Hungary’s best pastry shop is back in Budapest’s city centre
After winning the title of the country’s best pastry shop for three consecutive years, the famous pastry shop continues its journey in the heart of the capital.
Málna opened its first shop in Óbuda in 2018 and quickly became one of Hungary’s most acclaimed patisseries. It was awarded the Dining Guide’s “Pastry Shop of the Year” title for three consecutive years. The Bécsi Road location closed on 7 September 2025, but not for good — the patisserie is soon to reopen at a new location, right in the city centre.
Málna moves from Óbuda to Downtown
For seven years, Málna The Pastry Shop operated on Bécsi Road, where each dessert appeared behind the counter as a tiny, carefully composed work of art. In early September, owners Zoltán Kolonics and Ágnes Varga announced the closure of their Óbuda shop — the displays emptied, and the familiar venue stood vacant. Shortly after, however, a reopening was revealed via their social media.
From mid-October, Málna will reopen at 17 Hercegprímás Street, right in the city’s bustling core. The new location brings the patisserie closer to the vibrant city centre, making it more accessible not only for regulars but also for international tourists.
Where artistic vision meets professional discipline
Led by Zoltán Kolonics and Ágnes Varga, the patisserie has become known for blending French dessert-making techniques with inventive takes on Hungarian classics. Each recipe reflects professional experience, a spirit of experimentation, and meticulous precision. Varga originally came from an entirely different background — her career as a ballet dancer instilled the discipline and sensitivity she now channels into their desserts.
When sourcing ingredients, they have never compromised on quality: Belgian and French chocolates, Piedmont hazelnuts, Bronte pistachios, Madagascan vanilla, and fresh, genuine fruit purées form the essential components of their creations. These premium ingredients come at a high cost, but the owners have remained committed from the start to the idea that lasting impact can only be made this way.
Expansive range and seasonal treats
Traditional favourites like Rákóczi túrós, Eszterházy torte and Lúdláb could also return in a more elegant and lighter form, while exotic combinations — yuzu, passion fruit, raspberry — bring a burst of colour to the dessert selection. In 2024, a Somlói dessert introduced at the Michelin gala quickly became a crowd favourite. Málna also delights customers with seasonal specials: a pumpkin and Halloween treat in autumn, and for Christmas, offerings such as bejgli, fruitcake, and festive Buche de Noel cakes.
Their years in Óbuda proved why Málna holds a distinguished place among Hungarian patisseries. It’s at once a gastronomic studio, a community space, and a source of inspiration for the industry. Now, with its reopening in the city centre, an even broader audience can discover the philosophy that views dessert not merely as a sweet treat, but as an experience.
Discover more about Hungarian gastronomy
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