Caffeine and quick bites near McDaniel College, Budapest

By Riley Moore

As all students here know, caffeine is an important component in student life. We get coffee to fuel our studies, or we go grab some with friends on our break. We are fortunate that near our campus, we have a multitude of yummy and affordable cafes that fuel our student life. 

Starting off strong with some coffee and quick nibbles from ‘coffee street.’ Known to the student body as ‘coffee street’ because of its three choices of cafes sitting right next to each other, but on any map it’s István utca (street). Walking from the college, the first one you will walk into is Rira. This cafe stands out against its neighbors because of its vegan menu, Mediterranean cuisine, and teal interior. One review on Tripadvisor says it’s “simple, quick, and nutritious” while also highlighting the clean and small space inside, having four seats available, and “no complaints.”

Leaving Rira and walking to your left will have you at Dolce Italiana in about five steps. The setup is quite different from the previous store. When you walk in, there’s a case of freshly made sandwiches, pastries, and refrigerated drinks. Their sandwiches are a great option for a fast, affordable, and yummy lunch. In the warmer months, they offer their homemade gelato that stacks in fluffy mounds and pulls in people passing by. One review online even claims this to be “the best ice cream in Budapest,” so if you get the opportunity to try- it won’t disappoint.

Departing from Dolce Italiana and walking about three steps to the left will get you to the Goat Herder. With the most aesthetic interior and trendy foods, it’s no surprise this spot tends to be the favorite choice for the student body nearby. Their menu consists of classic coffee drinks, as well as a delicious avocado toast on sourdough bread and a fresh acai bowl, and my personal favorite is their banana bread (it’s amazing, seriously). The coffee at Goat Herder is next level, with a simple menu but staying true to good-tasting coffee drinks. Or if coffee isn’t your thing, they offer freshly-squeezed orange juice that is sure to refresh any hard day at school.  

Linka

Moving on from coffee street, I’m going to share with everyone my favorite cafe and brunch place near our campus. Linka, located here: Budapest, Damjanich u. 26b, 1071 (a roughly 10-minute walk from campus), offers unique brunch dishes that are filling to get you through any long day at school. The reviews online highlight honestly that the coffee isn’t the best in Budapest, but the food, atmosphere, and service stand out to make this place a must-visit. The menu ranges from omelets (with cheese or meat or goat cheese), yogurt bowls with fresh fruit and honey, and waffles with savory or sweet toppings. Because this spot is more breakfast/brunch focused, the hours are from 8-3 during the week and 8:30 to 4:30 on the weekends. If you can find the time to fit this in your schedule, I assure you the food and service won’t disappoint.  

Linka

Coming back a little closer to our school building, there’s a new cafe located on Bethlen Gábor tér (square) over the road from the college. Beugró, a new foodie spot, opens at 10:30 am throughout the week and on Saturday, and closes at 8:30 pm on the days it’s open. With these hours, they offer more of a full menu option for students to get proper meals throughout their school days. They have a range of soups and goulash, to pancakes and sandwiches made fresh. The coffee selection is nothing out of the ordinary, with typical espresso drinks like a latte, cappuccino, or flat white; all with alternative milk options. What sets this spot apart from the other cafes nearby is the unique selection of syrup flavors: raspberry, mango, elderflower, pear, sour cherry, and strawberry. These offer up a fun and flavorful way to spice up your coffee, or any flavor can be added to their house-made lemonade. When I visited, it was a day that Budapest was feeling sunny and warm, so I went for a pear lemonade, which made me feel sunny and warm inside. The lemonade comes with fresh-squeezed orange and lemon slices and your choice of sparkling or still water. Adding the pear flavor was a subtle way to amplify my lemonade, and I will definitely be back to try the other flavors as we approach springtime.  

Beugró

As a student body, we are very fortunate for the local cafes near our campus that give us a unique taste of Budapest to help our studies come along. Stopping by any of the mentioned places helps our community grow, keeps our brains afloat, and our caffeine addictions get stronger.

Photos by Riley Moore