Ideally, you have all the time in the world to have a comfortable breakfast, but we all know that in reality, especially for late risers, mornings simply fly by. So, what is to be done when you are in a hurry — to class, work, or perhaps to catch the airport bus (I didn’t put this here by chance — the Kálvin square stop is only five minutes away) but don’t want to compromise on quality?
The answer is you drop into Budapest Baristas on Múzeum körút. Originally mostly a specialty coffee shop (as their excellent logo testifies), they have gradually specialized in a large variety of quick but tasty breakfasts, both savoury and sweet. The omelettes, sunny-side-up and scrambled eggs can be made more adventurous with several extra ingredients, such as bacon, goat cheese or salmon; there are fruit and yoghurt bowls for vegetarians, several types of sandwiches and my sinful favourites, American pancakes, which I always plan to have with seasonal fruit, and end up having with Nutella.
While the focus may have shifted a little, the coffee has remained excellent and, should you be lucky enough not to be in a rush, you are of course more than welcome to enjoy it at a leisurely pace, together with a cake (the offer changes daily, the staff is glad to recommend something for you, if asked) while perhaps plotting a visit to the Hungarian National Museum and its recently renovated gardens, situated right across the road.