^

Home > Budapest Travel Blog > The Once Great Hungarian Coffee House Culture

The Once Great Hungarian Coffee House Culture

A perfect charm of Budapest is the set of small cafés scattered around the city. Once a true coffee capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the city still has many interesting and contemporary places for you to discover on a Budapest sightseeing adventure. Let’s see the heyday of Budapest coffee house culture!

A prime example of an excellent coffee house is the former Abbazia on Oktogon square. Unfortunately, the establishment is not there anymore, just the building that used to house it, but it was a center of cultural life in the city. Opened in 1888, the leading architects, opera singers, composers, writers and politicians frequented the place. At the turn of the century, it was the most lavishly decorated and largest such establishment in the city. It survived World War 2, but it was transformed into a nationalized restaurant in 1949 and lost its charm in the process.

Another iconic coffee house is the New York palace, which can be visited today. The enormous palace was the prime meeting point for the Nyugat (West) literary circle, one of the most influential intellectual movements in Hungarian history. The exquisite details can be seen today as it still functions as a coffee house. Several travel guides chose it to be one of the most beautiful coffee houses in the world.

Inner Pest boasts of the Central Coffee House, which is located close to Ferenciek tere. Originating form 1887, the building saw a lot of history and was the venue for many important discussions and historical meetings. Once frequented by students, professors and leading intellectuals, it is now a luxurious place for the more well-off sort. Brunches and dinners are the big deal here, so try to booking a table if you wish to try it. Of course, having a simple coffee here is an affordable experience for all, so it really worths a visit for a Budapest sightseeing tour.

If you want to get to these wondrous coffee houses, simply choose hop on hop off Budapest to arrive in comfort. Make the most of your visit by booking your trip online with us and get the best deals out there!

back

Check out our other services too!

Hop On Hop Off

  • Red route
  • 21 stops at the major sights
  • Audio Guide on 16 languages
  • Free Boat ride of Danube
  • Free walking tour

Online price: from 36 €

Castle Bus

  • Explore the Buda Castle District
  • Eco-friendly buses
  • 5 stops throughout the Castle District
  • Departs in every 10 minutes
  • More discounts

Online price: from 14 €

Budapest card

  • Free entrance to baths
  • Free entrance to museums
  • Free public transport
  • Free walking tours
  • Great discounts

Online price: from 33 €

Check out our other services too!

Hop On Hop Off

  • Red route
  • 21 stops at the major sights
  • Audio Guide on 16 languages
  • Free Boat ride of Danube
  • Free walking tour

Online price: from 36 €

Castle Bus

  • Explore the Buda Castle District
  • Eco-friendly buses
from 14 €

Budapest card

  • Free entrance to baths
  • Free entrance to museums
from 33 €

See more on our blog

Top 10 things to do in Budapest beyond the touristic places

You surely want to see all the must see places in the city. But trust us when we say that you also want to go beyond: here’s the list of the top 10 things to do in Budapest beyond the ordinary.

The best places to see in Budapest during summer

Dive into the unique summer vibes of the Hungarian capital. Join our sightseeing tour and get to know all the places to see in Budapest during the summer!

Budapest rainy day activities? Sightseeing regardless the weather

There are many things to consider when you’re planning a holiday. You may be prepared for quite everything, but you can’t do anything about the weather. So where to go in bad weather, what are the best Budapest rainy day activities?

Christmas Markets In Budapest

Winter markets are a big events that begin in November and are known for their long history and widespread popularity. The markets are an essential component of the Christmas celebrations in Budapest.

See more on our blog

Top 10 things to do in Budapest beyond the touristic places

The best places to see in Budapest during summer

Budapest rainy day activities? Sightseeing regardless the weather

Christmas Markets In Budapest

1. Choose among the ticket types!

Adult

14 €
- +

Student/children

8 €
- +

0-5 years: free

2. Choose a date!

Total:

0 €

Buy your ticket!

This website uses cookies

We use cookies to analyse our traffic and improve user experience. We also share information about your use of our site with our advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. To continue using this website, please accept our use of cookies below. Learn more about our Policy