We discovered a boat in one of Budapest’s ruin bars

Beguiling Budapest

On our first visit to Budapest, pronounced “Budapesht”, with an “sh”, Rick and I wandered through the “main” tourist sites of the city. This trip we were determined to find some off the beaten path “5 Senses” and we did!
Elvezze a varost!

1. As it turned out, our neighbors were in Budapest days before us, so they sent us on a scavenger hunt through the Ruin Bars of the city. Built in the old Jewish quarter, these bars utilized the ruins of abandoned buildings left to decay after World War II. Finding yourself in the middle of a hip, funky, and artsy bar bustling with crowds talking and laughing, you feel like you are drinking at a local vintage store. Everything is old. It’s eclectic. It feels like you just raided an antique store and placed it all in a tiny space. Rooms have mismatched chairs and bicycles hanging from the ceiling. Graffiti fills the walls. One seating area was a cut off footed bathtub with a cushion and a Singer sewing table for your drinks. Our scavenger mission was to search for the car which was cut in half and the boat which was in a courtyard. And we found both of them! There are numerous ruin bars in Budapest and you definitely have to discover some! Start with Szimpla Kert, Kazinczy utca, 14.

2. Wandering the streets, we noticed a lovely red building, Spinoza Cafe.The cozy atmosphere and friendly staff made a memorable impression. Also, the Magyaros baranygulyas, or hungarian goulash soup, was so tasty. I would go back tomorrow. Dob utca, 15

3. The Great Market Hall is a massive iron structure that is not to be missed. With grocery stalls on the first floor, and dining and clothing on the second, this makes for a great stop for a snack. We feasted on kolbasz es burgonya, sausage and fried potatoes. Yum!
Korosy Jozsef utca, 7

4. Witnessing a winding line of people outside an ice cream shop, we watched as customers emerged with silly grins and smiling faces. We had to discover what this was all about. Gelarto Rose creates gelato in the shape of a rose. You choose the flavors and they swirl the small spoonfuls into a rose shape while you watch – and then you eat! It is located right on the square by St. Stephen’s Basilica. Szent Istvan ter, 3.

5. Another great discovery was the Cake Shop, a sugar treat with delicious aromas permeating the entire store. Walnut Cake is their specialty. Jozsef Attila utca, 12.

6. Brody House is one of our favorite lodging discoveries. Located in the central palace district of the city, this boutique hotel features rooms named after former artists-in-residence that showcase their work as well as upcycled antique furniture. It was a perfect location for discovering the flavors of this unique city. Brody Sandor utca, 10.

Gelarto Rose delicious gelato rose creation