As I explored the city and discovered these places one after another, one thing became increasingly certain:

Brunch is the gateway genre of gastronomy. These dishes are available at reasonable prices even in more upmarket places, and at the same time, we get the comfort and attention that we would expect from a much more expensive dinner.

1. Béchamel

Béchamel is the institution for all-day brunch. The breakfast spot on Akácfa Street exudes a charming and peaceful atmosphere in the favourite area of tourists.

The restaurant accommodates around 30 people, so it's quite challenging to get a table on weekends, especially after 10 am. Therefore, it's advisable to arrive at opening hours or choose weekdays.

In this place, I naturally tried something made with béchamel sauce. Thus, I had the opportunity to enjoy the best Croque Madame sandwich of my life. There is a twist, though, as instead of bread, they use brioche, which is slightly sweet, slightly salty, and in fantastic harmony with the cheese, ham, béchamel, and fried egg on top. Although it might seem trivial, I also loved the accompanying salad, and since I tasted other items, I couldn't finish the generous portion alone.

On the sweet side, I chose the French Toast, which, with its meticulous decoration, is a real mood enhancer. Again, there's a twist, as they use baguette as the base.

And of course, many other classics are available on the menu. The Israeli shakshuka, the American favourite avocado toast, or the Hungarian lecsó all seemed tempting.

For me, and those like me, it's also a plus that they have classic, dark-roasted coffee.

Address: 1072, Akácfa Street 36.
Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 8:00 - 17:00

2. Centrál Grand Cafe Bar

Centrál Café opened in 1887 and experienced its heyday in the early 1900s. Regulars included Ady, Karinthy, Móricz, Babits, Kosztolányi, Szabó Lőrincz, Tóth Árpád, Kaffka Margit, and Illyés Gyula.

Of course, Centrál has changed a lot since then, but the small details of the decor and the quotes served with coffee, faithfully preserve the literary heritage. Just for this old-new atmosphere, it's a must-have experience.

The breakfast menu and its presentation are like a fairy tale. Moreover, it's available at any time of the day.

The most spectacular item on the menu is the Brunch Tower, which comes in various combinations.

There's a version with savoury elements, a vegan one, and for those with a sweet tooth, the Paris Tower:

Three layers of solid delight with fruits, croissants, seeds, and mini pastries. And while nothing could be more pleasing to the eye than this, I would still go back for the stuffed French toast.

It's already commendable that it's on the menu, but the mozzarella, Italian ham filling, accompanied by onion jam and chive sour cream, literally makes the experience perfect.

And if you thought this couldn't be enhanced, let me tell you: live piano music is played during breakfast here.

Address: 1053, Károlyi Street 9.
Opening hours: Sun - Tue: 9:00 - 22:00, Wed - Sat: 9:00 - 0:00

3. Cafe Brunch Budapest

The success of Cafe Brunch Budapest is evident as the business, started in 2017, now offers all-day breakfasts at 5 locations in the city.

This time, I tested their offerings near the Basilica, but I have also been to their place on Hajós Street, and I indulged myself just as much as now.

The menu offers numerous options, including gluten-free, lactose-free, vegetarian, and vegan dishes. Many dishes are consistently present in all units, but there are also unique elements.

Next to the Basilica, for example, the speciality is the Breaded Toast, whose base is made from their own wild yeast bread from the bakery. The Avocado toast is also unforgettable when paired with salmon, as I can personally attest.

The sweet section is even more charming. You won't be disappointed if you choose American pancakes or French toast, but I dare say that the city's most beautiful, handcrafted croissants can also be found here in raspberry, chocolate, and pistachio flavours.

And, of course, their black coffee is exceptional. A local artisan coffee roaster, Budapest Kávé, creates a special 100% Brazilian Arabica coffee blend for Cafe Brunch Budapest, available in all their cafes.

Address: 1051, Zrínyi Street 8-10 (inside the CEU building)

Other locations:
Cafe Brunch Budapest Opera
Brunch Bistro Budapest
Cafe Brunch Budapest Fővám tér
Cafe Brunch Budapest - Deli

Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 8:00 - 16:00

4. Benedict Breakfast & Bar

It's always a joy to recommend a place that is not part of the bustling downtown. Benedict is located in the 13th district, directly on the Danube, so it's worth a trip for its unique atmosphere, even if you don't live in the area.

They take their name very seriously at Benedict, not only sticking to the Eggs Benedict on the menu, but also paying homage to its inventor, Lemuel Benedict, in various ways in the restaurant.

At Benedict, you can taste the original version alongside several exciting variations. Without any exaggeration, the hollandaise sauce truly perfects this dish.

Another exciting choice is the homemade camembert with pickled red cabbage, sourdough bread, and confit garlic. But what really amazed me was the banana bread, a much humbler version of which lived in my mind until now. However, tuned with maple syrup, fried bananas, and fruits, this becomes the perfect sweet breakfast or afternoon dessert.

For those who like to sit on the best terraces with the first rays of sunshine, I must tell you, it's time to put Benedict on your list because springtime sitting on the Danube is just around the corner!

Address: 1138 Budapest, Úszódaru Street 1.
Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 8:00 - 16:00

5. VAJ

I admit, VAJ is a bit different because it's more of a bakery-coffee shop chain that already delights us in three locations in the city.

Their newest unit is in Sas Street, and I'll let you in on a secret: if everything goes according to their plans, they will introduce classic brunch dishes here in the spring.

But until then, it's worth heading towards VAJ because what they do at the bakery level is truly top-notch.

A perfect example is the Pain au Chocolat, or Hungarian-style chocolate pillow. This pastry can only command respect if it is perfectly made, and there's no decoration distracting us here, no playing with different flavours. Here it's just pastry and chocolate, and if a place manages to make this irresistible, then you know they have a knack for the craft. That's what VAJ can do.

I would recommend any of their sweet, flaky wonders because I can say that each one is made from quality ingredients, and by skilled hands, which you'll undoubtedly realise when you bite into a pistachio-blackberry croissant...

Let me say a few words about the sandwiches because they impress with devilish details. I recently tried a bagel sandwich, which has a twist: the dough is made in a steam oven, then it's filled with mortadella, cream cheese, pickles, tamago omelette and basil. And yes, the basil is as essential here as everything else, and it's this extra touch that makes it unforgettable.

Address: 1051, József Attila Street 18.
Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 8:00 - 16:00

+ 1 Horizont

The former foyer of the Horizont Cinema is now home to one of the trendiest breakfast spots. If you know Szimply, you know roughly what to expect (as the two places belong to the same ownership), and if you don't, then you'll have to see it with your own eyes.

The circular building itself has a unique atmosphere, and it's a great experience to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the boulevard through the huge windows. The colours are muted and restrained, yet they come together very harmoniously. But all this truly makes sense when the rainbow plates appear.

There is no bad choice here, no less stylish dish. The scrambled eggs, bagel and waffle are given a festive touch, and it's by no means an exaggeration to say that these are unique works of art.

It's as if one sees the work of a young and lively contemporary painter or sculptor coming to life on the plates, only in this case, the creations can be eaten.

The second wonder comes when tasting because the dishes are indeed delicious. The vegetables and fruits are super fresh and unusually varied, the textures complement each other excellently, and the portions are generously satisfying.

As an accompaniment, I was treated to a chai latte with homemade syrup and a locally made kombucha. Each easily beats the store-bought or larger network versions.

If I tried, I couldn't find anything to fault, and I've been longing to go back since I rolled out the door.

Address: 1073, Erzsébet krt. 13.
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9:00 - 16:00

Original source: szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu

Proofread by:
Marion Merrick 
Language editor and author: Now You See It, Now You Don’t  / Surprising Expats / Budapest Retro