Chocolate Brownie photo by Jhon Marquez-Pexels.

10 Delicious Cake Shops in Budapest

Anywhere in Budapest you go, you’ll soon come across a cukraszda (pastry shop). The Austro-Hungarian Empire, where people interacted over decadent cakes and decadent tortes, is where Hungary’s still thriving pastry culture originates. And who could blame them for it, really?

You may purchase traditional Hungarian pastries like Dobos and Esterhazy at the locations listed below but there are also a few new-wave sellers who sell modernized versions of the old favorites.

I also included neighborhood favorites Nandori, Strudel Hugo, and Sommer which better convey a sense of place and aren’t typically as busy as the famous downtown pastry shops, especially Café Gerbeaud and Ruszwurm. So here are the 10 delicious cake shops in Budapest:

1. Auguszt Buda

Cheesecake photo by Suzy Hazelwood-Pexels.

The luxury pastry shop Auguszt is a Budapest landmark and is referred to as the “Gerbeaud of Buda.” The fourth generation of the family business which began in 1870 is still in charge; on most days, 70-year-old Jozsef Auguszt still works the register while sporting a chef’s cap.

The previous 150 years have been difficult for Auguszt; for instance, the family was exiled to rural Hungary during the communist era and the company was nationalized.

They were given a modest space in 1957 out of which the present building evolved. You can sample items like an indianer and rigo jancsi, which were once popular in Hungary but are now hardly found at Auguszt thanks to its exceptionally large selection of pastries and cakes.

Keep in mind that the cost is higher than elsewhere simply because of the quality of their products. In addition, note that Auguszt location in Pest is run separately by another branch of the family.

Practical information:
Open Hours: Monday and Sunday: closed, Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 Am – 6:00 Pm
Contact: +36 1 316 3817

Location: Budapest, Feny u. 8, Hungary

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2. Strudel Hugo

Donuts and Bagel display photo by Igor Ovsyannykov-Pexels.

Strudel Hugo, which rivals any Strudel shop in Budapest, is a better option if the crowds of people swarming the Strudel House in the city center turn you off.

When it first opened in 2017, Strudel Hugo named after modernist Hungarian painter Hugo Scheiber located on the far end of the Jewish Quarter rapidly became a favorite hangout for strudel lovers.

Both sweet and savory strudels, standard and traditional, are available here. The broccoli, bacon, and cream cheese variety of the latter should not be missed.

Try a cottage cheese tro, chestnut-raspberry, or cherry-chocolate strudel if sweet strudels are more your style.

Two strudels, which are available for €1.5 each, form a filling dessert. In addition, note that there are only a few seats inside but you can take your order to go as most people do.

Practical information:
Open Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 Am – 7:00 Pm and Saturday 9:00 Am – 5:00 Pm
Sunday closed.
Contact: +36 1 615 1513
Location: Budapest, at the corner of Kertesz u. 22, 1073 Hungary

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 3. Szamos Gourmet House

Chocolate With Milted Chocolate on White Ceramic Plate photo by Unknown-Pixabay.

Having more than a dozen outlets throughout Budapest, Szamos is a well-known family-run pastry bakery. This one is situated inside a classy, high-ceilinged room on Vorosmarty ter, right in the center of Budapest.

It’s a good place to stop for coffee and treats if you need a break from touring. The delights like szatmari plum cake and the Sacher tortes are two particularly delicious examples of the light, creamy kremes that you would be there for.

In addition, don’t skimp on the marzipans simply because Szamos began as an artisan marzipan manufacturer, and this counter is entirely devoted to figurines of all different shapes and sizes.

Furthermore in Szentendre, a little town outside of Budapest where the family business is based and interestingly there is even a marzipan museum run by the company.

Practical information:
Open on: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 Am – 8:00 Pm
Contact: +36 30 570 5973
Location: Budapest, Vaci u. 1, 1052 Hungary

4. Sommer Cukraszda

Cold Dessert photo by Joaquin Egea-Pexels.

Although Sommer is not among Budapest’s best pastry stores, it is a local favorite if you want to visit and sample a classic old-school candy shop. Though it is a little situated outside the city center, the location is conveniently accessible on foot.

Sommer offers an extremely extensive selection of dependable traditional Hungarian and Jewish-Hungarian pastries, including a Dobos and Esterhazy torte and less well-known sweets like a Rakoczi tros, a sweet cottage cheese tart with apricot jam and meringue on top.

In addition, there are strudels, savory biscuits like pogacsa, and sajtos rolo, a baked pastry in the form of a tube that is filled with cream cheese.

It’s recommended to try the bejgli, a Christmas roll stuffed with ground poppy seeds and ground walnuts if you visit in the winter. Prices are reasonable where by the cakes run less than a couple of Euros each.

Practical information:
Open on: Monday to Friday from 9:00 Am – 7:00 pm and Saturday to Sunday from 10:00 Am – 7:00 Pm
Contact: +36 30 922 6676
Location: Budapest, Sziv u. 1, 1063 Hungary

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5. Fischer Cukraszda

Fischer is one of Budapest’s oldest pastry stores, having been around since 1973. This modest, standing-only area hasn’t changed much over the past century which adds to its attractiveness.

Most days, the business’s owner Aurel Fischer who is now well into his nineties still works the counter. As one might expect, a lot of traditional Hungarian dishes are available however not all of them are prepared as well as others.

Local regulars advise choosing the red currant jelly-filled fresh and crumbly pies as well as the summertime ice cream. In addition order, an espresso shot with a dollop of whipped cream on top for the complete experience.

Practical information:
Open on: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11:00 Am- 5:00 Pm
Location: Budapest, Hollen Erno u. 33, 1136

6. Café Gerbeaud

Budapest’s central Gerbeaud is a historic pastry bakery and café housed in a shining white structure elaborately embellished with crystal chandeliers, marble-topped tables, and cherrywood paneling.

After taking over the company in 1884, Swiss-Hungarian patissier Emil Gerbeaud transformed the Hungarian confectionery market with his creative pastries and sweets. Budapest’s elite has long frequented Café Gerbeaud as a place to see and be seen.

Even after it was nationalized during the communist era it nevertheless exuded elegance. However, even today Gerbeaud continues to produce some of the best Dobos, Esterhazy, Sacher tortes, kremes, and the café signature Gerbeaud cake.

You can also enjoy two of their specialty desserts including konyakmeggy, a brandied sour cherry bonbon with a chocolate shell.

Practical information:
Open Hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00 Am – 9:00 Pm
Contact: +36 1 429 9000
Location: Budapest, Vorosmarty ter 7-8, 1051

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7. Central Café

One of the few remaining coffeehouses from Budapest’s heyday, prior to World War I is Central. At the time, the city was teeming with cafés like Central that were open 24 hours a day and drew artists who had spent countless hours working and socializing while caffeinated.

One of Central’s walls is now covered with framed images of famous authors, poets, and editors who used to frequent the space. Budapest’s tragic post-war history affected the exquisite setting which included mahogany wall paneling and red leather banquettes.

However, Central was restored to its former splendor in 2000, protecting an important aspect of the city’s cultural past. Nowadays, the location serves as a café, a bar, and a restaurant all at once.

In addition, the majority of visitors come here for breakfast, coffee or cakes as well as to enjoy the outdoor tables.

Practical information:
Open Hours: Monday to Sunday: 8:00 Am –  12:00 Am
Contact: +36 1 266 2110
Location: Budapest, Karolyi utca 9, 1053 Hungary

8. Nandori Cukraszda

Nandori Cukraszda is the place to go if you want a more authentic experience and think that downtown pastry shops give a bit tourist encounter. Since it opened in 1957, this well-liked neighborhood restaurant has been easily accessible from downtown by foot.

Here, you may discover traditional Hungarian pastries like cakes, tarts, savory biscuits, and marzipan figurines.

However, in the warmer months, you can also get ice cream. They are surprisingly reliable and only slightly inferior to the city’s well-known hotspots like Gerbeaud and Auguszt.

Practical information:
Open Hours: Monday to Saturday: from 7:00 Am – 7:30 Pm and Sunday: closed
Contact: +36 1 215 8776
Location: Budapest, Raday u. 53, 1092 Hungary

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9. Ruszwurm Confectionery

Ruszwurm is Budapest’s oldest still-open pastry bakery, perched atop Castle Hill. Empress Sissi, the wife of the Habsburg Emperor Franz Joseph, has been among the establishment’s illustrious roster of patrons since its inauguration in 1827.

Interestingly Ruszwurm was nationalized during the communist era but continued to operate as a confectionery. However you came to Budapest for the kremes, a vanilla custard dessert that surpasses all others in quality, the historic atmosphere, the charming cherry wood furnishings, and landmark protection.

Order a whipped cream-topped, delicious hot chocolate during the cooler months as well. For the location, prices are surprisingly affordable.

Practical information:
Open Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00 Am – 6:00 Pm
Contact: +36 1 375 5284
Location: Budapest, Szentharomsag u. 7, 1014 Hungary

10. Desszert Neked

Along with the historical pastry shops, Budapest is home to a growing number of modern confectioneries. Desszert.Neked, which occupies a large, clearly modern space on a quiet backstreet close to downtown, is one of the pioneers.

Many of the traditional dishes are still present here, such Dobos torte, Rakoczi tros, and isler, but they have been well crafted and include subtle updates and variations.

It is also recommended to try Mademoiselle, a white-chocolate mousse flavored with raspberry jam, and “royal,” a layered cake with a powerful chocolate flavor.

Practical information:
Open Hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00 Am – 8:00 Pm
Contact: +36 20 253 1519
Location: Budapest, Paulay Ede u. 17, 1061 Hungary

Besides the pastries and delicious Hungarian confectionaries, the food scene in Budapest offers a variety of experiences to all willing to spend some time exploring. Are you one of these? Check out our available food tours in Budapest and savor the city’s best!