Charming places in Budapest for International Coffee Day
International Coffee Day is just around the corner! Although, let’s be honest, a lot of us celebrate our love for coffee almost every morning. It’s one of the most loved drinks in the world. Here are some places in Budapest you might haven’t heard of, to celebrate 1 October with a nice cup of coffee.
History of coffee
The legend says it all started with a goat herder in Ethiopia who saw the berries’ effects on his goats, then showed it to a local monastery. But to Hungary, it was brought by the Turkish. Starting from the 16th century, it was initially called “black water” or “black soup”.
The first coffee brewer in Pest could have been Cavesieder Blasius (Balázs Coffeebrewer). Originally, he may have been a “traveling coffee vendor” who sold his coffee on the street from a tray hanging around his neck, until he had enough money to open a permanent shop, according to indeedcoffee.hu. In the 18-20th century, coffeehouses became the place of social life, political and artistic conversations. Young people gathered, wrote poems here or planned a revolution for freedom.
- Read also: Old but gold – Hungary’s oldest confectioneries are waiting for you with the most delicious desserts
International Coffee Day
Since 2015, it is celebrated on 1 October. It started as “celebration of the coffee sector’s diversity, quality and passion”, and this year has an important message. The International Coffee Organisation focuses on moving the coffee sector from a linear to a circular economy. The non-profit organization has rolled out a marketing and fundraising campaign urging everyone connected to the supply chain to support economic prosperity and environmental protection in the industry.
Budapest’s cafés
Here are some places to get a coffee in Budapest, that you might not have heard of.
FlowerPower Café
Opened in 2017 near Déli Railway Station, this café’s aim is to make “Beauty, Peace, and Harmony a part of our lives”. They mix the flowers’ calming and charming smell and colours with the invigorating coffee. Those who sit in can enjoy a coffee sitting among large baskets and buckets full of flowers, colourful flower arrangements. They also pay attention to everyone’s needs, offering vegan options too.
Pompeii Latte Art Café
A real hidden treasure close to Boráros Square. The little room (it only has 3 tables) makes a cosy little escape from the noise of the streets. Their baristas know everything about making coffee and are always happy to help you choose something that fits your taste. It’s a perfect place if you want to try coffees of different origin or roasting.
Massolit Books & Café
This coffee shop is every bookworm’s dream come true. The place is filled with books from the floor to the ceiling, and although it’s not big, its multiple rooms always feel cosy rather than crowded. Either sitting in for a few hours to work in the atmosphere of an antique bookstore, or to curl up on a chair with a good story and a pastry, Massolit is a perfect choice. If you are lucky, you can catch a reading event (both Hungarian and English).
CatCafé
Lastly, even though this is a more well-known café, it has a good reason for it. If you are a cat person, this café will have a special place in your heart. It has a perfect calm ambience with the most comfortable couches. And of course, a bunch of fluffy maine coons and playful ex-strays to keep you company.
- Read also: 7 Top Breakfast Venues in Budapest
Source: indeedcoffee.hu, International Coffee Organisation
1 Comment
I love all the coffee places here, but it is very different in the US. Seems like hobby to many of these places. Many don’t open before 7. The biggest drink by far is fresh brewed coffee with a great roast that sets it off and a dark or medium roast. Americano is a joke. I like it black but they have a condiment bar that has 4 or 5 milks and sweeteners that you add yourself. Needs constant maintenance with keeping containers full and area clean. Always have decaf coffee ready
Before the 70s every food place served coffee around 35cents and as many refills as you like- many with better coffee today- just the smell of roasted coffee is wonderful- rarely experienced it here. Even many bakery’s don’t seem to have great smell, especially food markets. Starbucks Coffee for one cup was 50then a dollar and 150. They only sold coffee and beans and you could take out brewed in a paper cup – the brewed a different roast every day. The original store is still there. Howard Shultz did the marketing. He left and started his own place was very successful and a much more hip place. Wasn’t long that he bought Starbucks from the 2 young couples who started it.
He made it what it is today. One of my first jobs was doing hand lettering for various coffee beans that was main business. They picked up the biz from Peets coffee in Berkeley – SF. Last time I was in Portland it was like a religion with a explosion of places many very young people. Portland was a very sophisticated place especially for such a small city.- as much as SF and more than Seattle, but that was then- I think they are now all nut cases – let that be a warning.