Hello I will be in Budapest in September. I am looking into going to the New York Cafe, perhaps for lunch or afternoon tea. I've read mixed reviews and am wondering if anyone has been there of late and what your opinion is.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
23687 posts
Is the New York Cafe (Budapest) worth the price?
If you are into architecture, opulence, beauty and if you read some of the history and it inspires you ... yes.
Posted by
TX, USA
5572 posts
It’s been a couple of years since I went. I am really glad I did - the setting is hard to believe. Just be aware it is somewhat expensive and the food, while good, isn’t the best you can find in Budapest. Making a reservation is a good idea. Worth the price is subjective - lots of things can change that answer for different interests and priorities.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
23687 posts
The prices are not that bad compared to the costs in New York City. Cup off coffee (with gold leaf) and a proper biscoff ... and a shot glass of water; 11,50 euro. https://newyorkcafe.hu/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/New-York-Cafe_etlap_kavehaz_2025_tavasz.pdf Last time I went in it was with my university age kids. They asked for a chess board and played chess for hours whill i ran up a huge tab on coffee. Why go? https://youtu.be/QndU3I1mfqo?si=PwmWm0VQ6VHKsIxJ
Posted by
Citizen of the World
3461 posts
Spare yourself the tourist-trap expense, and just walk through the public spaces of Budapest’s PARISI UDVAR HOTEL It was originally a bank built during the zenith of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
23687 posts
Excellent idea Kneko. The lobby of the c. 1913 Párisi Udvar Hotel is one of the more beautiful hotel spaces in the Europe. No argument there. But stop and have a cup of coffee for about the same price as the c 1894 NY Café and about as full of tourists as the NY Café which is to be expected as the Párisi Udvar Hotel is a 5-star tourist hotel.
I guess I am different. I don’t just want to walk through to check it off the list. I want to sit in these places and become a part of them and the history and the culture and the atmosphere, if only for an hour. I insist that if you go to the Párisi Udvar Hotel that you stop for coffee. If you don’t, if others don’t, then the space turns into nothing more than a tourist walk. That would ruin everything that is special about the space.
Other similar striking Secession and Art Nouveau style interiors include the c 1894 Opera, c 1907 Franz Liszt Academy, c 1909 Újszínház (Theatre), c 1931 Ervin Szabó Library, c 1918 Gellert Bathhouse and the c 1906 Four Seasons Hotel; all worth a visit if you have time.
Posted by
tampa, florida, usa
82 posts
I agree with Mr. E. I was in Budapest last November (1st time) and I enjoyed going to the New York Cafe with my two companions. Yes it was pricey but so worth it (IMHO) to sit and enjoy and soak up the atmosphere. It is so beautifully opulent with lovely live music. Going to Budapest again this September and may not go back there necessarily but will try another place and sit and soak up the atmosphere while enjoying a coffee. That's what I love to do. Regina