The Ultimate Guide to Budapest’s Vibrant Jewish Quarter

Once a crumbling and dilapidated district, Budapest’s Jewish Quarter is now a vibrant hub for alternative culture and bohemian spirit, sporting some of the city’s best street art, most iconic bars and trendy independent stores.

This eclectic community celebrates its traditional Jewish heritage while still buzzing with modern influence, with synagogues standing proud alongside hipster coffee houses, and kosher restaurants nestled between Instagram-famous food trucks. Whether you’re here for craft beer, vintage fashion or stunning architecture, the diverse mix of tradition and innovation that defines this must-visit neighbourhood promises a truly unique experience.

Known as Erzsébetváros, or simply the 7th District, the Jewish Quarter of Budapest has been a central point for Jewish culture in Hungary since the 1800s. A flourishing and rapidly growing community in the early 1920s, this area suffered immeasurable tragedy during WWII, when the Quarter became a Nazi ghetto and over 500,000 Jews lost their lives, leaving a deep scar on the city and its people.

The Quarter fell into abandon after the war, but was revitalised in the early 2000s by the opening of the first ruin bar, Szimpla Kert, a craze that quickly caught on and spread through the district. These eclectic open-air bars brought life, art and tourism back to the Quarter, reinventing the old streets into the vibrant, buzzing party hotspot you see today. Now, the Jewish Quarter is a bustling centre for alternative, bohemian and hipster cultures and one of the top tourist destinations in the city, within walking distance of great central hotels and must-see attractions.

The first stop on any tour of Budapest’s Jewish Quarter is the Dohány Street Synagogue, aka the Great Synagogue, the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world. A centre point for the Quarter for over 100 years, this towering domed structure celebrates the area’s thriving Jewish community while honouring its harrowing past.

After you’ve taken in the breathtaking architecture and intricate interior of the synagogue, you’ll find the Hero’s Temple, Jewish Cemetery, Raul Wallenberg Memorial Park and Tree Of Life Memorial on the grounds, a moving tribute to Hungarian Jews killed in the holocaust. While inside, head to the Hungarian Jewish Museum, which celebrates Jewish tradition, folklore and the area’s fascinating history.

The Great Synagogue is still a working religious building and, as such, is closed on Saturdays and for Jewish festivals and holidays. The best way to explore this collection of historical landmarks and monuments is with the official Dohány Street Synagogue guided tour, which includes entrance to all these incredible sites and immersive and educational guides that provide a deeper understanding of this truly magnificent and poignant place.

Known as the ‘party district’ of Budapest, the Jewish Quarter has countless bars and nightclubs promising a rowdy, sophisticated or cultural experience, depending on what you’re looking for. 

Ruin bars, or romkocsma, were one of the initial rejuvenation projects that brought life back to the Quarter and are the perfect place to experience its unique underground culture. The very first and most famous ruin bar, Szimpla Kert, still promises an authentic experience, complete with mismatched furniture, eclectic decor and welcoming atmosphere. Csendes Létterem is a quieter locale with the same ruin bar theme, while Kőleves Kert is a local summertime favourite.

For craft beer, head to Élesztőház for the best local brewers on 30 rotating taps, Hopaholic for international flavours, or Madhouse for the famous Hungarian label Mad Scientist. If you’re looking for an all-night party, Instant-Fogas is the hottest spot. Spread across seven floors and open until 6 am, it’s a party you won’t find anywhere else. Wander to the winding Kazinczy Street for a variety of other bustling clubs, or check out Gozsdu Udvar for great food and outdoor entertainment.

For the best cocktails in the Quarter, head to Black Swan Cocktail Bar, a 20s-themed speakeasy, or Hostsy Totsy, a prohibition-style underground bar. Follow the hipster kids to Telep or its trendy neighbour, Központ. Dzzs promises lively dive bar vibes with a colourful retro aesthetic, while Kisüzem serves local rum in a relaxed lounge atmosphere.

Much like the nightlife, Budapest’s Jewish Quarter is spoilt for choice when it comes to top-rated restaurants and cafes.

For an authentic taste of Jewish cuisine, try Mazel Tov, an upmarket ruin bar that hosts live music and entertainment nightly, or Hanna, a traditional kosher restaurant. Dobrumba is the place to go for Middle Eastern cuisine, while Köleves combines Hungarian and Jewish influences into a hearty menu that offers plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. For the best street food in the Quarter, head to Karaván, opposite Szimpla Kert, or Bors just down the road, while Stika is a local favourite serving classic gastropub fare and “the best brunch in Budapest”.

For coffee and cake, head to Massolit, a calm and quiet cafe set inside one of the Quarter’s best book shops, or stop by the illustrious New York Cafe and try their famous hot chocolate in a decadently lavish interior, just down the road from Hotel Nemzeti. The Aran Bakery is a must for artisanal bread and delicious pastries, while Dorado serves small-batch coffee and a delightful brunch menu.

In keeping with the theme of mixing traditional style with modern aesthetics, the Jewish Quarter is full of vintage fashion, trendy boutiques and bustling Sunday markets.

If you’re looking for vintage and retro fashion, Retrock is the biggest vintage store in Budapest, and although prices can be steep, you’re sure to find treasures here. Ludovika is a gem for vintage 70s and 80s styles, and Szputnyik is a local favourite for both second-hand and modern fashion. For more contemporary styles, head to Printa, a design shop, art gallery, clothing store and screen printing studio that sells everything from home goods to elegant souvenirs, all sustainably sourced and made from organic materials.

For handcrafted Judaica made by local Hungarian designers, head to Judapest, or check out Classhome for cute souvenirs and quirky homeware. Massolit, as mentioned above, is a must-visit for book lovers, while Vinyl & Wood sells boutique accessories and eco-friendly home products alongside delicious cafe treats.

El Rapido Flea Market, located right next to Szimpla Kert, is the go-to place for trinkets and souvenirs. On Sundays, explore the Szimpla Farmers Market, packed with local produce and lively entertainment, and stop by Élesztőház for Pancs-Gasztroplacc, their Sunday ‘gastro-market’ offering delicious local produce including cheese, wine, honey, pastries, cured meats, oils and craft beer. Antik Placc is another great Sunday market held at Klauzál Square, where you’ll find ‘rediscovered antiques’ lovingly restored by local artists.

One of the best ways to experience the dynamic art scene of Budapest’s Jewish Quarter is to take a tour of the abundant street art murals. Local art groups repaint the Quarter every year, so there is always something new to explore. A good place to start is Rumbach Sebestyén Street, where you’ll find the famous Rubik’s Cube mural. From there, wander along Kazinczy and Király Street as you weave your way back through the District and take in the colourful murals on every corner. Look out for Alice in Wonderland on Kertész Street, and keep your eyes open along Dob and Akácfa Street for some of the city’s newest designs.

To rub shoulders with local artists, head to Jancsó Art Gallery, an open studio that houses a rotating array of exhibitions and public workspaces. Discover unique pieces at The Trash Art Museum, showcasing incredible metal sculptures made from scrap metal, or head to the Inda Gallery for contemporary works from local and international artists.

The Jewish Quarter has a vibrant and complex identity. You can feel it in every street, every mural, every independent store and ruin bar. It’s a proud place where art abounds, culture is celebrated and history is honoured, and the more you explore this thriving neighbourhood, the longer you’ll want to stay.