Unofficial concept preview — made for Café ZsivágóSample
CAFÉ ZSIVÁGÓBUDAPEST · PAULAY EDE U. 55
+36 30 212 8125

CHAPTER ITHE LETTER

A LETTER FROM BUDAPEST

Dear traveller,

A rye slice of Tsarist Russia,
in the heart of Budapest.

— Fodor's

An old-world café and bar behind a red door on Paulay Ede Street — antique furniture, small round tables, an old piano in the back room, and nowhere else in the city quite like it.

4.5from 1,921 Google reviews
Read the card Plan your visit
The antique-filled salon at Café Zsivágó, with small tables below its wooden gallery.
THE SALON, FROM THE GALLERY

CHAPTER IITO DRINK & TO EAT

The Card

Drinks first — this is a drinking house with a small, good kitchen. The card, as it stands:

A pot of tea and cups on a small lace-covered table beneath a painting.
TEA IN THE FRONT ROOM

COFFEE & TEAI—VIII

  1. I

    Coffee Vodka, Russian Style

    the house signature — coffee, poured the Russian way

  2. II

    Turkish Coffee

    served the traditional way, with the tray

  3. III

    Irish Coffee

    whiskey and cream over hot coffee

  4. IV

    Cappuccino

    the daytime regular

  5. V

    Hot Chocolate

    a winter warmer

  6. VI

    Rooibos

    the red bush tea

  7. VII

    Kombucha

    lightly sparkling fermented tea

  8. VIII

    Puppycino

    for four-legged guests

Wine and the café's brown and gold printed card on a lace tablecloth.
THE HOUSE'S OWN CARD

FROM THE BARIX—XII

  1. IX

    Tipsy Bambi

    the house cocktail

  2. X

    Russian Champagne

    sparkling wine, Russian style

  3. XI

    Local Wines

    Hungarian wines by the glass

  4. XII

    Draught Beer

    local beer, on tap

A glass of draught beer against the café's floral wallpaper.
ON DRAUGHT

A LITTLE TO EATXIII—XVI

  1. XIII

    Pirog

    the house-baked Russian pie

  2. XIV

    Empanada

    a little savoury pastry

  3. XV

    Manouche

    the Levantine flatbread

  4. XVI

    Tiramisù

    coffee-soaked, cocoa-dusted

Two golden house-baked pirog pastries served on a white plate.
PIROG, FROM THE HOUSE OVEN

CHAPTER IIIBEHIND THE RED DOOR

The Rooms

Step inside the Russia of Doctor Zhivago. Antique furniture, floral wallpaper and small round tables fill a salon on two floors, joined by a wooden gallery. There is always another detail to notice.

In the back room, an old piano waits for a guest to play. Small traditional bands and live music are part of the room's life, too. By day, a quiet café where freelancers work; by evening, a bar for the locals.

Listed by Lonely Planet and described by Fodor's as a rye slice of Tsarist Russia in the heart of modern Budapest, Zsivágó is a place for a drink and a little food — with the drinks very much the main event.

The long salon with antique chairs and lace-covered tables beside tall windows.
THE LONG ROOM
The old upright piano in the warmly lit back room.
THE PIANO IN THE BACK ROOM
A traditional samovar beside the piano and antique furniture.
THE SAMOVAR KEEPS ITS PLACE
A view down from the wooden gallery to the café's small round tables.
FROM THE GALLERY, DOWN
The wooden bar with glasses, bottles and antiques on display.
THE BAR
A cup of coffee glowing in the warm light of a fringed antique lamp.
UNDER THE FRINGED LAMP

CHAPTER IVA FEW WORDS SENT BACK

Postcards from Guests

Little notes from those who found their way here.

VIA
TRIPADVISOR
Stumbled on the Cafe Zsivago by accident. Walking through the door was like stepping through time.

— TripAdvisor

VIA
TRIPADVISOR
Only Lara Antipova was missing

— TripAdvisor

VIA
GOOGLE
Szivago Café is honestly the prettiest café I've been to in Budapest. It's like stepping into a time machine — super retro, filled with old furniture, quirky details everywhere, and so cozy you'll never want to leave.

— Google review

VIA
GOOGLE
Fantastic bar filled with antiques. Extensive menu from coffee to beer to cocktails and wine. Super chill vibe.

— Google review

VIA
TRIPADVISOR
Lovely cafe/bar with character and ambience.

— TripAdvisor

CHAPTER VTHE LETTER FINDS ITS WAY

Your Visit

FIND THE RED DOOR
Paulay Ede u. 55,
1061 Budapest

Just off Andrássy Avenue.

Reservations by phone+36 30 212 8125

Opening hours

BUDAPEST TIME
Mon–Thu10:00 AM–12:00 AM
Fri10:00 AM–1:00 AM
Sat12:00 PM–1:00 AM
Sun12:00 PM–12:00 AM
@cafezsivago
The red entrance door of Café Zsivágó on Paulay Ede Street, beneath its gold sign.
THE RED DOOR ON PAULAY EDE
PAULAY EDE U. 55 · BUDAPESTGet directions →