New York Café — Restaurant in Budapest

New York Cafe Budapest: Beautiful Interior, Everything Else Falls Short

The Bottom Line Up Front Skip the meal, maybe peek inside for photos, then go literally anywhere else in Budapest for better food, service, and value.

What Actually Happens Here Yes, the interior is undeniably opulent with its marble columns, frescoes, and chandeliers. But here's what the glowing reviews don't tell you: you'll be surrounded by hundreds of tourists constantly taking photos of themselves and each other. The atmosphere feels more like a theme park than a cafe, with people treating tables as photo props while you're trying to eat. The whole experience feels engineered to separate tourists from their money as efficiently as possible.

The Service Experience Our waitress exemplified the condescending attitude that seems standard here. When I politely asked if she spoke English, her response was a sarcastic "I do, otherwise I wouldn't have said good morning to you." Every subsequent interaction maintained this same dismissive tone.

For the prices they charge, this level of rudeness is completely unacceptable. You're not just paying premium prices for the decor—you're paying to be treated poorly by staff who clearly resent having to serve tourists.

The Food Reality The breakfast selection is surprisingly limited for such a famous establishment. I ordered the "American style" pancakes, which were genuinely awful. They arrived drowning in fake maple syrup that tasted artificial and cloying—with no option to control the amount yourself. The pancakes themselves were dense and flavorless. Nothing comes with sides. No fruit, no bacon, no hash browns—just whatever single item you order, usually swimming in their questionable sauces.

For what we paid (easily €35+ per person for a basic breakfast), the food quality was mediocre at best. You can get better pancakes at any decent hotel breakfast buffet.

The Price Reality Check This is where it becomes clear you're in a tourist trap. Simple breakfast items cost 3-4 times what you'd pay elsewhere in Budapest, and the quality doesn't remotely justify it. You're essentially paying a premium to eat subpar food while being surrounded by Instagram photographers.

Better Alternatives in Budapest Budapest has incredible cafe culture with places that offer: Better food at reasonable prices Genuine Hungarian hospitality Actual atmosphere instead of manufactured spectacle Local character instead of tourist theater Try literally any traditional Hungarian cafe in the city center. You'll save money, eat better food, and be treated like a human being.

Final Verdict The New York Cafe succeeds at exactly one thing: looking impressive for photos. Everything else—service, food, value, actual cafe experience—ranges from disappointing to insulting. If you must see it, walk through the hotel lobby area for free photos, then go somewhere else to eat. Don't reward this tourist trap with your money just because travel bloggers keep calling it "the world's most beautiful cafe."

Budapest deserves better representation than this overpriced photo op masquerading as a...

The world's most beautiful cafe! Indeed, beautiful Baroque decor that has been presented most gracefully and without overstepping the mark, something even residential palaces fail to achieve, this cafe will steal your heart at the first sight, once you step in. Stunning flooring, smooth and noiseless strolls, wood, mirrors, gold and glitter, paired with pastel greens and shades here and there, what is not to like. Unfortunately, a thing of Beauty should be joy forever, which is where an experience at the cafe will certainly not last very long. As we entered the cafe, we were greeted most politely by a lovely front staff member who sent us along to her colleague , who again turned out to be lovely, even offered our toddler a baby chair. From that moment on, the actual serving staff who came to took our order seemed less than amused to help guests who had simple questions to ask from the menu such as 'Can we ask what meats you may have in your afternoon tea menu'. She simply nodded in negative stating 'everything you see on the menu is what you get. We do not change menus' . It went downhill from that. On the question of tea/coffee choices, to our 'can we have a refill later/ do you offer soya or oat milk, she answered, 'What coffee would you actually like, Americano, Latte or Cappuccino '. Interestingly, when the ordered menu arrived, she had made the changes herself by taking all meat off and replacing it with cheese. She then shouted 'Hope you're happy now' To be honest, we are not fussy people and we certainly did not go in to get some quick clicks for just being there, but actually to enjoy the whole package. We carried on, enjoyed our coffees and the tea platter that we had, and clapped for the wonderful musicians playing live. Our next nightmare arrived when we wanted to leave, as despite asking thrice for a bill, it took forever. Having been to the 'world's most beautiful cafe', here is my advice to anyone visiting, go in for appreciating the ambiance, the place and not for hogging every corner or walkway because of some petty clicks. This may already have a negative impact on the service men and women who no doubt have a difficult job catering to so many people all day long. To the staff and management though, I would seriously advise some introspection. An experience in something beautiful should be calm, comforting and most helpful, certainly not the opposite of it. With such a big name and prices that aren't your typical next door cafe match, you should be able to cater to different tastes, you should provide piping hot coffee (ours were much more lukewarm than hot) and you should at least try and appear to be paying...

The worst service we have had, It started as soon as we walked in. We were seated and given a menu. After waiting 20 minutes, we were trying to get the attention of a server. When she came over, we decided on a burger, which included a drink and dessert. Our drinks came quickly, and we finished our drinks before the food came out. Not once did anyone come over to offer us another drink. Our food finally arrived after about 30 minutes, which we do not mind if it is made fresh. Our burger arrived at the same time as our dessert, which we thought was strange as we were sitting on a two person table. As I started my burger, I found it well done. Once again, I was trying to get the attention of a server. After waiting for so long, I gave up and just wanted to leave so I ate my burger and as I was finishing the server came over and asked if it good, I replied it was ok but over cooked. As I was about to ask for a drink, she disappeared. By this time, I had enough. Once again, I am trying to get someone's attention for the bill after 10 minutes we finally got a manager to bring us over the bill, firstly we was asked what card we was paying on with I thought was rude. They gave me the bill and saw that a service charge had been added. I asked the manager to remove the service charge as we were unhappy. He said that it was mandatory, and I again said I was not happy to pay this. He asked what the problem was, and I explained about trying to get the attention of anyone. Also, the burger was overcooked as I like mine medium rare, he replied that all the burgers are cooked well done it's just the way they do it. And if I was not happy, I should have told the server, I explained I tried to get a servers attention and was ignored a few times. So I just wanted to eat and leave. He then rudely said I should have gotten up and found someone. In a restaurant you shouldn't have to get up looking for someone. He asked why did I eat the burger if I was not happy, and once again, I told him I was trying to get the attention of someone and gave up, and wanted to leave. He disappeared to speak to other members of staff, and for another 15 minutes, I was ready to walk out. He came back and took the service charge off. I paid and was putting on my coat. He made a comment that next time, don't eat it and find someone. I said there would not be a next time. I have never spoken to so rude and obnoxious. The building is beautiful, and the musicians are brilliant, but the staff are awful and rude. The new york could be an amazing place if the staff...