Have you ever sipped coffee in a place steeped in history? Welcome to Central Kavehaz in Budapest. Right here before us stands a grand cafe a true Budapest classic. Opened in 1887 this architectural marvel was one of the most advanced cafes of its time. Imagine state-of-the-art electrical lighting ventilation and heating. Zsigmond Quittner designed this beauty. Robert Scholtz’s artwork adorns the ceilings and walls.
Central Kavehaz wasn’t just a cafe. It was a cultural nexus. Its location near the Budapest University Library made it a meeting place for students and the city’s elite. Advertisements announced meetings discussions and even political rallies held within its walls. Did you know that politically motivated fistfights sometimes broke out in the cafe and the adjacent square?
Many important organizations formed here. The Hungarian Socialist Democratic party established its headquarters in one of Central’s rooms by the end of 1918. Other organizations such as the National Association of Unemployed Officers and the National Association of Tobacco Sellers also chose Central as their founding location. The cafe was avant-garde too. It was among the first to feature a local jazz band.
Famous Hungarian writer Frigyes Karinthy developed his six degrees of separation theory here. A large photograph of him sitting in his favorite booth was displayed until 2022. Journalist and writer Gyula Krúdy penned his Sinbad stories within these very walls. Even the 2017 movie Atomic Blonde featured a seduction scene in Central’s bar. The cafe’s logo is clearly visible.
Central Kavehaz survived World War II. Despite being Jewish-owned its Christian manager ensured its continued operation. After the war it was briefly closed then used as a cultural center and even a factory canteen. Later it served as a student club. Today it is once again a thriving cafe.
Step inside Central Kavehaz. Feel the history beneath your feet. Let the echoes of countless conversations inspire you. Here you are not just enjoying a coffee. You’re experiencing a piece of Budapest’s vibrant past. Central Kavehaz is more than just a cafe. It’s a living legend.