2010. Guests can choose from a variety of desserts, coffees, and a small selection of appetisers, soups, entrées, and menus.