I’ve been living in Budapest on the digital nomad visa for a while now, and one of the first things I noticed is how many cafés there are. The city is packed with great spots, but not all of them are friendly if you actually want to open your laptop and get some work done. Some only let you use laptops at certain tables, some have time limits, and others just don’t allow it at all...

After six months of working from here almost every day, I’ve found a handful of cafés that really work for digital nomads. Good Wi-Fi, plenty of plugs, and staff who don’t give you side-eye if you stay a few hours. These are the ones I keep going back to.

1. Café Muse

Address: Budapest, Sütő utca 2, 1052

Café Muse is one of those spots you’ll eventually end up in if you’re staying near Deák Ferenc tér. It’s central, always busy, and kind of has a reputation among locals, tourists, and digital nomads. I’ve worked here quite a few times, and while it’s not perfect, it’s still one of my go-to cafés in the city.

The space feels pretty elegant with big vintage-style chairs, classical music in the background, and a bit of a “refined” vibe. The Wi-Fi is really good, and there are enough outlets to make it practical for working. I’ve also sat outside with my laptop stand a few times when the weather’s good, which is nice for a change of pace.

Food-wise, it’s very brunch-friendly. Avocado toast, eggs, oats, and a lineup of picture-perfect cakes. Prices are higher than average for Budapest (a coffee can easily be around $2.50–$7 USD), but it’s the kind of place you don’t mind paying a bit more for because you can actually settle in and work without being rushed. They’ve got plant milk and a couple of vegan-friendly options, though it’s not the most extensive menu if you’re strictly vegan.

The only downsides for me: the tables are slightly too tall for long typing sessions, and if you go on weekends or at peak times, it gets really packed. I usually try to come in the mornings or evenings when it’s calmer. The nice thing is they’re open longer hours than most cafés in Budapest, so it’s one of the few spots where you can realistically work into the evening.

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If it’s packed (which it often is), there’s a second Café Muse a few minutes away on Petőfi Sándor utca. Same food, same vibe, just smaller and sometimes easier to find a table.

Café Muse Information

Wi-Fi: reliable, free, no time limits
Price: on the expensive side (coffee $2.50–$7, cakes $5–$8, food $8–$13 USD)
Food: brunch-style
Vegan-friendly: yes, but limited (plant milk, one cake, and a couple of food options)
Hours: 08:00–20:00 Mon–Thu, 08:00–21:00 Fri, 09:00–21:00 Sat, 09:00–20:00 Sun

2. Madal Cafe

Address: Budapest, Király utca 7, 1075

Madal is a bit of an institution in Budapest, and you’ll find a few of them around the city. The one I always end up at is the Király utca location: it’s the biggest, and probably the most laptop-friendly. There are loads of tables and even some bar-style seating, and honestly, nobody blinks if you sit there with your laptop for hours. Outlets are easy to find too, especially along the walls, which makes it a safe bet if you need to power through a workday.

I’ll admit, the coffee here isn’t my top pick in Budapest, but they do have a whole selection of chai flavors you won’t find elsewhere. Also, do yourself a favor and try their Snickers cake. It’s dangerously good and has become a bit of a guilty pleasure for me.

The downside of working here is the noise. It’s a big, busy café, and it gets pretty loud during peak hours, so bring noise-canceling headphones if you actually need to focus. The chairs are also basic wooden ones, so don’t expect cushy seating for long work sessions. Still, the overall vibe is great for productivity, and I’ve happily spent entire afternoons here.

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If you need a break from laptop life, there’s an amazing Asian fusion spot just down the street called Ichigo. Their wraps and bowls are incredible, and it’s one of my favorite lunch stops in the neighborhood.

Madal Cafe Information

Wi-Fi: reliable, free, no restrictions
Price: reasonable (coffee $2.50–$5, cakes $2.50–$5, food $5–$8)
Food: light lunch/snacks — premade sandwiches and cakes
Vegan-friendly: very (plant milk, plus vegan sandwiches and cakes)
Hours: 7:30am–7:30pm Mon–Fri, 8:30am–7:30pm Sat–Sun

3. Arch&Beans

Address: Budapest, Rákóczi út 5, 1088 Hungary

Arch&Beans might be the most openly laptop-friendly café I’ve found in Budapest. They actually give you a little card on the table that basically says, “Hey digital nomads, you’re welcome here.” It instantly makes you feel like you’re not in the way, even if you’re camped out for a few hours. Outlets are everywhere too. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever sat at a table here without one within reach.

The place itself has kind of a funky retro metro-station vibe. Think tiled walls, industrial touches, and upbeat music that sometimes feels like you’ve walked into a DJ set. It’s not where I’d go for a Zoom call, but it’s perfect if you’re just grinding through work or writing. The chairs are decent too, not the kind that make you regret staying longer than an hour.

Coffee is their strong suit. They serve some really good specialty brews, and the food is simple but solid, mostly sandwiches and sweet things. Prices are fair for Budapest (coffee around $2.50–$5, food $3–$8 USD), and they’ve got plant milk plus a couple of vegan cakes if you’re looking for options.

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If you’re here around lunch and want something better than a sandwich, head down the street to Tsuki Tea near Blaha Lujza tér. They make the best Banh Mi I’ve had outside Vietnam — no exaggeration.

Arch&Beans Information

Wi-Fi: fast, free, unlimited
Price: fair (coffee $2.50–$5, food $3–$8 USD)
Food: sandwiches and cakes
Vegan-friendly: some options (plant milk, a couple of cakes)
Hours: Mon–Sat 9am–8pm, Sun 10am–5pm

4. Megvető Café

Address: Budapest, Dohány utca 13, 1074

Megvető is one of those cafés where opening your laptop feels completely normal since half the people inside are remote workers. It’s got that old-school coffee house vibe, with lots of different places to sit. I’ve worked at the little two-person tables, curled up on the window benches, and even tried their funky staircase seating with cushions. If I really need to focus, I usually head to the quieter tables in the back.

Outlets aren’t an issue here, and pretty much every spot has one nearby, which makes longer work sessions easy. The only thing that bugs me is the Wi-Fi system. You have to log in with a code, and each session only lasts an hour. It’s fine most of the time, but I once got kicked off right in the middle of a Zoom call, which was less than ideal. Now I just set a timer so I can reconnect before it cuts out.

Coffee is good and reasonably priced ($2.50–$5 USD), and they’ve got sandwiches and cakes if you get hungry. Not the most elaborate food menu, but enough to keep you going. They also run events like book readings and talks, which gives the place a nice community feel.

Megvető Café Information

Wi-Fi: free, but limited to one-hour sessions per login
Price: good (coffee $2.50–$5, food $3–$8)
Food: light lunch/snacks — sandwiches and cakes
Vegan-friendly: some options (plant milk, a couple of cakes)
Hours: Mon–Sat 9am–8pm, Sun 10am–5pm

5. Mon Café

Address: Budapest, Dohány utca 13, 1074

Mon Café is a bit of a hidden gem near Ferenciek tere. It’s bright, modern, and spread across two floors, so there’s usually space to sit, and it’s completely normal to see people camped out with laptops for hours. I’ve worked here plenty of times when I needed a quieter spot, and it always feels laid-back.

The tables are pretty small though, so fine if you’re working solo, but not ideal if you’re trying to share space with another laptop. Still, the vibe makes up for it. The staff are always friendly, and both the coffee and chai are really good.

Food is pretty simple: baked goods and premade sandwiches. Prices are fair (coffee $2.50–$5, food $2.50–$5 USD), but if you’re vegan, options are limited to plant milk for drinks. No proper vegan meals here.

Mon Café Information

Address: Budapest, Veres Pálné utca 4, 1053
Wi-Fi: reliable, free, no limits
Price: affordable (coffee $2.50–$5, food $2.50–$5)
Food: baked goods, sandwiches
Vegan-friendly: minimal (plant milk only)
Hours: weekdays 8am–6pm, weekends 9am–5pm

6. Trafik kávézo és reggeliző

Address: Budapest, Liliom utca 41, 1094

Whenever I find myself around the Corvin area, Trafik is usually where I end up opening my laptop. It’s small, bright, and full of plants, which gives it a really cozy feel. The staff are always friendly, and there’s almost always someone else with a laptop open, so you never feel out of place working here.

They’ve got some really fun drinks (the salted maple matcha is worth a try!), and the food is proper all-day brunch: toasts, bagels, eggs, cakes… basically everything you’d want if you’re planning to stick around for a while. Prices are reasonable (coffee $2.50–$5, cakes $2.50–$5, food $5–$10 USD), and they’re surprisingly vegan-friendly with plant milk and plenty of cake options.

Seating is comfortable, especially if you grab the couch or the cushioned chairs by the big windows. The only downside is outlets: there aren’t many, so I usually bring my portable laptop charger with me.

Trafik kávézo és reggeliző Information

Wi-Fi: reliable, free, no limits
Price: fair (coffee $2.50–$5, cakes $2.50–$5, food $5–$10)
Food: all-day brunch
Vegan-friendly: very (plant milk, vegan brunch option, lots of cakes)
🕒 Hours: 9am–6pm weekdays, 9am–5pm weekends

7. Mantra Specialty Coffee Minibar

Address: Budapest, Veres Pálné u. 17, 1053 Hungary

Mantra has a really cozy, colorful vibe that makes it easy to settle in. The staff are super friendly and actually know their coffee, so if you’re into specialty brews, this is a great spot. Inside, you’ll find couches and tables with soft chairs, and outside there are plenty of seats too. They even hand out blankets when it’s cold, which I love.

The only thing to know is that laptops aren’t allowed everywhere. They keep a few tables just for laptop users, all with outlets, but you might need to ask the staff which ones they are (it’s not always obvious). If it’s busy, you may have to wait for one to open up.

Coffee here is excellent, easily some of the best I’ve had in Budapest. Food is limited to cakes and sweet treats, which are solid but not really enough for a proper meal. Prices are fair (coffee and snacks around $2.50–$5 USD), and they do offer plant milk, though vegans won’t find much else on the menu.

Mantra Information

Wi-Fi: reliable, free, no limits
Price: good (coffee $2.50–$5, cakes $2.50–$5)
Food: cakes and sweets only
Vegan-friendly: limited (plant milk for drinks, no real food)
Hours: weekdays 8am–6pm, weekends 8:30am–6pm

Final Verdict (TL;DR)

After half a year working my way through Budapest’s coffee scene, these seven spots stood out for different reasons. Café Muse has that elegant, central vibe and long hours that make it easy to work late. Madal on Király utca is the one place you can settle in all day without feeling out of place. Arch&Beans goes the extra mile by openly welcoming digital nomads with plenty of outlets. Megvető has the classic study café feel, perfect for deep focus (if you don’t mind resetting the Wi-Fi every hour). Mon Café is small and modern, great for solo work sessions when you want some quiet. Trafik brings the cozy, plant-filled atmosphere with hearty brunch options. And Mantra is where you go for some of the best specialty coffee in the city, as long as you grab one of the laptop tables.

That’s the thing about cafés in Budapest: there’s a little bit of everything. And if you want to keep exploring beyond this list, we’ve put together a full directory of the best coworking spaces in Budapest that you can check out.

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Erin Kelsey

Articles by Erin Kelsey

Best Laptop-Friendly Cafes in Budapest