The New York Café in Budapest is regarded as the most beautiful café in the world. It serves luxury at a price, but there was something surprising about its history.
We had completed a morning of sightseeing and were prepared for a posh break from the cold at the “most beautiful café in the world”: the New York Café in Budapest.
The stunning establishment had attracted considerable online buzz, so it seemed only fitting to experience the marvel ourselves.
Departing from Heroes’ Square with frozen fingers, we navigated through residential roads to reach the New York Café in Budapest’s heart.
Locating the café required no sleuthing. Before we arrived at the Grand Boulevard corner, the lengthy queue had already revealed its position.
Having examined Google Reviews in advance, we expected a wait, considering you cannot reserve daytime slots for this sought-after destination.
However, our 11.30 am appearance meant we were accompanied by crowds of fellow visitors who were equally yearning for some late-morning indulgence.
We joined the line with no notion that we’d be gazing at the imposing façade of the café building for 40 minutes.
When our moment arrived, the barrier was raised, and the street’s clamour was exchanged for a different atmosphere.
Within, an enormous hall revealed itself in layers of gold and cream.
Towering, painted ceilings, sparkling chandeliers, and elaborate decorative work proved just as magnificent as they appeared in photographs, though much of this represents reconstruction since the café deteriorated following WW2.
Should you arrive anticipating pristine 19th-century features, prepare for disappointment.
The café represents a predominantly dramatic renovation that fulfils its original purpose—entertaining the masses. Classical tunes wafted from a gallery as waitstaff, clad in black waistcoats and crisp white shirts, weaved between tables bearing silver trays.
The place was bustling, and tables were allocated as soon as they became available—a subtle nudge not to overstay. Nonetheless, we staked out our corner and took a leisurely 90 minutes to soak up the atmosphere.
Mobile phones were omnipresent, but that’s par for the course at a global hotspot: the venue is both the stage and the star, and the constant snapping keeps it buzzing.
The menus here are more suited to a gala than a quick bite. A hot chocolate will set you back around €11 (£9.50), cocktails are priced at €16 (£14), and a pistachio slice paired with a hot chocolate comes in at €25 (£22).
I chose the 24-carat gold hot chocolate—ironically, one of the less expensive options—while my sister splashed out on the pistachio masterpiece.
Service was efficient rather than personalised, which is understandable given the high turnover. Our drinks arrived promptly with just enough fanfare to make us feel special.
The real draw of this ornately adorned café is the Lugosi Salon Gipsy Band, who perform 15-minute sets each hour between 11am and 5pm, with a pianist providing the soundtrack during the breaks. We managed to catch several mini concerts.
These sporadic bursts of string music transform the room, warming the marble and muting the clatter of cutlery. For a few fleeting moments each hour, the café truly comes alive.
Our visit was a pricey affair, and if judged solely on taste, it might seem a bit lacklustre. But there’s more to this experience than what’s in your cup.
You simply can’t recreate this atmosphere in a high street chain, and that’s exactly what makes it worth a visit if you’re prepared to splash out. Despite being a reconstruction of the original building, its history remains awe-inspiring.
The New York Palace first opened its doors on 23 October 1894. It’s an eclectic Italian Renaissance landmark that continues to command attention at the corner.
This city-centre gem reopened in 1954 under the name Hungária, but it took decades before a full restoration was undertaken. It wasn’t until 2006 that the New York Café was returned to its former glory and incorporated into the hotel that now accommodates the café, a restaurant and the Nyugat bar.
My tip would be to plan your visit for early morning or late afternoon, as these times are usually quieter; queues of 30-60 minutes are typical during peak hours. When it comes to ordering, a dessert and a hot drink will give you a taste of the magic without breaking the bank.