'Most beautiful café in the world' where thousands of tourists queue for hours

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'Most beautiful café in the world' where thousands of tourists queue for hours
The café in Budapest is hailed as the 'most beautiful in the world' and it's easy to see why
The café was built in an Italian Renaissance style
(Image: Getty)
Picture a café where customers visit for the stunning interior rather than the coffee itself. A venue so magnificent that it draws crowds of Instagram enthusiasts - striking poses for social media acclaim.
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This is the New York Café in Budapest, where the boasting sign outside proclaims it as "the most beautiful café in the world" and it's genuinely difficult to dispute this claim.
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This lavish 125-year-old establishment draws thousands of visitors and photography-obsessed TikTok users who gather here to admire its extravagant rococo styling featuring marble pillars, breathtaking frescoes, and crystal lighting fixtures.
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Picture entering a setting taken directly from a magnificent European Royal residence — picture ornate frescoes, sparkling chandeliers, and imposing marble pillars. It's akin to walking into a time capsule from the luxurious Belle Époque period (which translates to the "Beautiful Age" in French).
Visiting the café is like stepping back in time
(Image: Portia Jones)
The New York Café proves immensely popular amongst tourists, serving approximately 2,000 patrons each day with lengthy queues stretching along the street, reports the Mirror.
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Situated on Erzsébet körút Street, the café originally opened in 1894 and was conceived by Hungarian architect Alajos Hauszmann. It began life as the Hungarian base for the New York Life Insurance Company, whose owners wanted a coffee house within the building.
The café's internal design was executed by Flóris Korb and Kálmán Giergl, who incorporated Italian Renaissance influences throughout. The ceiling features elaborate frescoes created by artists Gusztav Mannheimer and Ferenc Eisenhut.
Hungarian coffee culture
Throughout the 20th century, the New York Café underwent various transformations and served different purposes. In its heyday, the New York Café was the vibrant hub of Budapest's literary and artistic circles. It was a gathering place for writers, poets, and intellectuals to exchange ideas, pen their thoughts, and seek inspiration.
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The café also held a significant position in Hungary's coffeehouse culture, which was a cornerstone of the city's social and intellectual fabric.
Places like the New York Café were the lifeblood of Hungarian coffee culture, where the art of conversation and idea exchange were as valued as the coffee itself.
However, the café's fortunes took a turn with the advent of World War II and the ensuing decades of upheaval. It fell into a state of disrepair and at one point was even turned into a sports goods shop.
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The café was a key location in Hungarian coffee culture
(Image: Portia Jones)
But that's not where the story ends. In 2006, following a painstaking restoration, the New York Café was resurrected, reclaiming its status as an emblem of Budapest's rich cultural legacy.
The New York Café menu offers a blend of Hungarian and international dishes, decadent cakes, and freshly brewed coffee. Afternoon tea for two is priced around €72.50, and main courses vary from €23 to €36.
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It's one of the prime spots to sample Hungarian cakes, including Dobos Torte, a traditional Hungarian cake with layers of sponge and chocolate buttercream topped with caramel; Sacher Torte, a rich chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam; and Opera Cake, featuring layers of almond sponge, coffee buttercream, and chocolate ganache.
The food and drink are served with a creative flair, though opinions vary, and its steep prices often draw criticism from Trip Advisor reviewers.
If you're not bothered about spending a bit more, why not try their 24-carat gold cappuccino, accompanied by Valrhona chocolate and raspberry cake, for an indulgent start to your day.
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The food and drink can be pricey - but it's a unique experience
(Image: Portia Jones)
Location
The Cafe is actually nestled within the historic 5* Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel, a magnificent accommodation in the heart of Hungary's capital.
The 19th-century grandeur and Italian Renaissance style have been seamlessly merged with contemporary elements to provide a luxurious city stay.
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Within this grand and historic building, you'll discover a modern hotel boasting 185 rooms, a cave spa and high-end restaurants.Rooms vary in price and size, ranging from classic and superior to suites, and are elegantly adorned with plush Italian furnishings and sleek mod-cons.
Their gourmet buffet breakfast is particularly noteworthy. It showcases a generous array of locally sourced produce, including pastries, pancakes, cold cuts, cheese, and eggs cooked to order.
Just keep an eye out for those taking selfies.