Espresso Embassy Budapest – Coffee for connoisseurs

Espresso Embassy is, plainly put, the reason why I drink coffee at all and one of my main arguments for living in Budapest. No kidding, whenever I am abroad and really take fancy to a city, I then ask myself: yes, but do they have an Espresso Embassy? Of course they don’t. The people running Embassy with endless dedication and professionalism have been at the forefront of the specialty coffee revolution in Budapest, first serving their coffees in the space that is today Printa and then moving to Arany János street, into a streamlined, minimalist-industrial space that nevertheless feels intimate and cozy. A space that, to my great satisfaction, is currently expanding, proof that hard work and attention to quality are still rewarded these days.

Ever since it opened, Espresso Embassy has been my reading corner, my office, my favoured meeting spot with friends and a compulsory station for any visitor I take on a tour around the city. I simply love its cosmopolitan crowd of students, academics, creatives, young families, faithful locals, travelers and of course, assorted canines.

When you enter, whether you’re a regular or a newbie, you’re greeted with a smile and friendly banter. The coffee, with beans provided by Hungarian roasters Casino Mocca is relentlessly excellent -- in summer do go for an iced version, you won’t regret it. From the many mouthwatering cakes and pastry products to be had, my personal favourite is the flódni, a Jewish specialty with apples, walnut, poppy seeds and jam.