The best multi-purpose places in the Jewish Quarter

When walking in the historical Jewish Quarter in Elizabethtown, the seventh district of Budapest, you will find tiny eateries, cafès and sweet stores where tables are usually on the street level of the store and in the front area of the gallery, whereas behind a counter, desserts, sandwiches, bagels, fruit and veggie juices are made fresh every day, excellent quality coffees and teas are served, and almost always these places come with a flick: stairs lead you to the boutique part of the super cool vintage store for instance, where tastefully selected clothes, accessories, and other trinkets await you just like in Cydonia in Akácfa utca 37-39. Best choice for chilly winter days to have a break over a steaming cup of tea combined with a little treasure-hunting. Or next to the great cafè experience, in Nagy Diófa utca 30, you find yourself in one of the most atmospheric and excellent book stores I have ever been to: Massolit. They keep popular and academic literature as well. They try to be more unique by collecting books with subjects that are difficult to find, for example some rare Eastern European literature, Israeli and Middle Eastern studies, Holocaust studies, Jewish studies, Jewish literature, Antisemitism, African-American studies, Progressive Political science, Sociology, Linguistics, Cultural studies, Literary biographies, Literary criticism, Gender and Women’s studies, among many other.  Dictionaries, travel books and even children books are also on the shelves. This place is motivating and relaxing at the same time with a “secret” garden in the middle of the city, which is a real gem from spring to autumn…

Király utca also has one of my favourites very close to Deák Ferenc tér. It is the combo of a florist, a design store and an excellent inner courtyard cafè for the sunny days: Arioso. A small, friendly place where you can sit down in the middle of your guided tour ?  for some of their excellent delicacies and have some peace and quiet away from the rush of the street.

Every season has got its own best-choice places in this neighbourhood where you are always welcome as you were a regular guest, even if it’s your very first time being there. Do you like such experiences? Let me personalise your guided tour and enjoy a different face of the area as well.