As I expected, the opening of Hungary’s first Starbucks has had a mixed reception (see comments). And there’s nothing more I can really add to the already over-caffeinated debate, especially since when I tried to go check it out yesterday, the lines were still long enough that I didn’t bother getting on them. So instead I’ll just tell you about a relevant place nearby that also just opened, though to much less fanfare.
The Dzsem Pékárú Kereskedés occupies a small spot on Vigyázó Ferenc utca, the block-long street that runs from scenic Roosevelt tér to Nádor utca. Until a few weeks ago, the place was called “Baguettini,” and was apparently part of a two-shop chain, with the other location in District XIII.
Then for a while it was closed (above) with a sign on the window cryptically saying “Dear Customers, We can’t reveal more only that our shop will be renewed, and it will be worth visiting us. Soon we will welcome you from breakfast to mid-afternoon snack [uzsonna]. Thank you for your patience and have a nice day. Kata, Marcsi, Gabi”
Like Baguettini, Dzsem is more bakery than café, though its new incarnation has an actual table to sit at, which was full when I dropped in this morning around 8:30. It also has even more interesting things to eat, including bagels and numerous French-style breakfast pastries such as the pecan and maple syrup delight pictured up top, which cost a very reasonable Ft 240. Just something to think about while you’re waiting in line at Starbucks…
Is the croissant worthwhile? I’ve been looking for some nice flaky, buttery ones half of which end up on the floor when you try to eat them. Any recommendations?
@lebowitz: I’m not enough of a croissant connoisseur
to confidently say if theirs are “worthwhile,”
though I would say it would be worthwhile to stop in
and find out for yourself.
yes please, I know this is off topic, but anyone know where to get a good (or maybe even excellent???) croissant in Budapest?
Well do not know about croissant, but I do know there are delicious bacon and cheese buns available at the Albanians bakery in Wesselenyi utca, hope they start selling Burek soon.
The croissants at Mai Mano, Nagymezo utca are pretty great.
Dzsem has great breakfast food too, but haven’t had their croissants yet. Their sandwiches and retesek are delicious and good value.
Last week I had a great croissant at Lukács. If you go around 8:30pm they have some pastries with 50% discount. It’s worth checking.
Dear Owners of Dzsem,
Please, please, please: don’t spend a bunch of time and money making the cutest little bakery on this side of the Danube, and then hire surly, eye-rolling counter staff. Counterproductive! I work right around the corner and skittered over this morning post-haste to sample the new store; after purchasing all my baked goods for the weekend, I was met with crankiness and unfriendly service that I just don’t need so early in the morning. Your competitors in the area (Sundance, California Coffee Company, etc) have charming, cheerful young folk at the helm who are almost always a pleasure to buy a coffee and sandwich from. Take note! I would love to support your business, and the bagels, croissants, and breads look lovely.
Janka, Sundance and California may have smiley staff, but their food and coffee is garbage. Dzsem is just starting, so give it time. When I was there, the staff couldn’t have been nicer.
Akos,
Sundance’s coffee is perfectly ok for me, California’s, I can survive. I’m probably too much of a heathen to really know the difference between all of them…which is why service really does make a difference in a crowded market, which this area has become. But glad they were nice to you. Maybe you went there after I did and they had read my comment!
Janka, I guess I’m referring more to the food. The Sundance and California sandwiches are pretty awful.
I’ve been to Dzsem three times now and every time, although the food was good, they had almost sold out of everything. On one occassion, they had only one sandwich left (and no salads).
so far the best croissant I’ve found in Bp was in Gerlóczy Kávéház (V.kerület)
Thank you for all who commented the Dzsem bakery!
We just started and hope you will like the style,
the quality and the concept.
We need to get feedback about our shop to be able to
develop and do something really good.
Please tell us your opinion personally in order to
give you proper and friendly solution on the spot.
Have a nice day and hope we will see you soon!
Just a note that on a return visit, staff was lovely, and Akos, food was in evidence. I was there early, though. Their bagels sandwiches with vegetable cream cheese are awesome. Thank you, Dzsem, for listening!
For good plain croissant try Szalay Cukrászda (5th district, Balassi Bálint utca 7., open 9 am -7 pm, closed on Tuesdays, in the winter also on Mondays). Mr Szalay (the business was started by his grandfather) tried some in France, loved it, then found that he could not get a good one in Budapest so he took up the challenge. Proper buttery stuff, fantastic when hot and fresh and even when just heated up. However, you may have to wait until the autumn: apparently they are not in demand in the summer, hard though it is to believe. Until then you will just have to make do with his heavenly strudels and Swiss crescent (svájci kifli)…