TOP 5 Cafes & Coffee Shops in Budapest | Atmosphere + Quality

Overwhelmed by the long list of coffee shops in Budapest? I know I was! These 5 cafes quickly became my favorite. Each offers quality espresso, solid bites, and a friendly atmosphere.

Budapest is a city that really surprised me. I didn't expect to love it as much as I did. The more I visit, the more I appreciate this city and the direction it's headed.

Now competing with Paris for the title "City of Lights", Budapest has a lot to offer. Guess what, I think Budapest wins and prefer it to Paris by a long shot.

Budapest is affordable, safe, and has an outstanding hotel, restaurant, bar, AND coffee shop scene. This is a place where I could extend my stay and work remotely for weeks with the number of quality and enjoyable coffee shops.

This post lists the coffee shops in Budapest that I found myself returning to again and again. I've made sure to include locations throughout the city so that no matter where your itinerary takes you, you'll have an excellent option nearby.

If you’re a coffee addict like me, you will thoroughly appreciate the coffee scene here. These Budapest coffee shops check all the boxes and might even entice you to move to this delightful city with its affordability.

This map shows the top coffee shops and cafes in Budapest listed in this post. Click the icon in the very top left to see a list view of each pinned location. Click the top right button to enlarge the map. Click the star to save to your own Google Maps account. To access this map once saved (after clicking the star), open Google Maps (on your phone/computer/tablet), click the menu button, go to "your places", select "maps", and you will see this map listed.

• Blue - TOP 5 coffee shops in Budapest
• Purple - honorable mentions

1. Espresso Embassy

One of the best coffee shops in Budapest for atmosphere and ample space

Espresso Embassy is easily one of my favorite coffee shops in Budapest. It's guaranteed I will multiple times each time I'm in the city. Let's just say I would be a regular if I lived here.

This Budapest coffee shop has it all. The coffee and loose-leaf tea are high quality, the pastry selection is too good to pass up, and the atmosphere is the biggest selling point. Exposed brick vaulted ceilings and warm lighting give this cafe a cozy vibe. 

There are plenty of tables, chairs, benches, and counters, along with electric plugs and reliable WiFi…which makes this a popular place to work or study.

There's a continuous flow of patrons and the place is packed on the weekends with friends catching up and families enjoying a coffee and pastry break.

If you like background noise, Espresso Embassy will fit the bill. Those who prefer a quiet atmosphere should stick to weekdays or try one of the other coffee shops in Budapest mentioned below.

Go early if you want the full pastry selection. The pastries are delivered fresh each morning and sell out quickly. Especially the croissants. The pistachio croissant and chocolate pinwheel are exceptionally good. You really can’t go wrong with whatever you order.

2. Dorado Cafe

The best coffee shop in Budapest for a calm and cozy atmosphere

Dorado Cafe is another Budapest coffee shop I find myself consistently revisiting. Where Espresso Embassy is a nice option when you like background noise and a bustling atmosphere, Dorado Cafe has a chill and cozy vibe.

This is a great spot to work or study (outside of weekends). There's a large shared table along with a few smaller tables and chairs scattered throughout. WiFi and plugs are available for those with laptops.

Choose from loose-leaf tea, hot chocolate that isn’t too sweet, or a traditional espresso drink.  

Various baked goods and pastries are available including a delicious lemon poppyseed bread. Try a slice of Flódni, a traditional Hungarian pastry that layers poppyseed, plum jam, walnuts, and apple. 

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3. Mantra Specialty Coffee

One of the best coffee shops in Budapest for a neighborhood vibe

Mantra Specialty Coffee is located on a pretty street minutes from the hustle and bustle of the city center. 

As the name suggests, they take their coffee seriously. Any place that asks which espresso you would like in your latte or cappuccino wins in my book. Their pour-overs are especially good.

Most coffee shops in Budapest, and Eastern Europe for that matter, serve very strong, dark, and bitter espresso. Not so at Mantra. Their espresso was smooth and mild.

Mantra Specialty Coffee also serves quality Matcha, delicious hot chocolate, and scrumptious baked goods. I highly recommend the banana bread and croissant sandwiches.

WiFi is available as well as designated areas for laptop use.

Swing by the famous Central Market Hall after your coffee break. It's a quick 5-minute walk and well worth a wander.

4. Madal Cafe

One of the best coffee shops in Budapest for vegan bites

Madal Cafe was started in 2013 and has established quite a following with locals and tourists. Now offering three locations, this Budapest coffee shop is a solid choice for expertly crafted drinks and quality espresso. 

They feature their branded beans, which they roast every week at their micro roastery right in Budapest. 

Tea enthusiasts will want to make a beeline for Madal Cafe. Their selection of 15+ loose-leaf options is one of the most extensive I've come across in Budapest. Other non-coffee drinks include beetroot, chai, matcha, and turmeric lattes. The hot chocolate is also delicious.

Similar to Mantra, you'll have two options of beans for your espresso drinks.

You'll find a nice selection of pastries with both vegan and gluten-free options. Their vegan energy balls are the perfect bite-sized snack to go with your espresso.

All three cafes are located on the Pest side and within a five-minute walk from the river. Head to the cafe on Alkotmány if you’re looking for a coffee shop with some vegan menu items like pasta, wraps, and sandwiches. This is a convenient coffee break before or after your Parliament tour as it’s right down the street.

The Ferenciek cafe is my favorite location and also one of the most ideally located Budapest coffee shops. It’s next to two major metro stops. A one-minute walk from Ferenciek (line M3) and five minutes from Astoria (line M2). This is one of the best coffee shops in Budapest for a shopping break as it’s minutes away from the most popular pedestrian shopping street, Vaci.

Fortunately, Madal Cafe’s ideal location doesn’t mean steep prices. Prices are the same here as many coffee shops in Budapest. $3.60 for a flat white and $3.85 for loose-leaf tea.

The Ferenciek location makes good use of its space with a second-story balcony overlooking the main floor. Counter space wraps the entire balcony…ideal for laptop users. A few tables and chairs line the wall on the first floor, and if the weather is nice, there's seating outside.  

Head to Madal’s third coffee shop on Hollán if you’re planning to hop over to Margaret Island. This location is better for studying or working since it’s a tad outside the main tourist areas and therefore more relaxed.

5. Cause Cafe and Roastery

ONE OF THE BEST COFFEE SHOPS IN BUDAPEST FOR A PROPER MATCHA LATTE AND FLAT WHITE

CAUSE Cafe surprised me in the best way possible. Being located on a touristy, pedestrianized street, I was wary that this would be a subpar coffee shop. Not so!

Everything here is done with care. From the adorable earthenware mugs to the properly brewed and whisked matcha. The pastries are also delicious, especially the banana bread.

Whether you're craving the perfect flat white, pour over, iced latte, or matcha latte, this cute cafe won't disappoint. 

This Budapest coffee shop is small, so it's best for a quick break.

Honorable mention - 9Bar

THE BEST BUDAPEST COFFEE SHOP FOR LOW PRICES AND A LIGHT BREAKFAST

9Bar has a hipster vibe with exposed brick walls and eclectic decor like a tandem bike and Legos, making it a relaxed and welcoming spot.

If you’re looking for a cheap and delicious breakfast this Budapest coffee shop is for you! Grab a flat white for $2.75 or a V60/Chemex for $4. Sample the quiche of the day or a homemade sandwich for a mere $4.

Two people can easily have breakfast and coffee for under $20 at 9Bar. Everything Jake and I had was delicious, especially the quiche. 

Alternative milks are available, the WiFi is fast, and the service is friendly.

Honorable mention - Cafe Muse

One of the best cafes in Budapest for Instagrammable drinks and bites

If you're looking for inventive drinks that are as photogenic as they are delicious, head to Cafe Muse. This small, two-level cafe is adorable and is perfect for a quick coffee and meal.

It is popular, so I wouldn't recommend overstaying your welcome or whipping out your laptop.

Those with a sweet tooth will want to order one of the cakes and a hot chocolate. Choose from classic hot chocolate, pistachio, peanut butter, blackberry, and more. All complete with whipped cream and toasted marshmallows.

Menu items to note are the French toast, eggs benedict, and toasts with various toppings. 

Honorable mention - Cafe Frei

One of the best coffee shops in Budapest for variety and international offerings

Café Frei gets an honorable mention for its extensive and varied menu. Drinks are organized according to country. Try a Kyoto plum cream coffee, Costa Rica coconut macchiato, Spanish cinnamon cortado, Aztec chili espresso, or Swiss drinking chocolate (amazing).

There are even shakes and coffee-inspired cocktails to choose from. The menu will take at least ten minutes to go through. If unique combinations are your thing, you’ll love this place. If you prefer traditional, small-menu coffee shops…go with one of the five options above.

The place is usually busy and is better suited for a quick drink. It gets pretty crowded/noisy and lacks atmosphere.

If you want a fancy drink with multiple ingredients or a coffee-inspired cocktail, Café Frei makes for an interesting stop. 

In summary

I hope this list of the 5 BEST coffee shops in Budapest keeps you energized for sightseeing and wandering the city! These are the cafes I keep on a solid rotation. Each serve quality coffee and delicious bites in a friendly and warm atmosphere.

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TOP 5 Cafes & Coffee Shops in Budapest | Atmosphere + Quality

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