"A Parisian-style coffeehouse by City Hall serving French classics and chicken paprikash since 2004 — book the terrace for an easy first date."
About Gerlóczy
There is a bronze statue on the little square outside, Károly Kamermayer, the first mayor of unified Budapest, and in summer Gerlóczy's terrace spreads out beneath it. Inside is a Parisian-style coffeehouse with a soaring ceiling, leather banquettes, round marble tables and formally dressed waiters, a few steps from City Hall in District V. It opened in 2004 and reopened in 2022 after a refresh, and it runs all day, breakfast through dinner. The menu pairs French bistro classics with Hungarian staples such as chicken paprikash.
The Kitchen
Gerlóczy trades on being an institution rather than a chef's showcase, and the kitchen plays it straight: reliable French bistro classics alongside Hungarian comfort cooking, served from breakfast through to a late dinner. The all-day French breakfast is a fixture, and the chicken paprikash is the dish to order if you want the Hungarian side of the menu done properly. Mains land roughly 4,500 to 7,900 HUF, which buys atmosphere as much as food in this part of town. A boutique hotel occupies the floors above, so the café doubles as a lobby for guests. For the wider city, see the top 10 restaurants in Budapest, the Budapest dining guide, and our best French restaurants worldwide.
The Room
The room is the reason to come: a high-ceilinged historic coffeehouse with leather banquettes, round tables and the unhurried hum of a place where people read the paper over a long coffee. Sound stays conversation-easy, the light is warm and soft, and the service is formal in the old central-European way. In the warm months the action moves outside to the terrace on the quiet square, presided over by the Kamermayer statue. Dress is smart-casual; tables are close but comfortable.
Best for a First Date
Book Gerlóczy for a first date because it is warm, characterful and easy to talk in. The historic coffeehouse room flatters without intimidating, the all-day menu means you can meet for a long breakfast or a relaxed dinner, and the prices stay sane for a date that might or might not run long. In summer, ask for a terrace table on the square. Order the chicken paprikash or a French classic and let the room do the rest. For more, see the best restaurants for a first date and the Budapest dining guide.
Not for
Not for a cutting-edge tasting menu or a quick grab-and-go. Gerlóczy is a sit-and-linger coffeehouse trading on atmosphere and classics, not on innovation.
Frequently Asked
Is Gerlóczy in Budapest worth it?
Yes, for atmosphere and an easy all-day meal in the centre. Gerlóczy is a Parisian-style coffeehouse a few steps from City Hall in District V, open since 2004 and refreshed in 2022, serving French classics and Hungarian staples like chicken paprikash. Mains run roughly 4,500 to 7,900 HUF. Go for a relaxed breakfast, a first date or a coffee, rather than for cutting-edge cooking.
What should I order at Gerlóczy?
Order the all-day French breakfast or the chicken paprikash, the two things the kitchen is known for. The breakfast is the classic move, served well into the day, while the paprikash is the strongest of the Hungarian dishes. Round it out with a coffee and cake in true coffeehouse fashion. See the Budapest dining guide for more local picks.
Does Gerlóczy have a terrace?
Yes. In the warm months the café spills out onto a quiet terrace on Gerlóczy square, beneath the bronze statue of Károly Kamermayer, Budapest's first mayor. It is the most sought-after seating, so book ahead for summer evenings. Inside, the historic high-ceilinged coffeehouse is the draw the rest of the year. The café is open from 7:30am to 11pm daily.
Do I need to book Gerlóczy?
For coffee you can usually walk in, but for dinner and especially the summer terrace, book ahead. Reservations run through OpenTable or the café's own site. As a central, well-known spot with a boutique hotel above it, Gerlóczy stays busy, so an evening table is worth securing in advance. Dress is smart-casual and the kitchen serves all day.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Gerlóczy
Book via OpenTable or gerloczy.hu. Open 7:30am–11pm daily; the summer terrace books out first.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
AddressGerlóczy utca 1, 1052 Budapest (District V)
NeighbourhoodBelváros (District V)
CuisineFrench-Hungarian Café
PriceMains roughly 4,500–7,900 HUF; all-day menu
Dress CodeSmart-casual
SeatingHistoric coffeehouse, leather banquettes, summer terrace
ReservationBook ahead for dinner and the terrace; walk-ins for coffee
