Good Morning Budapest! - best breakfast places

„Wake up! Let's go working!  
-But why?  
- Because work is ennobling!”*

Budapest is in a phase when it has to re-invent, re-inaugurate and re-invigorate old, sometimes almost forgotten customs, urban traditions; such as the so pleasant ritual of breakfast or weekend brunch.I have to admit that Budapest seems to oversleep the date of these meals in weekends, whereas on weekdays, only few can afford the luxury of a leisurely-consumed breakfast when the arrival to the office (or school) is due at 8.00 AM.

Yuck! I've once heard said that early wake-up is intellectual-incompatible…. True.

However, we've established with a couple of friends the habit of early meetings, since this has an enormous advantage: your day begins with a cozy date with friends,  but you can still set on your daily routine at a reasonable time. A very good start to the day!

My all-time favourite is Gerlóczy Kávéház, very close to Váci utca - shopping street. This café-and- restaurant, on the tiny square of Kamermayer tér (bearing the name of the city's first mayor) is hidden amongst the eclectic blocks of downtown buildings.  Classical, elegant, everyday luxury with just a hint of French café milieu (I cannot decide whether it is the multi-coloured light bulbs, hung up in front of the terrace wich reinforce the French touch, or  is it the retro summer atmosphere). Despite of what you might presume, most of the guests are local!
Fresh-baked croissant with butter, fruitshake, and a huge latte - an ordinary menu for a stylish breakfast.
And the cherry on the whipped cream: the wonderful Gerlóczy boutique-hotel with 15 rooms runs above the café, offering modern, design- luxury accommodation in the reconsidered historical rooms.

Going on, Király utca (you know, the Design Street) offers several places for a quicker breakfast. Try  Bobek, in Kazinczy utca. This lively, youngish café was named after the main character of a Czechoslovakian cartoon in the 70's, called 'Bob and Bobek'.The two bunnies, lived in a cylinder and used to do morning exercises. The smaller one, Bobek, was lazier, he had to be goaded to do his job….does the problem sound familiar? :)

And finally, let's not forget about the Buda side! I was suggested to try out the café on Corvin tér, situated right in front of the Hungarian Heritage House, its terrace facing the breath-taking eclectic folk art concert hall. As the place does not open till 10.00 AM, ham-onion-mushroom omelets, blueberry or orange cheesecake await the early-risers in Café Piaf a few meters away. The name is quite convenient, as the Budapest French Institute is just on the other side of the block. Occasional French chitchat is also on the café's menu.

So, as the Hungarian saying goes: Ki korán kel, aranyat lel "Those getting up early, will find gold2 or at least a tasty breakfast.

Ujj Orsi

*quote from the cartoon 'Bob and Bobek '





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