Good Bars and Cafes in District V (Budapest)

Europa Kavehaz

The Europa now occupies the premises used until only recently by a wonderful old cukraszda (café and coffee shop) called Sziget. Although this new coffee house tries its best, it has a hard time recreating the atmosphere of the old place. This coffee house is so bright even poseurs would be excused for wearing shades indoors. It has a slippery marble floor that is continually being swept by young girls. The place is done out in brown wood and olive green recalling a Viennese konditorei. There is also a balcony high above where men in suits sit and from where you can hear Hungarian pop singers wail loudly over the stereo. Many pensioners still sit around occupying their ex-local, with only a glass of water on the table in front of them. On their pension, they can make it last an hour.

Alma Mater Étterem

Budapest has a college of Commerce, Hospitality and Tourism situated near the Parliament building. Alma Mater restaurant is adjacent to the college. The Alma Mater comprises a lunch time canteen, a cellar bar and a more upscale restaurant. The canteen is clean and basic with a self-service area and a cluster of white tables and chairs. The cellar bar is colorful and comfortable while the restaurant is more heavy on the furnishings. The menu features interesting dishes conceived by the catering students who are obviously trying out their ideas. One of the more unusual dishes is the cured sliced venison, smoked salmon and Camembert. For your main course try the veal soaked in calvados or the Thai chicken. There are also plenty of sinful puddings and a good selection of local wines.

Sakáltanya Club & Restaurant

Hungarians have a craze for all things Latin American; the music, the food and the joie de vivre. Sakáltanya Club & Restaurant is the latest restaurant to jump on the band wagon, providing live music and exotic dishes. In the steamy cellar bar the atmosphere can get very hot and sticky. The murals and terracotta colours make Sakáltanya Club & Restaurant seem like a little corner of Peru. The menu contains a lot of meat dishes; written in Hungarian and Spanish only. Steaks and fish are cooked in tempting spicy sauces and served with salads. There is a gigantic range of cocktails available.

Jegbufe

A perfect example of Communist era buffets, this shop is a great place for a quick breakfast and people-watching. You can have a decent cappuccino or tea with pastry or cakes. The ice cream is pretty good too. Pay first and then collect your food at the counter.

Becsi sorozo

This beer hall is hidden away in a back street opposite the law department building of Budapest University. The carved rustic-style booths are comfortable and you'll always be sure of a seat as this place never gets full. The interior resembles a traditional, modest Hungarian pub with polished pine wood booths and red checked tablecloths. A dozen red lobster pots dangle from the ceiling. It appears to be a local meeting place for Ferencvaros football fans as there is a poster of the team behind the bar, nestling amongst more football pennants and flags. Huge team crests decorate the space between the top of the bar and the ceiling and there are plastic potted plants everywhere. There are more barmen than customers so the service is swift.

Gerbeaud

This landmark Budapest café is a must see. The interior is gorgeous, done up in turn of the twentieth century Austro Hungarian opulence. Among other decorative items is the piano that was intended for use on board the Titanic (it failed to make it onboard on time). Enjoy the wide variety of beautiful cakes and pastries at hand. They also make their own chocolate, available in simple bars. The coffee is good. Since Gerbeaud is so popular it is a good idea to ask for your bill at the same time as placing your order.

chapterOne

chapterOne has been a long time coming. One of its main owners, Richard Robinson-Horley, is a well-known Budapest ex-pat. For many years, he has been talking about his dream of opening a classy, chic and comfortable restaurant. Well, dreams do come true, and with the help of his business partner Maria Imeli who keeps things humming along smoothly, chapterOne is exactly what he always described: chic and contemporary, yet relaxed and comfortable. It is the type of place where you could happily spend an hour, a whole afternoon or an evening. The décor is reminiscent of California or L.A. chic. The simple lines and casual tableware give definition to the minimalist style. Elements of retro décor can also be found here and there. One of the best things about the restaurant is that the bar is excellent in its own right. The food is an great mix of contemporary classics and originals. The crunchy rice noodle salad (with spicy sesame oil and peanuts) is a show-stopp er; simply wonderful. The steaks are also excellent and their pasta dishes (such as giant shells filled with spinach and a creamy mushroom sauce) are both beautiful to look at and delicious.

Catedral Café

Catedral Café is located on one of the bridges across the Danube in the downtown area. Apart from a cafe, it is also a live music venue and restaurant where you can enjoy some basic Hungarian fare. Shows usually begin by about 7p.

Zsolnay Café

If you're a lover of chocolates and coffee, and don't stop by at Zsolnay café, you'll surely live to regret it. Located in Taverna hotel, this place will spoil you to bits. It offers over 100 types of cakes and 12 coffee varieties. Most popular though is the cafe's Plum Tart. What's more, the service as well as the music at this elegant coffeehouse are great. It's the perfect place to grab a cuppa with friends or even for a peaceful evening alone. In the summer, sit on the terrace and watch the bustling city pass by.

Home

Home is actually home to all who love to party and dance the blues away. It's one of the most happening clubs in Budapest, where the fun never stops. Bringing you the best in international music, this club has two dance rooms which are done in a sci-fi style. Friendly staff and big bar counters could force you to hang out here all night.

Café Miro

This café is much like cafes around the world, in the sense that it has become a meeting place for both locals as well as tourists. Some of the décor is based on Joan Miros' paintings and the furniture is upbeat, futuristic and made from metal. The menu lists desserts, drinks, pastas and salads and introduces nothing over the top or that interesting. But if you're looking for a place with a great ambience (this cafe sometimes hosts live music acts), then this is where you'll find it. Plus, you get a view of Trinity Square and Matyas Templo through the huge glass windows.

Tom George Restaurant and Cafe

The menu of this joint features an interesting mix of local cuisine, sushi and Indian dishes. As a result, it is one of the few city eateries that are equally popular amongst both tourists and locals. The interiors are spacious and the decor is inspired by the 1960s. The eatery has live music, kids meals, a weekly menu, vegetarian delicacies, access for disabled patrons, and parking nearby. This place is known to be a celeb hangout, so keep your eyes open, who knows you might just spot another celeb beside you!