From my photos at Flickr Produced by Kayakman Media

Café Alibi is quickly becoming a favorite place ... and that's saying something considering that Budapest is known for its great cafés. Small tables, cozy nooks, and soft lighting create a relaxing and intimate atmosphere that encourages you to unwind, talk long, and enjoy. And unlike some cafés, Alibi has the menu to match. From the milkshake with fresh fruit to the coffees to the main courses, everything we sampled was superb. It's easy to see why the café boasts that "there are so many satisfied and faithful customers, who can really feel that the Café Alibi is their haunt."

This rather new place (it opened in 2000) is on Egyetem Tér which is between Váci utca and Kalvin Tér so even its outdoor seating has a great neighborhood feel to it. Check out their website for a glimpse at their menu, but sign up for their newsletter for a heads-up on the weekly specials--plus you get a free coffee.

For more information visit the official website: Café Alibi

From my photos at Flickr Produced by Kayakman Media

Tucked away on a side street just north of the Hungarian National Museum is a modest little café that won't take a big bite out of your wallet--unlike some of the more famous cafés just a block or so away. And while the selection at Caffé Novo may be smaller, it still offers sandwiches (less than 400 HUF) and salads for a light meal. But more importantly, as the café is part of the Italian Culture Center, it serves an excellent espresso and cappuccino (around 300 HUF). And of course, there's also Italian ice cream and other desserts to complete the meal. Make sure you peruse the Italian books (for sale) in the case that lines one wall topped with posters and the colorful collection of art that covers the other. The friendly staff speaks Italian and some English. So if you're in the neighborhood of the national museum and want a place with quality food at a reasonable price, with a bit of Italian flavor, then make sure you take a stroll down the recently re-vamped Bródy Sándor utca.

For more information visit their website: Istituto Italiano di Cultura

From my photos at Flickr Produced by Kayakman Media

Let's jump straight to the point with this one ... the food here was delicious! Well worth every forint, unlike some of the cafés just up Castle Hill where you'll pay more and get less. Located just a few yards from the Castle District's southern steps, Tabáni Terasz is easily accessible by tram (#18 and #19) and bus. And considering this semi-prime location in the oldest section of Buda, we're surprised that this restaurant/coffeehouse/wine cellar is not listed in any of our guidebooks, because it should be. Especially considering that the last vestige of the Taban district can be found right here in the nearby Tabán Parish Church and the historically protected building (built in the last half of the 1700s) on the corner of Aprod u. 10 and Dobrentei u. 9. In fact, off of Tabáni Terasz's courtyard terrace is a small museum dedicated to district's days gone by.

The restaurant was opened in 2002 to "reawaken the romantic and gastronomic pleasures of the Taban." Here you'll find four distinct sitting options: The outdoor terrace with a view of the Castle District and Gellért Hill, the cozy indoor café, the courtyard shaded by a 200 year-old tree has a grill terrace and cocktail bar, and the wine cellar. Visit the website Tabáni Terasz for further details on its history, the menu, its party service, and more.

Our choices, as seen in the SplashCast, were the thyme chicken breast in garlic butter served with spinach salad and English mustard dressing, tomato cream soup with spinach and mozzarella crepe, cucumber salad, and for dessert, apple pie with walnut tatar and vanilla ice cream accompanied by an espresso. Didn't we say it was delicious?

From my photos at Flickr Produced by Kayakman Media

When you're ready to splurge on a treat you may want to visit Gerbeaud Café. This is not the spot to order a simple kavé--unless of course you prefer a basic drink to go with any one of the dozen of desserts the café offers. And as Gerbeaud has a long reputation of having some of the best traditional Hungarian pastries passing on dessert would be a shame.

But Gerbeaud is not known just for its pastries, it is one of the oldest and largest cafés in Europe. Since opening in 1858, it has expanded and now includes a full restaurant, catering and banquet hall, pub, confectionary, and coffeehouse--all together spanning the width of a city block (Gerbeaud Ház). Indoors you are surrounded by cultured nostalgia, but a seat outdoors may give you free entertainment. The café is in the wide open Vörösmarty tér at the end of Vaci utca (or the other end of the shopping street from the Central Market) which is often the stage for musicians, events, and dance groups. If no entertainers are on hand you can people watch as the café is right by the Földalatti station (M1 Metro) and across the tér is a lovely statue and small park that is also a tourist draw. Of course being in the heart of the city and surrounded by other tourist attractions, this is not the cheapest place for a bit of refreshment, (coffee drinks range from 610 - 1,900 HUF, desserts 300 - 800 HUF), but still a must at least once if you can afford it.

For more information visit their website: Gerbeaud Café

From my photos at Flickr Produced by Kayakman Media

Founded in 1887, Centrál Café (Centrál Kávéház or Central Coffeehouse) got its name because it is in fact in the center of Budapest and surrounded by many cultural institutions. It has managed to survive these past 100 years by adapting to the times and the needs of its patrons. It began as an “espresso” bar, then became a red pepper shop, university cafeteria, student club, and, in the 1990s, a casino.

In 2000, it was the first classic coffeehouse that reopened after the fall of communism. Today, as in its early history, journalists, actors, artists, and professors are among the regulars who enjoy Centrál Café's quaint interior and bow-tied waiters. Besides offering a classic charm, the menu is also full of traditional Hungarian and European deserts and coffees. To accompany our excellent cappuccinos we chose the Dobos torte, which was well worth the 600HUF. If you happen to be downtown in the evening, you may want to stop by as they regularly have musical entertainment. We look forward to returning and enjoying the music, as well as a dinner off their recently opened restaurant menu.

In comparison to some of the other historical cafés downtown, it is of interest to note that the wait staff is friendly and the bathrooms are free.

For more information visit their website: Central Café