But first, breakfast – the 5 best brunch places in Budapest

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. We’ve collected the best brunch places in Budapest so that you can start the morning right.

Hungarians have a deeply rooted national pride in their food. Go ask away, and they will go on forever about the most prominent local dishes ranging from the world-famous chicken paprikash and fisherman’s soup to different variations of strudel and the local beach food, lángos. But when it comes to breakfast, most Hungarians stick to the old ways: filling the table with cold cuts, heaps of scrambled egg, and a loaf of bread. There’s definitely beauty in this simplicity, but if you’re craving for something a bit more refined and millennial, you came to the right place. In the past few years, downtown Budapest got blessed with a growing number of cozy and hip brunch spots. On our hunt for bagels and benedicts, we collected the tastiest breakfasts in town

Sonkapult

As you can expect from its name (Sonkapult means ‘ham counter’ in Hungarian), the first on our list of brunch places in Budapest is a hot spot for meaty treats. Their colorful menu is packed with all kinds of ham, cheese, eggs, and fresh bread. But fear not, their healthy, locally sourced foods and drinks serve the needs of vegans just as well. Located in the middle of the vibrant Jewish district of Budapest, Sonkapult fuses Hungarian specialities with Mediterranean delicacies for those hungry for new flavors. From hummus variations to sweet or savoury French toasts, all the superfoods are within easy reach in this little breakfast place. Whether your morning meal is a smoothie bowl or hand-made granola with fresh fruits, you just can’t go wrong in Sonkapult.

Szimply

Contrary to its name, Szimply is not just a simple breakfast place. Expect nothing less from this tiny restaurant tucked in a cobblestone courtyard between Astoria and Deák tér than fine-crafted healthy brunch – all day. Offering fresh and healthy dishes, Szimply came to life as an extension of the nearby speciality coffee shop, Kontakt. Run by the same owner, the two places are a match made in heaven where you can enjoy a bunch of superfoods with quality coffee. In the name of slow food, you can sit out on the cozy terrace, sip the artistically brewed coffee (with strict house rules of no sugar, no americano, no milk in the filter), and choose your breakfast treat from the seasonally changing menu that’s rich in vegan and gluten-free options.

Törökméz

If you find yourself hungry for a wholesome brunch on the Buda side of the city, we warmly recommend Törökméz as well as its many flavors from across the globe. From breakfast burritos to Brazilian acai bowls to shakshuka to French toast, they are heavy on special dishes. But if you long for a more local treat, they also serve Hungarian ratatouille and a selection of sandwiches. Offering variations of pastries, speciality coffee, elderflower champagne, breakfast and lunch meals, Törökméz is an all-in-one place that functions as a bakery, a cafe, a restaurant, and a deli.

Home of Franziska

Still on the Buda side, if you wander nearby Batthyány tér, make sure to drop by Franziska for a sweet little breakfast or brunch. Whether you crave oatmeal, granola, smoothie or a croissant, this place will surely treat your morning hunger right. If you arrive after breakfast hours (later than 11:45), ask for the daily soup and salad sided by wine or a craft beer of your choice.

Cinnamon

For Cinnamon, brunch is more than a daily meal; it’s a way of life. They welcome their guests with the bittersweet smell of home-brewed coffee and an all-day breakfast menu. Guests are on thematic gastro tours from French toasts to English breakfasts, sandwiches, salads, tapas bowls, and even snappy frankfurters with homemade bread. And if the mere mention of cinnamon makes your mouth water, we recommend finishing off your meal with a cinnamon-apple donut fresh out of the oven.