Would you like to visit “the most beautiful café in the world”? Then you should check out New York Café in Budapest, Hungary.
As a lover of the Gilded Age and old-world architecture, afternoon tea in New York Café was the first thing I booked after flights to Budapest. I knew it was something I had to experience, even though I saw varying opinions and reviews online.
And I didn’t only stop by for a coffee, I went all in with afternoon tea. So was the New York Café in Budapest worth it? Yes, I definitely think so. But let’s take a closer look at what you can expect so you can make up your own mind.
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Article overview
Why is New York Café Budapest famous?
Before we get into my review, I just wanted to touch on why New York Café is one of Budapest’s top attractions and called the world’s most beautiful café.
Firstly, New York Café is celebrated for its breathtaking architectural splendor, with an interior that boasts ornate ceilings, gilded stucco, grand chandeliers, and luxurious furnishings, all housed within the Italian Renaissance-style New York Palace built in the late 19th century, during the gilded age.
Secondly, since its opening in 1894, the New York Café served as a meeting place for the city’s intellectuals, writers, and poets throughout the 20th century. It provided the backdrop for discussions and exchanges that would shape the literary and artistic movements within the country.
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New York Café opening hours
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 am – 12:00 am
Breakfast: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 am – 11:00 am
It’s worth noting that due to the popularity of the cafe, I recommend visiting on weekdays, particularly in the morning hours right after opening, or during late evenings. Off-peak seasons, like early spring or late autumn, tend to be less crowded than summer months.
Reservation
Due to the increasing demand of the New York Café, table reservations are now only available for dinners after 6:00 pm. But they always keep some tables open during the reservation period, so if online reservations are closed it’s still worth stopping by.
From 8:00 am – 6:00 pm, seating is first come first served.
New York Café Budapest review
With the logistics out of the way, let’s get into the juicy part. What was it actually like to visit the New York Café? And is it one of the best restaurants in Budapest?
New York Café decor
The first thing you notice once you step inside is, of course, the opulent decor. It is a testament to the era’s grandiosity and its penchant for meticulous craftsmanship.
The ceilings are a canvas of elaborate frescoes, each brushstroke a whisper of the past. I love how the gilded stucco work seems to dance in the warm glow of the chandeliers, themselves masterpieces of sparkling crystal and ornate metalwork.
But my favorite part of the interior has to be the detailed balustrades topped with red velvet. Just take a look above. Whenever I’m in a space like this I like to close my eyes and pretend to be transported back in time. What would it have been like back then?
So there’s no question that the decor makes a visit to the New York Café an experience in itself. It is not just a café; it is a living museum, a celebration of an era that revered beauty and the dedication it took to achieve it.
You’ll find a range of options to satisfy both sweet and savory cravings. I peeked over at every table I could to get a sense of the quality of the food. And to be honest, nothing overly excited me like food normally does.
All-day breakfast includes The Italian breakfast at €20 that consists of pastries, fruit salad, bread, jams, honey and butter. Or New York egg Benedict at €15 with bacon or smoked salmon.
From what I could see of the Italian breakfast, it appeared somewhat underwhelming given the price, with the fruit looking very soupy and the pastries squashed.
If you’re in the mood for something more substantial, Chef Andras Wolf’s lunch and dinner menu draws on traditional Hungarian cuisine with a modern twist. Dishes such as beef goulash soup (also a popular street food in Budapest), Wiener schnitzel, grilled rainbow trout, and chicken paprikash are staples.
The dessert menu looked rather inviting with treats like lemon mousse with crunchy coffee, New York chocolate cake and a tasting platter. As mentioned, we opted for the afternoon tea for two, which I go into more detail about below.
Service at New York Café
I made a reservation for 2:30 pm and I’m very happy I did. Once we opened the door we were met by a line that almost went outside. It felt quite chaotic and I didn’t understand where to go when we already had a reservation. The hostess told people it would be at least a 45-minute wait to be seated.
A couple in the front waved their printed reservation so I made my way over to them. Once they were seated the hostess asked me if I had a reservation and then promptly showed me to a table in the main dining hall. However, I would really have appreciated clear signage with one line for reservations and one for those without.
A few minutes later our server came over with menus. They felt a little worn and almost dirty, but our server was nice and polite. You know, nice but in an “I work in a very busy restaurant and have to be quick” kind of way.
I had already looked at the menu beforehand like any foodie does, so I knew I wanted the afternoon tea. 20 minutes later it was on our table, and before we left our server asked if we wanted anything else. So all in all I would put service at a 3.5 out of 5.
Afternoon tea at New York Café Budapest
I really wanted to love the afternoon tea at the New York Café, since it is served in such a beautiful setting and all.
It started well with both our drinks and food arriving within 20 minutes. But unfortunately, the sandwiches were very dry, like the buns were at least a day old. And the eclairs were rather bland. The best part was actually the freshly squeezed orange juice.
There is live Gypsy music from 11:00 am, which makes the experience more special. If you can, be sure to leave a little tip for the musicians. It is very much appreciated, I think they play there every day.
I see that they have freshened up the afternoon tea for the new year. It now includes a different selection of both pastries and sandwiches at €72,5 for two. Coming from Norway this is lower than what I’m used to. I recently paid €90 for two here in a much more casual restaurant.
However, if I were to visit the New York Café again, I would definitely choose the “New York snack selection” or the “Franz Joseph experience for two”, which both looked more appetizing.
New York Café history & architecture
The New York Café in Budapest, completed in 1894, was designed by the Hungarian architect Alajos Hauszmann, with Flóris Korb and Kálmán Giergl contributing to the exquisite interiors. It is an outstanding example of Italian Renaissance-style architecture. My favorite!
If you’re wondering why this famous cafe is named after a city in America, it’s because it was built as the headquarters of the New York Life Insurance Company. Typical of the Gilded Age and Belle Époque, they wanted to show off their grandeur inspired by places like Vienna and Paris.
As the centerpiece of Hungary’s literary and poetry scene for decades, it was here that the city’s aristocrats mingled. In an era when writers and visionaries often struggled to make ends meet, it was not uncommon for places like the New York Café to serve as informal offices where they could work, meet with peers, and find patrons who might support them financially.
However, the aftermath of World War II saw the grand building fall into disrepair. It regained some of its cultural stature in the 1950s as the Húngaria Kávéház, only to be repurposed as a sporting goods store later on.
The café’s renaissance came when the Italian hotel group, Boscolo, acquired the property following the end of the communist era. Under their ownership, the New York Café was meticulously revived to its original splendor.
Boscolo’s restoration extended to the entire New York Palace, which today stands as the luxurious Anantara New York Palace Hotel.
| Architect | Alajos Hauszmann |
| Interior Designers | Flóris Korb and Kálmán Giergl |
| Style | Italian Renaissance |
| Completion | 1894 |
| Notable Elements | Ornate metal work, colorful frescoes, gilded stucco panels, marble columns |
How to get there
Centrally located in Erzsébetvaros, on Budapest’s Grand Boulevard, New York Café is easily accessible, and depending on your accommodation, it is often within walking distance.
If you don’t feel like walking, you can take advantage of Budapest’s extensive public transport network. It’s situated close to the Blaha Lujza tér, a major intersection and transport hub in the city.
- By Metro: Utilize Line M2 and exit at Blaha Lujza tér station, which is a short walk from the café.
- By Tram: Trams 4 and 6 stop at Blaha Lujza tér, just steps away from the destination.
- By Bus: Multiple buses, including 7, 107, 178, stop at Blaha Lujza tér.
Tickets for public transport are available at metro stations, newsstands, and automated machines. They must be validated at the start of the journey to avoid fines.
If you get the Budapest Card, which I highly recommend, unlimited use of public transport is included.
Is the Budapest card worth it?
Yes! Enjoy unlimited public transport and free entry to more than 30 attractions such as Lukács Thermal Bath and the Hungarian National Museum. I’m so happy we got the 72h Budapest Card, it saved us around €50. 🌟 Click here to check it out
How to get from Budapest Airport to the city center
The most affordable way to get from Budapest Airport is by bus no. 200E which takes you to Kőbánya-Kispest metro station, where you can change to metro line M3 and get to the center.
You can also use direct bus 100E which runs around the clock, but keep in mind that you need a special ticket for this one that costs 2,200 HUF/€5.5.
The easiest way to get to the city center is via shared airport shuttle, which costs €12+ and will drop you off at your accommodation. You can check the current price and availability below.
I used public transportation the first time since it was included in my Budapest card, however, the second time I used MiniBUD which was super convenient and still affordable. Door-to-door airport transfer is included in the Budapest 72-hours Plus card.
Is New York Café Budapest worth it?
Yes, I think a visit to the New York Café in Budapest is worth the price. That’s mainly because I love history, architecture and especially the era that the café so beautifully represents. It is also a unique experience that you can’t have everywhere else.
You can of course visit exquisite buildings elsewhere in the city, like the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library, the Hungarian State Opera House or the Parliament. However, I feel it is special to sit down and immerse yourself in the ambiance of decor, food and music.
If you don’t care about this stuff and are only looking for a good place to eat, there are better options. Mazel Tov, kind of like an upscale ruin bar, is one of the best Mediterranean restaurants in the city. I also really like Kiosk, you have to check out their outdoor patio during the warmer months.
If you’d rather stay away from the crowds, check out my guide to hidden gems in Budapest.
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