Many Budapest restaurants offer lunch menus, but few live up to the standards of Lumen: Monday to Friday they offer a combo of one soup (always vegetarian) and two main courses, one meat-based and one vegetarian. Much loved local staples such as pottages or paprikash are combined liberally with elements borrowed from exotic cuisines, say a dash of curry or my personal favourite Italian ribollita. The ‘main menu’ changes seasonally, focusing on readily available fresh ingredients, and there are also several breakfast choices.
Outside the busy lunch hours students, office escapees such as myself and creatives (some working in ateliers hosted by Lumen’s building) lounge around sipping lemonades and Lumen’s own brand of coffee, roasted on the spot in the space behind the counter. Come evening, the beverage of choice becomes a craft beer or a wine, perhaps a spritzer in summer- as with everything here, special attention is paid to the origin and quality of produce, with emphasis on sourcing from local microbusinesses.
The music is carefully curated (by now I’ve grown quite familiar with the preferences of different members of staff), and there is a small concert hall adjacent to the main space which hosts underground concerts and an array of low-key cultural events. Lying just outside the city’s heavily frequented ‘party neighbourhood’, Lumen is the ideal combination of local engagement and cosmopolitan charm, perfect for a delicious lunch, a coffee or a beer with friends or finally submitting that essay I’ve been postponing forever.
Horánszky utca 5
Daily menu:
HUF
1450
204022393
Find your way with 171 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Artificial "Lake Naplás" in Budapest is an unexpected delight where few downtowners or tourists ever venture. It's perfect for interesting nature treks...
by
"Massolit Books & Café" is a coffee shop in an English bookstore. I wrote my 1st novel here, several short stories... I'd miss it the most were I to leave.
by
The concept of Könyv Szekér in Budapest is to save books from being thrown out or destroyed — they are little mobile bookstores on old-school carriages!
by
Auróra in Budapest is a place to create, attend workshops, concerts, parties, rituals... It's a big survivor in the district and it keeps fighting!
by
Szabad Bisztró in Budapest has delicious vegan dishes and local drinks, but it's also associated with local initiatives, as with the terrace out front!
by
Szabó Ervin Library in Budapest has been my shelter many a time. The 100-year-old chairs & sofas create a unique atmosphere for studying or relaxing...
by
At Ignác, the well-thought touches thoroughly selected, often local products co-live nicely with each other, creating a welcoming, charming little space.
by
This small business is owned by a Dutch couple, and they happily offer their traditional toasts and specialities.
by
My go-to is the Diavola pizza (spicy Italian salami), which is baked to perfection, and let’s not forget about the four cheese pasta - a true masterpiece.
by
171 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 171 Insider Tips