Jun 2, 2025

Szimpla Kert Budapest

Best-known of Budapest's beergardens

""Szimpla Kert" is hands-down the best known and most popular of Budapest's 'kert'-s('gardens') - courtyards of abandoned buildings transformed!"

Szimpla is hands-down the best known and most popular of Budapest's "kert"-s("gardens") - courtyards of condemned or just abandoned buildings transformed into outdoor summer pubs, originally catering mostly for a young, bohemian clientele. As such, it has all the typical accouterments: crumbling architecture, plain but sturdy benches and tables, beer, totally kooky decor, lots of noise, beer, heavily stickered and graffitied toilets, and beer.

While there are many establishments that follow the same recipe, Szimpla is unique for having its own open-air movie theater, where they often play art movies, sparsely screened documentaries and the like. In recent years, they've also covered part of the venue with a roof to let them stay open all year round, and expanded into the upper floor, where you can also get some hot grub with your drinks.

Recently, I've heard some friends complain that Szimpla is getting too popular and thus too mainstream these days. Well, maybe that's true - sometimes the crowd and the noise does get a bit too much for my tastes -, but it's still more than worth checking out if you're in town. Loud, friendly, visually lush and exciting; a great place to go when the company you desire is more upbeat than sublime.

Also also, Szimpla hosts a farmer's market every Sunday morning, often with live music. If you're planning to do any of your own cooking, check it out!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

About this spot

Kazinczy utca 14

Beers:

HUF

500

202618669

Find your way with 172 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Budapest guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Budapest

The Magic

Tasty Harry Potter experience

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...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Mária

Morozova

Jul 18, 2025

Zoo Cafe

Meet the animals

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.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

by

Mária

Morozova

Jul 18, 2025

Bottomless Lake

Oasis in Buda

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.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Mária

Morozova

Jul 18, 2025

Pál-Völgyi Cave

Get adventurous

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.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Mária

Morozova

Jul 18, 2025

Koller Gallery

A secret garden

The coolest part of the gallery is the secret garden that I cherish for its peace and possibility to experience arts and nature simultaneously.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Mária

Morozova

Jul 18, 2025

Medieval Wall of Pest

The memory of the past

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...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Mária

Morozova

Jul 18, 2025

House of Music

Feel the vibes

You can try out various sizable musical instruments & jump on the inbuilt constructions that produce sounds, and it is accessible outside of working hours.

002-building
Art & culture
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Mária

Morozova

Jul 18, 2025

China Town

Taste & feel China

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.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Mária

Morozova

Jul 18, 2025

The Flood of 1838

Memories on the walls

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.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Mária

Morozova

Jul 18, 2025

Gólya Presszó

Easy way to meet the locals

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.

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Mária

Morozova

Jul 18, 2025

Gellért Hill Playground

Back to childhood

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.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Mária

Morozova

Jul 18, 2025

Tilos a Tilos

Cradle of Budapest underground

The place was a nest of all the alternative folks of Budapest who were hanging out there, criticizing the politics, organizing concerts and discussions.

002-building
Art & culture
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Mária

Morozova

Jul 18, 2025

Heading to Budapest?

172 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

172 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Bars

Our team loves Budapest

Get to know our other Spotters from Budapest

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
32
Made with the 💚 of 489 Spotters.
Filters