While I like to think of myself as "Mr. Moderation", this is yet another admission that I'm in love with yet another alcoholic beverage: the traditional Hungarian spirit, pálinka, but not just any pálinka.

Házi pálinka
My place, before drifting off to sleep

It was such a retro feeling when we entered the Maros étterem és söröző I felt like I'd walked into Budapest circa 1990. The real bonus lies at the back of the joint in their beer garden.




Maros Restaurant and Beerhall
District XII.
Maros u. 16.
Tel: 212 3746

Follow me and I will introduce you to the magic experience of CaféNegro tonight!

First: it is located in one of the most beautiful squares in town. If you look out of the window you can see the Basilica of Pest and the wide open square with the surrounding buildings.

If you're looking to chug down some big beers all by yourself, I recommend the "Cat Stone" - it made me go meow.

Macskakő Drinkbár
District I
Fiáth János utca 8
Tel: +36 1 2123196

For a 42-year-old I'm living in a throwback situation of sorts, so it seems appropriate that I should take my youthful flatmates under my wing for a journey back into the dark dark past and get them drunk off of their asses. Marxim seemed an appropriate place for this.

Marxim Pizzeria-Pub
Budapest, II., Kisrókus u.23.
Open: 12 - 01, weekends 12 - 02, Sundays 18 - 01

Everyone tells visitors to Budapest to go to Liszt Ferenc square, but what they don't tell you is that it's full of poseurs and snooty nouveau riche types. Not to mention that many of the joints on the strip are mediocre and overpriced.

Balettcipő Eszpresszó
1065 Hajós utca 14
Tel: 269-3114

Budapest's nightlife is expanding again according to an article on the Hungarian portal Index. More themed bars are coming, and even more or on their way. Budacast contributor Ágnes Emri has a roundup of chillin' rooftop joints (and more) that you can enjoy in Budapest as the summer winds down.

The Csészényi Kávézó serves up a little romance and a rich cup of joe.

Csészényi Kávézó
1013 Budapest
Krisztina krt. 34.

Kópé terasz
District VI
Nyugati tér - on the terrace of the Skála Metro department store across from Nyugati train station

Some of Hungary's most famous poets and writers used to frequent cafes like the New York in Budapest and pay their tabs with a poem or a piece of prose. Alas, those days are over at the Cafe No York.

New York Café

A very weird coincidence coupled with a bit of rainy weather made for a magical night at the Menta Terasz.

Menta Terasz
1022 Budapest
Margit krt. 14.
(a short walk from the 4-6 tramstop on the Buda side of the Margaret bridge)

CORVIN TETŐ
On top of the Corvin Áruház
District VIII
Blaha Lujza tér
(look for the Kaisers supermarket sign; entrance on Somogyi Béla utca)

The Cafe Cream Amarcord has turned a little storefront with an identity crisis into an alluring meeting place from which you can watch the world go by.

Cafe Cream Amarcord
1015 Budapest
Hattyú u. 2
(A short walk towards the Danube from the Mammut Shopping Center)

Tips on where to sup a cup of coffee in Budapest courtesy of Bradt Travel Guides

Café Creol
5th District
Roosevelt tér 7-8 (entrance on Zrinyi utca)