I got a question about things around the Casati Hotel. I didnt want to junk up that thread, because its not the topic on the thread. I sent one PM to answer it, then two more wanted. The RS PM form doesn’t allow to send the same message multiple times, so here is my response. After all the bother I wish I had written something better than this.
For anyone staying at the Casati or around the Opera House this might be useful.
Unfortunately there is some construction next door to the hotel, not noisy or anything, but does ruin the appearance of the street a bit. Still, very good choice and the Tuk Tuk Bar inside has a great selection of Gin.
Let’s walk up the street (north more or less).
Next door is the Uj Szinhaz (New Theater) https://ujszinhaz.hu/. Very unique, inside and out. https://www.ablogvoyage.com/uj-szinhaz-budapest/ and an interesting history. I think you can learn more on Wikipedia if you are interested.
A few hundred feet further up the street on the right is the Pata Negra Asador Tapas & Steak restaurant. Maybe the best Spanish in town. https://patanegra.hu/ You are in a world class city with a population equivalent to Houston and an area equivalent to Chicago so you should expect, and try, not just Hungarian fare.
Turn right down Vasvari Pal utca on your right and on the left is the Lions Locker which is part luggage storage, part café and run by the nicest family and staff in town. If it is not too busy they will talk your ear off. Good choice for breakfast. https://www.lockerbudapest.com/
On the right a bit further up is a yellow building, not particularly unique in design and needing some fresh paint. If the first door is open, knock and say hello (my home).
Next up on the right is a laundry if you need it.
A little further on the left is an old still used orthodox synagogue / religious school. Doesn’t look like a synagogue? It’s because they hid it in the building courtyard. Look in the main building doors. https://vasvarizsinagoga.hu/
Finally, at the end of the street on the left is Kadarka Wine bar. Door to door 260m and about a 4 minute walk. http://kadarkawinebar.com/
You are now also at Kiraly utca and District VII. Go up any side street on the opposite side of Kiraly utca and you will find a brass marker on the sidewalk indicating when you are entering what was the Jewish Deportation Ghetto.
What you didn’t realize on the walk from the hotel to the ghetto was at least a half dozen of the buildings you walked past were Yellow Star Houses, as was the building that houses Kadarka for instance. https://www.yellowstarhouses.org/#overlay=about
Now from the hotel let’s go down Pauly Ede utca to the center of town.
You have to do this once for the typical street and typical architecture. Near the end are two restaurants that are very good for lunch or dinner. https://pest.vakvarju.com/ and https://www.bohemtanya.com/ both very Hungarian (Bohem tanya maybe a tad more so). Along the way are a few coffee shops and at Kaldy Gyula utca you will find https://naspolya.hu/ a pastry shop with a sort of Hungarian cult following.
At the end you are pretty close to the terminus of the 47/48/49 Tram, which you will need sooner or later.
continued in the first post