The Best Cakes in Budapest and Where to Find Them

There may be no better place than Budapest to spend a leisurely afternoon in a coffeehouse, savoring a slice of cake—or perhaps even a few.

With a fusion of various cultural influences, Budapest’s cake scene offers a delightful array of pastries, tarts, and sweet delicacies.

Gyorgy Ujlaki, a tour guide with Taste Hungary, explains that Hungarian cakes are "inspired by local traditions" yet also infused with flavors from broader European influences.

The Turkish Ottomans, who ruled Hungary in the 16th and 17th centuries, introduced Eastern flavors, while settlers from Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, and Romania brought their own culinary traditions.

"The first cake shop in Hungary opened its doors in the 1720s, 35 years after Hungary's liberation from the Turks," shares Ujlaki.

By the 19th century, cake culture had become an integral part of Budapest’s daily life, with Hungarian cuisine featuring a wide range of pastries—from everyday treats to extravagant delights.

Curious to learn more? Here are the must-try cakes in Budapest—and where you can enjoy them during your visit.

Hungarian Strudel

Strudel is often linked with Austria, but given that Austria and Hungary were once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it’s no surprise that this pastry is also a Hungarian favorite.

At Retesbolt Anno 1926, a charming café in Budapest, strudel takes center stage as the specialty.

The word 'Retes', which means strudel in Hungarian, comes from the term 'réteges'—meaning layered.

They offer three distinct types of strudel: apricot, poppy seed, and Quark, a Hungarian-style cottage cheese.

"This is the real deal – just as a grandmother would make for her grandchildren, following the same recipe, same taste, same quality for the last 200 years," Ujlaki assures.

In Hungary, desserts are typically served cold, and forget the American version with whipped cream or custard—here, strudel is served as it should be, unadorned and speaking for itself.

The apricot strudel offers a light, sweet flavor, perfectly balanced by the delicate, flaky dough.

The poppy seed strudel provides a satisfying crunch and reflects the dish's deep-rooted heritage, as poppy seeds are a beloved ingredient in Hungarian cuisine.

The Quark strudel is perhaps the most irresistible, with its creamy texture and savory-sweet taste that leaves a lasting impression.

"Strudel was never considered high cuisine; it’s a beloved, everyday dish for the people," Ujlaki explains. "It was affordable yet still kept its original, traditional essence."

Where to enjoy it:

Retesbolt Anno 1926, Lehel u. 38, Budapest 1135; +36 1 320 8593

Rigó Jancsi

What do you get when you combine soft chocolate sponge, sweet apricot jam, creamy chocolate mousse, and a dash of romance?

You’re treated to the recipe for Rigó Jancsi, a mouthwatering cake named after the Romani violinist Rigó Jancsi, who famously eloped with the married Belgian Princesse de Caraman-Chimay.

Best enjoyed in an elegant setting, this cake will have you daydreaming about your own romantic escapades.

Experience the cake at Hauer Cukrászda, a historic Budapest café where locals have been enjoying pastries for over a century. In addition to classic treats, Hauer’s talented chefs also craft innovative confections.

The interior is vast and grand, a true reflection of its storied past.

"It started as a single room on the main street, but as popularity grew, they expanded, acquiring more spaces over time. That’s why the layout is a bit irregular," explains Ujlaki.

Just try not to think about the tragic end to Rigó Jancsi’s story—it’s a much darker tale.

"The princess eventually left Jancsi for an Italian waiter in Naples, and he ended up dying poor and forgotten," says Marcell Beretzky, marketing officer at Hauer, sharing the bittersweet tale with Dinogo Travel.

Where to enjoy it:

Hauer Cukrászda, rákóczi út 47-49, Budapest 1088; +36 1 612 1313

Krémes

This indulgent dessert may seem simple, but it’s a perfect balance of crisp pastry and smooth vanilla custard filling.

"It’s somewhat like Napoleon cake, layered with filling," explains Ujlaki. "But instead of multiple layers and fillings, it has just one layer of custard and one of pastry."

Different cafés in Budapest offer their own unique twists on the classic Krémes.

Similar desserts can also be found throughout Europe.

It’s best enjoyed with a cup of coffee while people-watching at one of Budapest's classic cafés—perhaps at Hauer or Auguszt, one of the city’s oldest patisseries.

Where to try it:

Hauer Cukrászda, rákóczi út 47-49, Budapest 1088; +36 1 612 1313

Flódni

Budapest is home to a vibrant Jewish community, and many classic Jewish dishes, including Flódni, have become an integral part of the city’s culinary scene.

Flódni is a beloved Hungarian Jewish cake that is a must-try for any sweet lover visiting Budapest.

At Café Noe, Rachel Raj, one of Budapest's most renowned cake chefs, creates a flawless Flódni—a five-layered pastry filled with poppy seed, apple, walnut, and plum jam.

Raj holds a Guinness World Record for the largest Flódni ever made, serving 1,600 slices at the Sziget festival in Budapest in 2012.

Ujlaki explains that each layer of Flódni carries a symbolic meaning.

"Poppy seed represents prosperity, apple symbolizes wholeness, walnuts stand for health, and the plum jam? Well, it doesn’t have a symbolic meaning, but it sure tastes good!"

Flódni is traditionally enjoyed during the Jewish festival of Purim.

Café Noe is cozy and intimate, the perfect hideaway from Budapest’s cold winter days, offering a warm, delicious treat.

Where to try it:

Café Noe, Wesselenyi u. 13, Budapest 1077; +36 1 787 3842

Kürtös kalács

The streets of Budapest come alive with food stands, where rolls of dough slowly rotate over wood fires, turning golden before being dusted with sugar and cinnamon.

For cake lovers, it’s an irresistible sight – and a bite of Kürtős Kalács won’t disappoint. Its crispy exterior and soft, airy inside make it a true delight.

Originally a festive treat made for weddings and other special occasions, this pastry, also known as Chimney Cake, can now be found on street corners all over Central Europe (in the Czech Republic, it’s called Trdelník).

There’s something especially satisfying about enjoying warm Kürtős kalács on a chilly day.

You can try it at Karavan Street Market in the Jewish district. Located next to the famous Szimpla Kert ruin bar, it’s the perfect snack before or after a night out.

Where to enjoy it:

Karavan, Kazinczy u. 18, Budapest 1075

Esterházy

Named after a prominent noble family, the Esterházy torte is as elegant as it is delicious.

Originating in Budapest in the late 19th century, this layered cake features a rich walnut buttercream and chocolate filling, all topped with a glossy fondant glaze.

"With whipped cream and fondant, this cake can come in various flavors and colors – think lemony or chocolatey," says Ujlaki.

Another must-try cake in Budapest’s iconic cafes. Central Café offers a chance to imagine mingling with the city’s literary giants from the early 20th century, while the opulent New York Café exudes mid-century glamour.

Esterházy is also served at the majestic Café Gerbeaud, where guests can enjoy the stunning chandeliers and marble-and-wood interior in the heart of Budapest’s Vörösmarty square.

During the Soviet era, Gerbeaud and other Budapest cafés were nationalized, renamed, and their quality declined. However, many of them have since been restored to their former fin de siècle glory.

Where to try it:

Café Gerbeaud, Vörösmarty tér 7-8, Budapest 1051; +36 1 429 9000

Dobos

Dobos torte is a quintessential Hungarian layered cake, consisting of rich chocolate buttercream and light sponge, all topped with a glossy caramel finish.

This cake was created by Hungarian chef József C. Dobos, who named it after himself. Dobos sought to craft a dessert with a longer shelf life, which is why the caramel topping was added to prevent the cake from drying out.

After making its debut at the National General Exhibition of Budapest in 1885, the cake quickly gained popularity and remains a fashionable dessert throughout Europe.

It strikes the perfect balance between lightness and indulgence. Try not to go for another slice.

Where to savor it:

Gerbeaud, Vörösmarty tér 7-8, Budapest 1051; +36 1 429 9000

And to wrap up... Tokaji Aszú wine

Cake and coffee make a perfect pair, but for the ultimate Budapest cake experience, enjoy a piece of flaky pastry or a delicate tart with a glass of Tokaji Aszú – a sweet wine made from grapes affected by noble rot (trust us, it tastes far better than it sounds).

The wine takes its name from the Tokaj wine region, which stretches across parts of Hungary and Slovakia.

With its honey-like sweetness and light, airy texture, a glass of Tokaji Aszú is the ideal companion to any Budapest cake adventure.