Beyond the long-time favourites by the Kopaszi Dam, a wave of new spots has recently opened at BudaPart, nestled between office buildings and residential blocks. One warm summer evening, we set off to explore what’s new – tasting everything from gelato and Chinese street food to pizza, and even catching a film at the garden cinema.
We spent a summer evening hopping between seven exciting spots around Kopaszi-gát and BudaPart. The line-up included a standout specialty café, creamy Italian gelato, bold Chinese flavours served with rooftop vibes, top-tier Neapolitan pizza, a dreamy picnic basket packed with treats, burger-and-mocktail combos, and even beer poured with a unique twist. Safe to say, this foodie stroll had a bit of everything.
Cioccolatte – heavenly gelato, bold flavours, and sweet treats with a story
Cioccolatte is already a firm favourite on Pozsonyi út, so we had high hopes for their BudaPart outpost – and it didn't disappoint. You'll find the dessert shop on Buda-part Square, in a more open and relaxed vibe than its Pest-side sibling. Grab a scoop (or two), and within minutes you'll be strolling the lush Kopaszi-gát promenade. Run by Szilvia and Giuliano, this family business brings Italian dessert know-how to Budapest – both their gelato and cakes are made using traditional techniques learned from Italian masters.
(Photo: István Bielik - We Love Budapest)
There’s something here for everyone – whether you're into the classic flavours, love a good sorbet, or are always chasing something a little more adventurous. Cioccolatte always has a surprise or two up their sleeve. From the current line-up, we loved the terra mare , a chocolate sorbet made with seawater sourced straight from Sardinia – its salty kick pairs perfectly with the extra dark chocolate. There’s also crocette , a gelato version of a traditional southern Italian fig dessert, blending fig, walnut, and mandarin peel for a rich, fruity combo. And even the cannolo flavour draws inspiration from its pastry counterpart. As melon season kicks off, expect to see scoops of cantaloupe and watermelon gelato, likely with an extra twist. You can enjoy your gelato in a cone or a takeaway cup – and yes, there’s chocolate drizzle available too.
Terra mare and croquettes (Photo: István Bielik - We Love Budapest)
Alongside the gelato, you’ll often spot classic Italian pastries in the display – from tiramisu to cannoli. On our visit, a true Neapolitan staple made an appearance: Pastiera Napoletana . Its seven strips of pastry on top symbolise the seven ancient streets of Naples, while inside you’ll find a rich wheat cream infused with orange blossom water, candied orange peel, and ricotta. It pairs beautifully with their dark roast coffee, sourced from a small Italian family roastery. There’s also a tiny workshop corner where you can peek in on the magic happening behind the scenes – or simply relax on the cosy terrace, or take your treats for a stroll towards the Danube.
Pastiera Napoletana (Photo: István Bielik - We Love Budapest)
The DAM_n Good Place: specialty brews and matcha moments at Kopaszi-gát
The DAM_n Good Place is exactly where you should head when you're craving a proper specialty coffee – and the good news is, they’re open until 8 pm during summer. The name’s a cheeky play on words, and the coffee really does live up to it. Whether you’re into light roasts or prefer something bolder, you’ll find both on offer here.
(Photo: István Bielik - We Love Budapest)
To go with your coffee, you can grab fresh sandwiches, free-from cakes, baked goods, and a range of drinks – both boozy and alcohol-free. We especially recommend the kombucha-style lemonades for a refreshing twist. One of their July specials is a proper flavour bomb: BBQ chicken strips, cheddar, cucumber, red onion, and lettuce all packed into a soft English muffin. We cooled off with an iced raspberry matcha made with their own raspberry purée, plus a tonic espresso – and of course, we couldn’t resist a delicious cake and a top-tier sandwich on the side. You’ll also find Anjuna’s popsicles on hand for hot days, and a small deli corner stocked with all sorts of goodies.
(Photo: István Bielik - We Love Budapest)
The interior has a cosy, slightly industrial vibe that fits right in with BudaPart’s modern urban surroundings. Thanks to the large windows, it’s the kind of spot you’ll happily sit in even on a rainy day, watching the world go by. On sunny days, the terrace is the place to be – it overlooks the bay and makes for a perfect coffee break setting.
(Photo: István Bielik - We Love Budapest)
Salve: a must for Neapolitan pizza lovers
Varga Giulietta, the owner of Salve, has brought her beloved pizzas – already a hit in Ferencváros and Hello Buda – to BudaPart too. That means you can now enjoy her signature doughy wonders right by the bay: light, airy, and bubbly on the outside, thin in the centre, and made with Italian flour. Each base is rested for 72 hours before being baked to perfection in a 450-degree oven – just two minutes is all it takes to get that beautifully blistered crust.
(Photo: István Bielik - We Love Budapest)
The menu features both classic and gourmet pizzas, with a seasonal special always in the mix too. Don’t skip the salads or the Italian desserts either – they’re worth saving room for. From the regular menu, we tried a prosciutto and rocket pizza, but the real summer star for us was the Pizza Spinaci with spinach – love at first bite, and one we’ll definitely return for. To drink, we had a refreshing orange lemonade and an alcohol-free Peroni. The Insalata Fresca was a generous portion, packed with red and yellow cherry tomatoes, mini mozzarella, olives, and finished with a drizzle of basil pesto.
Pizza Spinaci and Insalata Fresca together are also a very good choice (Photo: István Bielik - We Love Budapest)
At Salve, you can soak in the buzz from the terrace or enjoy the view through their floor-to-ceiling windows – but our favourite spot? The big table in the centre. It feels like gathering at an Italian friend’s place, perfect for long chats and sharing slices with a bigger crew. You can also grab your pizza to go, or order it through your favourite delivery app.
(Photo: István Bielik - We Love Budapest)
Radisson rooftop: traditional Chinese dishes and standout signature cocktails
Shanghai Kitchen sits on the ground floor of the Radisson BudaPart and is also accessible from the street – perfect for popping in for their 3-course business lunch, available on weekdays between 11:30 am and 3 pm. What many don’t know is that the hotel’s 7th-floor rooftop bar is also open to the public, not just hotel guests. The kitchen is led by chef Tamás Jáki, with a focus on truly authentic Chinese cuisine – from ingredients and preparation to the final plating.
Jáki Tamás chef (Photo: István Bielik - We Love Budapest)
Tamás didn’t just get handed a recipe book of Chinese classics – he also trained extensively to master the cuisine. Sourcing truly authentic ingredients was a challenge on its own, and even the plating follows traditional Chinese presentation. We tried the Peking duck served with pillowy bao and crisp veggies, a punchy chilli potato side, and a flavour-packed salmon dish with three kinds of mushrooms.
(Photo: István Bielik - We Love Budapest)
Take the lift up to the 7th floor and you’ll be greeted by panoramic views on both sides – whether you’re sitting inside or out on the terrace. A recent update: on Fridays and Saturdays, you can now enjoy the full Shanghai Kitchen menu up here until 9:30 pm, followed by bar food available until midnight. And don’t miss the cocktails – both the classics and the creative house specials are worth a try. We loved the Sakura , made with Akori Cherry Blossom Gin, raspberry, and lemon – light, citrusy, and perfectly summery, with a creamy egg white foam on top. Another favourite was the Coconut Mirage , a dreamy mix of Bacardi, Bailey’s, and coconut that tastes like a dessert in a glass.
(Photo: István Bielik - We Love Budapest)
Café Ponyvaregény: a picnic basket full of treats
Café Ponyvaregény is a cosy spot to visit both by day and night at Kopaszi-gát. Thanks to the lush surroundings and riverside setting, it’s a popular choice for team-building events and weddings – but it’s just as lovely for a romantic dinner or laid-back family lunch. With a bit of notice, you can also order a custom picnic basket filled with your choice of hot and cold snacks, perfect for two or more people. You’ll find the available picnic options here.
(Photo: István Bielik - We Love Budapest)
Our basket was filled with four sealed jars – chicken liver pâté, aubergine cream, herbed cheese spread, and cheese marinated in olive oil. There was also a fruity lemonade in a glass bottle, a chilled fruit salad, and a generous cold platter featuring quality cheeses, cured hams, and artisanal sausages. You can even request a blanket and some outdoor games to complete your picnic experience.
(Photo: István Bielik - We Love Budapest)
You can enjoy your picnic basket anywhere within Kopaszi-gát – there are plenty of shady green spots to settle down, or you can even take it along to the outdoor cinema. Just make sure to place your order at least one day in advance via phone (+36 20 983 2446) or email (ponyvaregenycafe@gmail.com).
(Photo: István Bielik - We Love Budapest)
Kopaszi Kert: fresh tank beer on tap – straight from the Czech Republic
At Kopaszi Kert, the tank beer isn’t just for show – it’s a whole experience. The Pilsner Urquell comes straight from the Czech Republic and is poured directly into 500-litre copper tanks. From there, it flows through copper pipes straight to the tap, delivering that crisp, fresh taste every time.
(Photo: István Bielik - We Love Budapest)
There’s a special technique behind how the beer is poured here – it takes real skill, and it’s served with exactly three fingers of foam, just as it should be. The result? A fresher, richer flavour with a creamier head than your average pint. It’s the kind of beer you really taste from the first sip.
(Photo: István Bielik - We Love Budapest)
Of course, great beer calls for great food – and Kopaszi Kert delivers. Think fresh fried hake, grilled sausages, homemade lángos, and juicy burgers. On Tuesdays, you can catch live acoustic sets, while Wednesdays bring laid-back folk nights. They also occasionally host kid-friendly events. You can check the full programme here.
(Photo: István Bielik - We Love Budapest)
VakVarjú Beach: a holiday vibe right in the heart of the city
Right at the entrance to Kopaszi-gát, you’ll find the laid-backVakVarjú Beach Bistro with its boat-inspired terrace and open kitchen turning out all kinds of grilled goodness. If you're in the mood for something lighter, try their dip selection served with warm focaccia, or cool off with the elderflower cream soup – topped with gooseberries and homemade cottage cheese bonbons.
(Photo: István Bielik - We Love Budapest)
The open kitchen leans into international flavours, so there’s something for every craving. Think pulled pork quesadilla, VakVarjú’s take on schnitzel with traditional Viennese potato salad, chilli-garlic tiger prawns grilled on a hot plate and served with Caesar salad, or veggie gyoza with coriander-sweet chilli dip, edamame, and pak choi. Whatever you’re in the mood for, you’ll find fresh, quality ingredients and bold flavours on every plate.
(Photo: István Bielik - We Love Budapest)
The drinks menu is just as exciting, with plenty to choose from – whether you’re after a classic cocktail or something booze-free. Their alcohol-free takes on G&Ts, Negronis, and even a strawberry-basil rosé spritz make it easy to sip and stay car-friendly. There are also eight kinds of lemonade on offer – our favourites were the apricot-rosemary and the lavender-sage.
(Photo: István Bielik - We Love Budapest)
Whether you visit BudaPart in the daytime, afternoon, or early evening, you’ll always find a spot to suit your mood – whether it’s for a scoop of gelato, a quick bite, a chilled cocktail, a cold beer, or a relaxed picnic. We explored seven places this time, but the area has even more to offer – from Indian street food and bakeries to rooftop restaurants with a view. It’s the perfect place to unwind with friends or family on a summer evening, and there’s plenty happening all day long – think outdoor workouts, live music, and open-air cinema.
(Photo: István Bielik - We Love Budapest)
There’s no street-level parking at BudaPart, but you can park in the underground garages beneath the office buildings or in the gravel car park just outside the Kopaszi-gát entrance. The area is also easy to reach by bike or public transport.
(Cover photo: István Bielik – We Love Budapest)
Source: What to eat at BudaPart – must-try spots at Kopaszi-gát - English - We love Budapest