Ibolya Espresso Budapest
Retro bar with retro drink
Ibolya Espresso is a normal retro bar with a terrace in a beautiful area of Budapest. It tries to show the mood of the good old times, and it manages to do it well.
But the reason I love this place is that here I can drink an old-school Hungarian fizzy drink: Bambi.
Bambi was born two years after World War II, in 1947. The drink was so popular, they had to import a machine from the GDR to accelerate production. But after that, we got Coca-Cola and Pepsi, and their popularity killed Bambi in the year 1968. Two years later, instead of Bambi, Pepsi was being manufactured by the East German lines at Margitsziget in the Metropolitan Mineral Water and Ice Industry Company. Bambi came out again in the early 2000s, made in small quantities by the Budapest Spa and Hévizei Zrt.
But on the tests there was a little problem with it: the old Bambi fans said that the tarry aftertaste was missing. Yes, Bambi had a tarry aftertaste (nowadays it doesn't), because during the times of shortage economy Bambi would sometimes be made from rotten orange oil (and rotten orange oil has a tarry aftertaste).
About this spot
Find your way with 171 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Budapest
Muzikum Klub - Bisztró
Great bites and beats
Muzikum Bisztró, near the National Museum, serves a great 2-3 course lunch menu affordably.
by
Betti
Galos
GoodSpirit Whisky Bar
The perfect evening out
Their gin-based signature cocktail is my absolute number one. It's called “Ramos Gin Fizz” and it’s pure magic in a glass. It never, ever disappoints.
by
Betti
Galos
New York Bagel
Bagel Escape
I love starting my day here with my personal favorite, the "Don Corleone" bagel. They offer a wide selection of bagel types, some served hot & others cold.
by
Betti
Galos
Lúd Labor
Local paper store, made with love
"Lúd Labor" in Budapest is the perfect stationery shop. More than half its wares are made by local designers, I tend to lose control in here...
by
Claudia
Leporatti
Hungarian Treasury
My favourite building
The "Hungarian Treasury" in Budapest is a building I show to all my guests. Its secessionist art nouveau style is reminiscent of Antoni Gaudí...
by
Claudia
Leporatti
Vivina café
Brunch classic in Budapest
The true star of Vivina’s brunch menu is the porridge—comforting, nourishing, and served with fresh berries and toasted nuts, it’s one of the best porridges in town!
by
Betti
Galos
Lion's Locker
A tasty home for travellers
"Lion's Locker" in Budapest is a cute family-run cafe where I can stay all day. The staff is all wonderful - and they know how to make almond milk foam!
by
Claudia
Leporatti
Arán Bakery Budapest
Sourdough and dreams
"Arán Bakery Budapest" fuels my dreams with sourdough bread like my grandmother made it and delicious cinnamon rolls...
by
Iulia
Notaros
Sport Bisztró
Fitness for the stomach
"Sport Bisztró" in Budapest is a pleasantly familiar, well-oiled haunt that sticks to the proverb 'healthy mind in a healthy body!' Great sports bar, too.
by
Iulia
Notaros
Nos a Hely
The tiny treasure trove is back
"Nos a Hely" is a pop-up vintage shop in Hungary - they have a carefully curated selection of vintage porcelain and other local items. Great for gifts!
by
Iulia
Notaros
Pogány-torony
Forgotten oddity
"Pogány-torony", or Pagan Tower, in Budapest, is one of the city's strangest buildings, with a Gothic folk-tale-meets-Tolkien charm...
by
Iulia
Notaros
Heading to Budapest?
171 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 171 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Bars
Our team loves Budapest
Get to know our other Spotters from Budapest
As featured on:
