Here is our guide to finding the oldest coffee shop in Budapest. If you love coffee and wish to visit Hungary’s capital city, this guide will help you. If that’s true, you’re in for a lot of fun. The city has a long coffee history and some of its top highlights include its iconic historic cafes. In this write-up, we’ll introduce you to Budapest’s oldest coffee shop. It’s time to begin!

Budapest’s Coffee Experiences

Coffee houses from the Austro-Hungarian days, found in Budapest, are cultural attractions, selling espressos from 500 HUF (£1.04) and pastries for 800 HUF (£1.67). Traditional cafes in District V beat newer chains and the weather on May 2025 allows you to relax on their terraces. According to The Guardian, users on Reddit r/budapest describe Budapest as having “a bygone charm and affordable prices.”

1. Gerbeaud Café

Found in the center of Budapest, on Vörösmarty Square, Gerbeaud Café opened in the nineteenth century and is the oldest coffee bar in the city. People have been coming here since 1858, including both regular locals and travelers.

Just a step into Gerbeaud Café and you’ll feel like you’re reliving the past. The beautiful interior, decorated with chandeliers, marble columns and casual seating, keeps alive a rich sense of history. Come here to relax and order a good cup of coffee.

As well as its historic appearance, Gerbeaud Café is famous for its delicious pastries. If traditional Hungarian cakes and Viennese strudels are to your liking, you will find plenty to eat.

Opening Hours:

Days

Opening Hours

Monday – Thursday

9:00 am – 9:00 pm

Friday – Saturday

9:00 am – 10:00 pm

Sunday

9:00 am – 8:00 pm

Prices at Vörösmarty tér 7–8 in District V are 600 HUF (£1.25) for an espresso and 1,200 HUF (£2.50) for Dobos torte. The area is located just past Vörösmarty tér. Travelers on TripAdvisor (4.5/5) enjoy the grand atmosphere of the hotel. There is live piano (no cover charge) each weekend.

2. Centrál Kávéház

You should also put Centrál Kávéház at the top of your list, as it has been around since 1887. Located nearby Astoria and Deák Ferenc Square, the house has earned a reputation for welcoming writers, scholars and artists over the years.

The interior at Centrál Kávéház is inspired by both Art Nouveau and Neo-Renaissance styles. The grandeur in the mosque is brought by its high ceiling, fancy ornaments and art on the walls.

Centrál Kávéház has many coffee varieties available. No matter if you like espresso or cappuccino, the staff at Cafe Dragon will prepare them in just the right way.

Opening Hours:

Days

Opening Hours

Work is done from Mondays to Fridays

From 9:00 am until 10:30 pm, all restaurants are open.

Saturday is followed by Sunday.

Ten o’clock in the morning to ten thirty at night

You’ll spend 800 HUF (£1.67) on a cappuccino at Károlyi u. 9 (District V) and strudels are priced at 1,000 HUF (£2.08). Located just near M3 (Ferenciek tere). Viator (4.4/5) notes the “literary charm” in The Development of English Family Life. Those who work online are drawn to Wi-Fi hotspots.

3. Ruszwurm Confectionery

Even though it isn’t a coffee shop, Ruszwurm Confectionery in Budapest is a classic pastry shop that has been baking tasty sweets since 1827. If you are in the Buda Castle District, take a little time to visit this place for some wonderful pastries.

Walking into Ruszwurm Confectionery is such a pleasant experience that you won’t want to leave. The small restaurant is filled with antique pieces and old decorations which help make the place look cozy and nostalgic.

Ruszwurm’s famous cream cakes and strudels should be on your list when you visit. These delicious dishes are made using age-old cooking methods to ensure you get a true and enjoyable taste.

Opening Hours:

Days

Opening Hours

Every day from Monday to Sunday

From 10:00 am until 8:00 pm

A drink at Szentháromság u. 7 will cost you 700 HUF (£1.46) and cream cakes are 1,000 HUF (£2.08). Just outside of bus 16. Those in r/budapest are big fans of the “Buda charm.” Book your visit to Buda Castle as part of the same admission fee (free).

Easy Ways to Make the Best of Your Time in May 2025

Click on Gerbeaud and complete the booking form via gerbeaud.hu to celebrate the weekend here.

• It’s best to dress for a smart-casual event at Centrál.
• Bring cash on your trip, as Ruszwurm may want Euros.
• Some cafes accept Metro: M1/M3 tickets, but you’ll have to pay 350 HUF (£0.73) for them.
• Check Events: May’s coffee festivals offer visitors a chance to taste a variety of drinks, said budapestinfo.hu.
• In the area: See what’s on Váci Street (near Gerbeaud) or visit Matthias Church (next to Ruszwurm, entrance is £5.21).

Why are Budapest’s coffee shops so special?

Their ambiance comes from Austria and their food is affordable (a drink can be yours for just £1–£2, against £5 in the UK), especially if you are a fan of Hungarian-Austrian fusion. People enjoy using terraces that much more because the weather in May is pleasant.

Conclusion

Best to spend time at Budapest’s most historic coffee shops for a glimpse of the region’s culture and background. At Gerbeaud Café, Centrál Kávéház or Ruszwurm Confectionery, guests enjoy something original each time they visit.

Don’t forget to check out these famous coffee shops as part of your time in Budapest. Delight in some coffee, taste the many pastries and love every moment in these historic cafés.