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Budapest
cafés
The
Hungarian
Café culture goes back to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As
well as Vienna, Budapest is also famous for its numerous
cafés. Everyone can find a place according to one's personal
taste, there is a wide variety. Cafés have always been
popular but nowadays we can witness a revival. It is great to spend
some free time between two university lectures, chat with friends
or
organize a short business meeting in a café. In wintertime
it is very pleasant to sip a hot chocolate or try a coffee speciality
in the warm and buzzling atmosphere. In summer many cafes have a
terrace with cosy armchairs and parasols, from where you can watch
people passing by. There is really an endless variety, so no
list can be complete. Just to name a few, here is a subjective
selection.
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Historic
cafés: It has a
history of more than hundred years but was
renewed a few years ago and they could achieve their goals. Its ars
poetica best captures its characteristics: “Tradition and
modernity. Respect for traditions, openness to new ideas. That is how Central
Café
could be described. We are proud of our
forefathers and we are aware of the challenges of our age. We do not
intend to evoke the past, but we intend to revive the kind of
intellectuality that used to make this place one of the most popular
intellectual centres of the capital.” Nowadays it is a very
popular place with tables reserved for regular guests, newspapers to
read and really undertaking a social function.
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Luxurious
cafés: One of the
most famous cafés of Budapest
is the New
York,
that is mentioned in each guidebook about Budapest. It
has a great history, once it was very popular among writers, actors and
intellectuals. Legend has it that once a famous Hungarian writer wanted
to throw the key of the café in the Danube, so that they
should never be closed. The café, that is now part of a 5
star hotel was thoroughly renovated in all detail, but the atmosphere
changed a bit. It attracts mainly tourists and an ambitious young
publicum. Callas
is on the Andrássy Avenue, next to the
Opera house. It's location already presumes the prestigious inner
decoration and design. The glistening details reflect elegance and
luxury. They have nice afternoon cakes and gourmet dishes.
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Terraced
cafés: Angelika
is
on the Buda side at Battyhany square.
There is a great panorama on the Parliament building, from the uniquely
arranged terrace. The building itself belongs to the famous Baroque St.
Anna Church and hosts guests since 1720's. The today's design is
elegant and cosy, you can try refined cofee specialities. Gerlóczy
can be found on the Pest side, close to Vaci utca.
It has a real mediterranean atmosphere, due to the intimate, small
square where it is located, and the French and Italian style gourmet
food served. The astonishing wide selection of breakfast and high-tea
dishes and the polite staff make it a pleasant place. In the evenings
there is live piano or harp music.
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Modern
cafés: The California
Coffee
Company is an international
chain, they have more
units around the city. The lounge cafe with fresh design interior and
free wifi connection is very popular among the younger generation. The
huge cosy leather armchairs invite for relaxation and most of the
guests sit for hours busy working on their laptops. The light rooms and
electric plugs are ideal for eg. showing holiday photos to your
friends. The hot chocolate and the Brownie are excellent, there is a
take away option.
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