The waiters in Kéhli can be a bit rough at the edges, eyeing you with a polite aloofness that suggests they expected more of you. Better knowledge of wine, perhaps; a more informed choice of side dish. The gypsy band interrupts their songs with idle chatter, they make plentiful cigarette and soup breaks. Their enthusiasm subsides if you're the only people in the restaurant early on a Friday and have made the beginner’s mistake of coming without cash -- card payments are possible, but obviously not to the band.
As we wait for our orders, lovely food scents escape the kitchen, the cooks bicker loudly, some locals arrive and are automatically served their usual drinks by the wordless waiter. The breeze ruffles the leaves of the tall trees shading the inner courtyard. This is obviously time travel, to the heart of an early 20th-century novel when this part of the world was still safely cocooned in the bosom of a confident empire. A book perhaps written by Gyula Krúdy, the novelist of noble origins whose table of choice is proudly marked in one of Kéhli’s indoors areas. He was a lover of food, drinks and leisure, and his presence hovers over the place like a gentle ghost.
It helps that the food is excellent (the pork medallions with blue cheese sauce are highly recommended), but the best thing about Kéhli, and it comes for free, is a fleeting taste of what it was like to live in the golden age.
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Whether you're seeking a moment to relax or simply admiring the beauty of the area, the square will offer an escape from the chaos of everyday life.
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Take a seat right by the window where you can enjoy your treats with your morning coffee while looking outside at how the world moves at a different pace.
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I make sure to visit this place, at least once per month and always eat the same Gallet cake and drink some coffee or tea from their selections.
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Imagine a coffee with a small doze of mascarpone topping up with an espresso, which is a real delight for your taste buds, and a sprinkle of cocoa powder.
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This is a family-owned business, where the food tastes homemade. Every meal you choose feels like your family cooked it with so much love.
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This place might seem a bit retro to the people who pass by, but one thing is certain: some things are always great, no matter how much time passes.
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You can find many different kinds of cheesecakes here but one standout recommendation is the cottage cheese and raspberry, a unique Hungarian taste.
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Tortuga és Pohánka blends Mexican and Hungarian flavors in Budapest’s VII. District, offering 100% sourdough bread and authentic food made with heart.
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"Csendes Vintage Bar & Café" in Budapest means 'quiet' but the name is a bit misleading - it's a buzzy ruin bar without the rains & a comfortable eatery...
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176 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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