I went looking for the best whiskey sour ever, and the answer was, like in those old legends about the meaning of life, right under my nose: in Boutiq’bar the proportion of whiskey and sour is always right, the egg foam has perfect thickness and consistency, and no one frowns when I ask for a smoky Irish whiskey. The best time is the early evening, when you enter from the blazing sun of Paulay Ede street, the air inside cool and fragrant with spices, cardamom, cloves and basil, the light a muted caramel orange, as if the sun outside were filtered through the body of a Negroni.
It’s the kind of place where you can come with friends but also alone and find good company. The kind of place you imagine James Bond dropping in for a Martini, shaken not stirred, or Philippe Marlowe slowly sipping a gimlet, thinking about death and forgiveness. Hemingway could have scribbled a quick short story in one of the brighter corners, if he found a friend to lend him some cash (and cash only, cards are not accepted).
Besides the much-loved classics, new mixes are dreamt up seasonally, such as the recently debuted daring but fabulous Sicilian gimlet with olive oil, or the ever more popular Budapest Barbeque, mixing gin with touches of peach, maple syrup and cranberry. You can also kick off the evening with some Hot Turkish shots, but remember: in Boutiq you should get drunk on life, not alcohol.
Find your way with 172 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Ligeti Bolt, a zero-waste pioneer in Budapest, offers grains, snacks, and more for refill. Shop eco-friendly, bring your jars, and embrace a conscious lifestyle!
by
The "Hungarian Treasury" in Budapest is a building I show to all my guests. Its secessionist art nouveau style is reminiscent of Antoni Gaudí...
by
The true star of Vivina’s brunch menu is the porridge—comforting, nourishing, and served with fresh berries and toasted nuts, it’s one of the best porridges in town!
by
"Lion's Locker" in Budapest is a cute family-run cafe where I can stay all day. The staff is all wonderful - and they know how to make almond milk foam!
by
"Arán Bakery Budapest" fuels my dreams with sourdough bread like my grandmother made it and delicious cinnamon rolls...
by
"Sport Bisztró" in Budapest is a pleasantly familiar, well-oiled haunt that sticks to the proverb 'healthy mind in a healthy body!' Great sports bar, too.
by
"Nos a Hely" is a pop-up vintage shop in Hungary - they have a carefully curated selection of vintage porcelain and other local items. Great for gifts!
by
"Pogány-torony", or Pagan Tower, in Budapest, is one of the city's strangest buildings, with a Gothic folk-tale-meets-Tolkien charm...
by
"Szeráj Turkish Restaurant" in Budapest, but that's not all! This place is the great leveler: here you can meet anyone, from hungry students to TV stars...
by
"Kéhli" Restaurant in Budapest not only has excellent food and gypsy bands -- the best thing about it is that you get a taste of life in the golden age...
by
The Japanese garden hidden in a leafy corner of Zugló. It was created in 1928 by Márton Varga and followed Japanese principles as much as possible...
by
172 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 172 Insider Tips