Budapest has entered an age of Renaissance when it comes to craft beer. From niche interest to latest craze, craft beer bars and the microbreweries that support them can be found popping up all over the city and beyond. Of course, not all bars are born equal, so we’re here to give you the lowdown on the coolest places with the best beers.
Csakajósör
Csakajósör – which literally means ‘only good beer’ – prides itself on selling only stuff that the owner himself would want to drink. Alongside the usual Pilsners, IPAs, and lagers, you’ll find all sorts of delicious red ales, dark beers as well as wheat beer and specialties including sour beers. While mostly a bottle shop, they do have six taps in-shop with a rotating selection of beers to try. Csakajósör has beers from all over the world, so it’s also a great place if you want to explore the international beer scene.
ADDRESS 42 Kertész Street, 1073 Budapest SHOW ON MAP
OPENING HOURS 2pm–9pm Mon–Sat, closed on Sunday
Photo: On the Grid
Hopaholic
With a real crafty name (see what we did there!), Hopaholic serves a delicious and ever-changing selection of Hungarian and import beers. Located in a rather cavernous ground floor space in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, they also serve some great beer snacks in case you stick around long enough to get hungry.
Click here to book a Budapest Craft Beer Tour with a local homebrewer and other beer lovers.
ADDRESS 38 Akácfa Street, 1072 Budapest SHOW ON MAP
OPENING HOURS 4pm–12am Mon–Wed, 4pm–2am Thu–Sat, closed on Sunday
Photo: Hopaholic
Beerselection
‘Pick and drink’ is their motto – and that’s exactly what you’ll end up doing if you pay this place a visit. With a minimalist interior, there isn’t much to say about the decor, which is fine because it’s the beer we care about. On the shelves, you’ll find bottles of just about everything good from Hungary and abroad, available to drink there or to go if you prefer.
ADDRESS 22–24 József krt., 1085 Budapest SHOW ON MAP
OPENING HOURS 12pm–8pm Tue–Fri, 2pm–8pm Sat, 2pm–6pm Sun, 2pm–8pm Mon
Photo: Beerselection
Krak’n Town
With a gorgeous steampunk-inspired interior, this place is worth a visit just to gawk at. Stay a while though and enjoy a beer in one of the comfy, styled booths – you won’t regret it. They have friendly staff – all dressed to impress – and the perfect range of local and international beers to try on 23 taps in total.
ADDRESS 31a József krt., 1085 Budapest SHOW ON MAP
OPENING HOURS 4pm–12am Mon–Fri, 12pm–12am Sat–Sun
Photo: Krak’n Town
Neked Csak Dezső
Recently moved from one location to an even bigger one, this is another place that scores big points for it’s clean, industrial interior. Neked Csak Dezső is a buzzing bar, packed with expats and locals every day of the week. Like the other places on this list, the beer menu rotates on their 32 taps regularly (they currently have the most taps in Budapest), and the staff knows their stuff if you’re looking to experiment. And, you can pick what you want from bottles stack floor to ceiling against the wall, or from huge beer tanks that line behind the bar.
Click here to book a Budapest Craft Beer Tour with a local homebrewer and other beer lovers.
ADDRESS 29 Rákóczy Way, 1088 Budapest SHOW ON MAP
OPENING HOURS 12pm–12am Sun–Wed, 12pm–2am Thu–Sat
Photo: Kocsmaturista
Kuzin Bár
Boasting a bohemian atmosphere and a delicious street food-style menu, this place is the place to be if you want to be surrounded by fun, interesting people while you drink. And, as we’ve said with every other bar on this list, they serve wonderful beer – they wouldn’t be on here otherwise.
ADDRESS 7 Dohány Street, 1074 Budapest SHOW ON MAP
OPENING HOURS 4pm–12am Sun–Wed, 4pm–2am Thu–Sat
Photo: Kuzin Bár
FIRST Craft Beer & BBQ
Right in the middle of town, we’d visit this place as much for its funky interior and futuristic lighting as for it’s beer. They have beers on 19 taps and you can also choose from 200 different bottled beers. And if it wasn’t obvious from the name, this place also does great BBQ food – perfect for getting your thirst up between beers. FIRST Craft Beer is also the name of their brewery in Budapest’s 4th district where they offer brewery visits and you can also taste their own beers in the tap room. Get in touch with us if you want to visit the brewery!
ADDRESS 3 Dob Street, 1072 Budapest SHOW ON MAP
OPENING HOURS 12pm–1am Sun–Wed, 12pm–2am Thu–Sat
Photo: FIRST Craft Beer & BBQ
Legfelsőbb Beeróság
A small and cozy cellar, this place makes up for any lacking in aesthetics with a superior range of on-tap beer and tasty street food. Being slightly out of the way, this place tends to remain a secret only to those who know where to look and, as such, is a great place to hang out with locals. You’ll find 10 taps at Legfelsőbb Beeróság along with 120 different bottled beers.
ADDRESS 20 Dohány Street, 1074 Budapest SHOW ON MAP
OPENING HOURS 2pm–2am Mon–Sat, 2pm–11pm Sun
Photo: Legfelsőbb Beeróság
Ogre Bácsi Sörözője
A bar with history, this place has been serving craft beers under one name or another for years. It’s smaller than most other places on the list and could do with a little more sunlight, but where this place excels is selling Hungarian craft beers both on tap and bottled along with delicious artisan charcuterie platters. On their 10 taps, they usually have 7-8 different beers from Szent András Brewery and on the remaining 2-3 taps, they rotate the selection between other Hungarian breweries.
ADDRESS 11 Hunyadi Square, 1067 Budapest SHOW ON MAP
OPENING HOURS 2pm–12am Mon–Thu, 2pm–1am Fri-Sat, closed on Sunday
Photo: Ogre Bácsi
Polyhistor Pub
Finishing off the list is another cellar bar – their best beers are served underground we think – and one with a little more warmth than the last. Split across three levels, you’ll be spoilt for choice when looking for somewhere to chill with your brew. And, with a whopping 14 beers on tap, we’re sure you’ll find something you’ll like. Polyhistor Pub is also a great place if you want to enjoy Japanese culture and gastronomy!
Click here to book a Budapest Craft Beer Tour with a local homebrewer and other beer lovers.
ADDRESS 37 Izabella Street, 1077 Budapest SHOW ON MAP
OPENING HOURS 5pm–12am Mon–Thu, 2pm–12am Fri–Sat, 5pm–10pm Sun
Photo: Frappé Guide
Featured image by Claudio Saroldi Photography.
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