Budapest’s Historic Café Awaits a New Chapter: Could You Be Part of Its Story?
If you’ve ever wandered the charming streets of Budapest, you know there’s magic in every corner. But some corners are a bit more magical than others—like the intersection of Bródy Sándor Street and Múzeum Boulevard in Józsefváros. Here, tucked into a stunning historic building, lies one of Budapest’s oldest cafés, the legendary Múzeum Kávéház. And guess what? This iconic spot is looking for someone to breathe new life into its storied halls. Could it be you?
A Café with a Rich History
Our story begins way back in 1876, when a certain Ádám Schodl—a former head waiter at the famed Hungária Hotel—decided to open his own café. He named it Schodl Kávéház (because why not?), and it quickly became one of the city’s very first coffeehouses. A few years later, in 1885, it received the name we know today: Múzeum Kávéház és Étterem.
Image source: Fortepan
Over the decades, this café became more than just a place to sip coffee or nibble pastries. It was a vibrant cultural hub where Hungary’s literary giants—think József Attila, Krúdy Gyula, Móricz Zsigmond, and Illyés Gyula—would gather to debate life’s big questions or simply play cards until dawn. Imagine sitting at a table where Hungary’s greatest writers once argued over politics, poetry, or who owed whom money from last night’s poker game!
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Timeless Elegance and Artistic Treasures
Stepping inside this café is like stepping into a time capsule. Thanks to its protected historical status, the interior remains largely unchanged since its golden days. The walls still proudly showcase original artworks by renowned Hungarian painter Károly Lotz, alongside exquisite Zsolnay ceramics and beautifully preserved folk-inspired wall tiles. It’s not just a café—it’s practically an art gallery disguised as one!
But here’s the catch: after years of financial struggles and outdated infrastructure (think towering ceilings, enormous glass windows, and an energy system straight out of the 19th century), the café sadly closed its doors in 2020. Now Józsefváros Municipality is determined to find someone passionate enough—and perhaps slightly crazy enough—to restore this gem to its former glory.
Calling All Dreamers (and Coffee Lovers)
Here’s where things get interesting: Józsefváros Municipality isn’t just looking for any tenant willing to pay rent. They want someone who truly understands what makes this place special. They’ve even devised a scoring system where your creative vision counts three times more than your proposed rental fee! Yes, you read that right—your brilliant ideas matter way more than your wallet.
Interested applicants must submit a detailed business plan (around 1500 words—easy peasy!) covering everything from renovation ideas and sustainability measures to how they’ll promote the café’s unique heritage and connect with locals and visitors alike. Plus—and here’s a fun twist—the winning tenant will need to host five community events each year for free. Think literary evenings, art exhibitions, or cozy jazz nights that keep alive the café’s cultural heartbeat.
Challenges and Opportunities Await
Of course, bringing this historic space back to life won’t be easy—or cheap! Previous operators estimated renovation costs in the hundreds of millions of forints due to outdated energy systems and infrastructure issues exacerbated by pandemic-related setbacks. But hey, nothing worthwhile ever came easy, right? And imagine being able to say you restored one of Budapest’s oldest cafés—a true feather in any entrepreneur’s cap!
The municipality envisions something truly special here: perhaps an elegant breakfast spot offering fresh pastries each morning; maybe an inviting restaurant serving traditional Hungarian dishes with modern flair; or even a cozy confectionery tempting passersby with irresistible cakes and chocolates—all while preserving that unmistakable historic charm.
Could You Write the Next Chapter?
So if you’re strolling through Józsefváros soon (perhaps after visiting the nearby Hungarian National Museum), pause at Bródy Sándor Street number 2 and peek through those grand windows into history itself. Imagine yourself behind that counter serving steaming cappuccinos beneath Lotz’s masterpieces or hosting lively cultural gatherings beneath soaring ceilings.
If this sounds like your kind of adventure—and let’s face it: who wouldn’t want their name attached forever to such an iconic piece of Budapest history?—you have until March 31st, 2025 to apply through Józsefváros Municipality.
Budapest awaits eagerly as someone new steps forward to continue writing this beloved café’s fascinating story. Who knows? Maybe next time tourists stroll past these historic walls they’ll see your smiling face welcoming them inside—for coffee, culture…and perhaps even cards until dawn!
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