It may sound hyperbolical, but in my heart, I know it’s true: Szeráj saved me from certain death while at university. Bewildered by the local cuisine, I had spent about a fortnight eating nothing but bland spaghetti bolognese at the campus cafeteria and felt the end was near when a kindly colleague told me she knew this Turkish place with great salads, everything at affordable prices. An orgy of slightly gaudy greens and yellows, brimming with life from early morning till late at night, Szeráj hasn’t changed a bit since then.
It’s a fast-food restaurant, with all the advantages and trappings of the genre. It’s Turkish, so you’ll get the compulsory döners, chicken and beef, some more exotic kebabs such as Adana or Iskender, lentil soup and meat dishes smothered in vegetables, but their longevity has taught them to cater to the Hungarian palate as well, with breaded fish or cheese landing among the aubergine salads. It’s honest and unfussy, a conveyor belt of quickly dispatched but tasty meals- good food, quickly, as they say.
But Szeráj is also a bit more than just a fast food place. It’s the great leveler of Budapest’s people. In Szeráj you can meet anyone, the hungry student queues along the TV star, the workers from nearby sites mingle with elegantly turned out people coming to the theatre across the road, tipsy revelers share tables with covered ladies and their rambunctious children. An egalitarian utopia with great baklava. Try to beat that.
Find your way with 171 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
It does not look like Hogwarts, but rather a medieval castle where each part has a reference to an event or a place from the books of J. K. Rowling...
by
One of the ideas behind the place is to give a possibility for those who want to adopt an animal to try spending some time with them at the café.
by
There's a myriad of urban legends; claiming that it managed to swallow tanks during WW2 or that after the system change '89 dead bodies were washed ashore.
by
The cave is famous for its funny-shaped dripstones, significant differences in levels & narrow corridors. Let your fantasy run free at the Fairy Tale hall.
by
You can try out various sizable musical instruments & jump on the inbuilt constructions that produce sounds, and it is accessible outside of working hours.
by
The coolest part of the gallery is the secret garden that I cherish for its peace and possibility to experience arts and nature simultaneously.
by
The first wall was erected around Pest in the 13th century, but it was soon deconstructed. Another wall around Pest was built a century later...
by
Don't let appearances fool you, at Monori Center you will find some of the most authentic Chinese restaurants that serve seafood, hot pots, and dumplings.
by
The plaques with water markers set in stone refer to the most devastating flood of March of 1938 when water levels reached up to 2,6 meters high.
by
The greatest part? Here you will see not only happy children of any age but also smiling adults that enjoy the place at least as much as kids, if not more.
by
Check their program, as they have a lot of fun activities ranging from concerts, queer drag shows and performances to board game evenings and conferences.
by
The place was a nest of all the alternative folks of Budapest who were hanging out there, criticizing the politics, organizing concerts and discussions.
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