New statement issued on the on-site baking ban in Budapest underpasses

From 1st January 2025, vendors in Budapest underpasses are no longer allowed to cook on-site due to various concerns. Authorities cite grease buildup, drainage blockages, and ventilation issues as key reasons. While rental fees remain unchanged, the ban raises questions about the future of vacant kiosks in these underground spaces.

Hot food to be banned in Budapest underpasses

Earlier this week, we reported that the Budapest Mayor’s Office has announced a ban on hot food preparation in the city’s underground passages, citing infrastructure limitations. From 1st January 2025, vendors in Budapest underpasses will no longer be permitted to cook on-site, meaning commuters and residents will lose access to hot sandwiches, gyros, and other freshly prepared meals. Authorities pointed to issues such as odours, grease accumulation in ventilation systems, and clogged drainage as key reasons for the decision. Despite this restriction, rental fees for kiosks will remain unchanged. The future of vacant shops in these areas remains uncertain, raising concerns about how the city plans to revitalise these spaces.

Details revealed

As Pénzcentrum writes, Budapest authorities have reaffirmed their decision to ban on-site baking and cooking in the city’s underground passages, citing infrastructure concerns. Vendors in Budapest underpasses were warned last year about the impending changes, with lease renewals now determining which businesses can continue operating. Officials emphasised that many kiosks lack the proper utility provisions to handle grease, oil, and food waste without compromising public cleanliness and drainage systems. Assessments will consider each underpass’s design, ensuring compliance with the new regulations. While some vendors may be permitted to continue trading under specific conditions, the overall availability of freshly prepared food in these spaces will significantly decline.

The reasons behind the situation

The ban on on-site cooking in Budapest underpasses stems from ageing infrastructure unable to support modern food preparation demands. Originally built between the 1960s and 1980s to facilitate pedestrian movement, these underpasses were only designed for minimal commercial activity, with limited utility connections. In the 1980s, small kiosks selling non-food items appeared, lacking proper water, electricity, and sewage facilities. As food sales grew, these makeshift pavilions were retrofitted with utility connections, leading to increased strain on outdated networks. The rising use of energy-intensive equipment and improper waste disposal has now forced authorities to impose stricter regulations to preserve public cleanliness and infrastructure integrity.

The problems with baking and cooking on-site

The ban on frying and on-site cooking in Budapest underpasses is largely due to serious environmental, sanitation, and operational challenges. Grease and used oil entering drainage systems, originally designed only for rainwater, have caused frequent blockages, despite regulations requiring vendors to use grease traps. Ageing electrical networks, built 50–60 years ago, cannot support modern cooking equipment, while inadequate ventilation leads to grease buildup, increased fire risks, and unpleasant odours affecting surrounding buildings. Many pavilions lack proper ventilation ducts, causing air pollution inside the underpasses. With growing public complaints, Budapest authorities now permit on-site cooking only where vendors can prove compliance with strict sanitation and infrastructure requirements.

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