After 10 days of traveling through Prague, Salzburg, Munich, Hallstatt, and Vienna, we thought we’d experienced some incredible meals. Then we walked into Cirkusz Café in Budapest on Day 10 of our journey, and everything changed. This wasn’t just another brunch spot, this was hands-down the best café experience of our entire 12-day Central Europe adventure. Here’s why Cirkusz Café deserves a spot on every Budapest itinerary.
Overview:
- Location: Budapest, Dob u. 25, 1074 Hungary
- Price Range: $$-$$$ (Mid-range to splurge)
- Our Bill: 13,275 HUF for 2 people (approximately SGD 51.16 / €32)
- Best For: Brunch, Benedict variations, exceptional coffee, special occasions
- Reservations: Walk-in only, expect to queue on weekends
Table of Contents
- Why Cirkusz Café Is Budapest’s Best Brunch Spot
- What We Ordered & Full Review
- Prices & Value for Money
- Practical Information
- What to Order: Our Recommendations
- Final Verdict
Why Cirkusz Café Is Budapest’s Best Brunch Spot
By Day 10 of our Central Europe journey, we’d dined at some incredible establishments, Café Savoy and Café Louvre in Prague, historic beer halls in Munich, traditional Austrian restaurants across Austria. We thought we knew what excellent European café culture looked like.
Cirkusz Café completely reset our expectations.
Located in Budapest’s vibrant Jewish Quarter, this café balances historic charm with modern, airy design. High ceilings, abundant natural light, contemporary furniture, and tasteful decor create an atmosphere that feels both sophisticated and welcoming. The space was bustling with locals (always a good sign), and the menu immediately caught our attention with creative twists on brunch classics.
See our 12-Day Prague, Munich, Salzburg, Vienna & Budapest Itinerary here!
What We Ordered & Full Review
Pulled Pork Benedict ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The absolute star of our brunch. Instead of the traditional English muffin, Cirkusz Café uses crispy hash browns as the foundation, an absolutely genius choice that elevates everything.
The pulled pork was perfectly seasoned and slow-cooked to tender perfection with just enough smokiness. The caramelized onions added subtle sweetness. The poached eggs were flawlessly executed, golden yolk flowing over everything. The hollandaise sauce was exceptional, buttery and tangy with perfect consistency.
But those hash browns were the real revelation. Crispy, golden, sturdy enough to support all the toppings without getting soggy. Every bite delivered crunch, tender pork, sweet onions, creamy yolk, and rich hollandaise in perfect harmony.
Eggs Benedict with Aged Jamón Ibérico & Sautéed Mushrooms ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The more traditional option, but using aged jamón ibérico instead of Canadian bacon brings sophisticated, nutty complexity. Built on a perfectly toasted English muffin, the ham was thinly sliced and generous.
We added the sautéed mushrooms for an extra 800 HUF, absolutely the right call. The poached eggs were once again perfectly executed. Cirkusz Café clearly has their egg game down to a science. The quality of the jamón ibérico made all the difference, and the mushroom addition was worth every forint.
Flat White & Caffè Latte ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Both coffee drinks were textbook perfect. The flat white had velvety microfoam and proper coffee-to-milk ratio. The latte was smooth and well-balanced with beautiful latte art. In a city where coffee culture is still developing, finding properly executed specialty coffee was a pleasant surprise. The espresso had a rich, chocolatey profile without bitterness.
Prices & Value for Money
Our Total Bill: 13,275 HUF (Approximately SGD 51.16 / €32)
| Item | Price (HUF) | Worth It? |
|---|---|---|
| Pulled Pork Benedict | 4,600 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Eggs Benedict with Jamón Ibérico + Mushrooms (add-on) | 3,600 + 800 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Flat White | 1,400 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Caffè Latte | 1,400 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Service Charge (12.5%) | 1,475 | – |
After 10 days of dining across Central Europe, Cirkusz Café offers exceptional value for money. At approximately SGD 51 for two people including coffee and service charge, this was comparable to the historic cafés we visited in Prague and Vienna, but the quality was noticeably higher.
Practical Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | Budapest, Dob u. 25, 1074 Hungary |
| Website | cirkuszbp.hu |
| Reservations | Walk-in only, no reservations accepted, arrive early to avoid queues |
| Opening Hours | Mon-Sun: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Getting There | 8-minute walk from Astoria metro station (M2 line) |
Pro Tip: Cirkusz Café doesn’t take reservations, so arrive early to beat the crowds! Weekday mornings (8:30-10 AM) typically have shorter queues. Weekend brunch times (10 AM-1 PM) can mean 20-40 minute waits. We visited on a weekday morning and walked straight in, but the café filled up quickly by 10:30 AM.
What to Order: Our Recommendations
Based on our experience and observing what other diners ordered, here are our top recommendations:
Must-Order Items:
- Pulled Pork Benedict — Our absolute favorite, the crispy hash brown base is genius
- Eggs Benedict with Jamón Ibérico + Mushrooms — Premium ingredients, the mushroom add-on is essential
- Huevos Rancheros — For bold, spicy Mexican-inspired flavors
- Roast Beef Benedict — Creative twist perfect for meat lovers
- Guacamole Toast — Fresh, vibrant, ideal for lighter appetites
Pro Tip: Add the mushrooms (800 HUF) to any Benedict order for incredible umami depth. Come hungry, the Benedict portions are substantial and genuinely filling!
Final Verdict
Overall Rating: 10/10
Cirkusz Café delivered the single best café experience of our entire 12-day Central Europe trip. The food quality was exceptional, presentation was beautiful, service was excellent, the atmosphere perfectly balanced energy and comfort, and prices were entirely reasonable.
That Pulled Pork Benedict alone justifies the visit, but everything exceeded expectations. This is what modern European café culture should be: respecting tradition while confidently innovating, delivering exceptional quality without pretension.
Would we return? Without question. We immediately regretted not discovering Cirkusz Café on Day 1 so we could have returned multiple times. Next time: the Huevos Rancheros, Roast Beef Benedict, and Guacamole Toast are on our list.
Have you brunched at Cirkusz Café? Share your experience in the comments below!
Planning your Budapest trip? Bookmark this review and arrive early to avoid the queue. Don’t make our mistake, visit early in your stay so you have time to return!
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