Image by Eszter Szilva

This is a place which you’d probably never come across accidentally, unless you get lost on your way to the nearby Children’s railway which is a popular spot for relaxing. Located in Hegyvidék district up in the hills of Buda, Moholy-Nagy University of Arts and Design (MOME) is outside the regular path of tourists, but worth a trip, especially if you’re interested in arts and design. Or just want to discover the greener side of Budapest which makes a striking contrast to downtown’s bustle.

The campus is a nice park, which is full of surprises. No wonder, as there are lot of inspiring artists here. You can bump into photos or other art objects randomly displayed. Just as every university buffets, MOME’s canteen (open to the public) is also noisy, people sit by their laptops or chat with each other. The red wooden benches and the industrial design makes this place a bit similar to the popular bars in the Pest side. The food comes in menus, or you can order pizza as well. The walls are full of design related program flyers which might help if you’re up to an exhibition or a party. The place also functions as a café with a nice terrace decorated by colorful graffitis.

The canteen is actually the ground floor of the dorm, a building which reminds me more of a guest house in the mountains than a regular university building. It’s a perfect place to have a break and absorb the laid-back atmosphere.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
MOME Kantin | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Menu from HUF 650
Zugligeti út 9 | Outer Buda
Mon – Fri 08:00 – 22:00

Image by Eszter Szilva

Papa Gyrosa (Papa’s Gyros) is a tiny buffet, offering Arab food and sweets. As opposed to Szeráj which is attractive because of its central location, Papa is relatively hidden, small and cozy. And it offers delicious food, of course. Papa’s is located in Lövőház street, a recently refurbished pedestrian area of Buda within a stone’s throw from Millenáris park.

I’m a fan of this eatery because besides the regular gyros (or döner, as you like) which either comes in a pita or on a plate, they serve various dishes with a Middle Eastern flair. Even if it’s outside my regular route, I often cross Margit bridge with my bike to taste Papa’s delicious Arab meal which is not so easy to find at this price in Budapest. The spicy biryani is made with chicken, almonds and raisins and I never miss maklube, a traditional rice pilaf with eggplant and pomegranate. Meat lovers will appreciate kebab which is served with a hearty tomato sauce.

My extra favorite thing however are chick peas which I’m happy to find in many variations, for example with bulgur or in a parsley salad. If I’m lucky, I jump in on days when chick peas with tomato are on the menu.

The atmosphere is warm and friendly, the staff is ready to have a chat with the guests. All this makes Papa’s a popular place in the neighborhood: kids coming home from school or people from the nearby offices flock here to get their daily gyros.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Papa Gyrosa | Snacks, Restaurants (Arab) | Gyros in pita HUF 600
Lövőház utca 24/b. | Outer Buda | +3617851116
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 21:00, Sat 10:00 – 20:00, Sun 11:00 – 19:00

Image by Miklos Zsamboki

Memento Park – or Szoborpark (“Statue Park”), is a depository for communist-era public statues.

Located on the very fringes of Budapest, you should allocate quite a bit of travelling time to getting there and back, or catch the once-a-day direct bus that leaves at 11:00 from Deák Ferenc Metro station and goes back to the city at 13:00 (or just drive).

Lots of people get a kick out of seeing these monumental statues in their new, “harmless” environment, but given nice enough weather, the park is also a good spot to get away from the city’s concrete for a bit.

Just outside the main entrance, there’s a barrack where they sometimes have temporary exhibits as well as some permanent information on the 1956 revolution and the 1989-90 change into democracy.

Definitely check it out, as there’s also a movie theater inside, showing a subtitled documentary called “Life of the Agent.” It’s a compilation of actual black-and-white training videos filmed by and for the communist secret police, teaching you how to conduct proper house searches, how to follow someone unnoticed, how to enlist someone as an informant, and other similar skills. You can also buy the movie on DVD at the ticket office, and it’s awesome.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Memento Park | Art & culture | Full-prized ticket HUF 1500
Balatoni út / Szabadkai utca | Outer Buda | +3614247500
10:00 – till sunset daily

Image by Miklos Zsamboki

The Hungarian Museum of Science and Technology is a place you’re unlikely to find on your own. Not only because it’s located a bit out of the way, but also because, well, would it occur to you to check out three large halls’ worth of machinery if I wasn’t prompting you?

When I first visited with some friends, I immediately fell in love with the place. What you have here is three separate exhibits, each in its own hall:one full of scientific instruments (telescopes, clocks, geodesic and meteorological machinery, etc.); one dedicated to engines of all sorts from steam through petrol to an actual fighter jet engine; and one – which I find the most interesting – for household electronics from the 20th century.

Among other cool stuff, this last gallery holds part of an ancient, room-sized Ural 2 computer; the first Hungarian robot toy, a giant ladybug; and a Hungarian invention whose idea was not patented because of the inventor’s boss’ incompetence, got stolen and later became the 3.5 floppy disk. You’ll definitely want a tour guide to point out the special items for you.

It’s really poetic to see all these man-made items collected and displayed as if they were works of art or wonders of nature. It’s also a great way to build up geek cred.

Practical note as of now, it’s a bit hard to get an English-speaking guide to the exhibits. To arrange for one, you should call 3612044092 at least 3-4 days (or preferably a week) ahead.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Országos Muszaki Múzeum | Art & culture | Ticket adults HUF 600
Kaposvár utca 13-15 | Outer Buda | +3612044095
Tue – Sat 10:00 – 16:00

Image by András Nagy

You’d better be prepared for long queues because this confectionery attracts people from all across the city. No wonder, the family Daubner has been serving the needs of the clientèle for several decades since they moved to Budapest at the end of the 1950s with excellent pastries, cakes, parfaits and ice cream.

You shouldn’t miss the ice cream in sweet waffle (no extra charge) but don’t forget to pay first, keep the receipt and hand it over when asking for your favourite taste. For those with a “salty tooth” there’s an impressive choice of “pogácsa”, traditional Hungarian pastry. Most guests come here to choose and pick up their favourite stuff after paying since the whole store is set up to serve as a takeaway.

You’ll find some benches outside but beware, the street features pretty heavy traffic during the day. There is also some room inside to eat what you have asked for. The previous opening times have changed, now we can enjoy Daubner on Mondays too.

Located a bit far from down town you might want to combine this visit with a walk around the nicer parts of Óbuda or a hike to Hármashatár-hegy.

See more photos here.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Daubner Confectionery | Snacks | Pork greaves pogácsa/kg HUF 1450
Szépvölgyi út 50. | Outer Buda | +3613352253
09:00 – 19:00 daily