Shopping Centers With Lots of Shops, Cafes, Fast Food Places
Since the mid-1990-ies numerous shopping malls have been built in Budapest and the number of large shopping centers is still growing in the Hungarian capital and in its outskirts.
In Budapest Shopping Malls you can combine several activities:
- Buying Hungarian souvenirs, designer clothes, accessories, books, electronics
- Watch the latest Hollywood blockbuster in a Multiplex cinema
- Have a meal or just a coffee with a cake in the many eateries and cafés
The change in the political and market system in the 1990-ies brought about Western-style shopping craze, and today around a dozen flashy shopping centers welcome both locals and tourists.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
TIP: To avoid the crowd, drop in the malls in the morning, around 10.00 – 12.00 if you can. Shopping centers are busy places, and attract pickpockets. Keep your purse in a well-fastened handbag and hold it close to your body.
Note: Shops, Shopping centres are closed on national and public holidays.
Budapest Shopping Malls – Wide Selection of Goods & Services
Shopping centres sell everything you need in every day life
- food,
- cosmetics,
- clothes,
- books, they all have souvenir shops, though Budapest Markets are better places to get authentic Hungarian gifts.
You’ll find all major brands and trendy fashion retailers:
- Zara,
- C & A,
- H & M,
- Desigual,
- Levis,
- Devergo,,
- Nike, Adidas etc.
Besides these glitzy big name outlets, some lovely, small shops sell crafts, toys and unique gifts.
All shops have ATM machines, should you need some cash.
You can pay with debit/credit cards in most shops, smaller ones might only accept payment in cash.
The good thing is that besides shops and eateries, you’ll also find
- banks,
- at least one post office,
- travel agencies,
- pharmacies,
- currency exchange bureaus.
So you can combine shopping with going in the bank, getting a painkiller, or exchanging money.
Clean toilettes are another asset of shopping centres.
If you need help finding your way around or in any other matter, ask the staff at the Information desk located at the main entrances.
They’re usually young people who speak English.
You can easily get to most shopping centers by public transport. All malls provide free parking (for at least 2 hours), should you go by car.
Note that we indicated the opening hours of shops; cinemas and other services have different opening hours.
Europeum Shopping Centre
Address: Blaha Lujza tér 3-5., district VII., M2 metro, trams 4-6
Open: 10.00 – 20.00 every day, parking garage: 0.00 – 24.00:
See website for more details.
The Europeum shopping centre opened in April 2011 on Blaha Lujza Square with 6000 sq. meter shopping area.
Fashion shops, shoe stores (Deichmann), a Müller drogerie, cafes and restaurants await shoppers on 3 levels.
TIP: The Courtyard by Marriott four-star hotel provides excellent accommodation within the building. Its Oleo Pazzo restaurant serves tasty Mediterrranean dishes.
WestEnd City Center
Address: Váci út 1-3., district VI., M3 metro, trams 4-6 Nyugati tér station
Opening Hours:
- Mon – Sun: 08.00 – 23.00,
- shops (usually): Mon – Sat: 10.00 – 20.00, Sun: 10.00 – 18.00,
- cafes/restaurants: 08.00 – 22.00
Its striking architecture and around 400 shops make West End City Center the most impressive and largest Budapest shopping malls.
An ideal place for shopping, even if you don’t have much time because it’s centrally located next to the Nyugati Train Station.
Shops/Services
Underground you’ll find a Spar supermarket, a Libri bookshop, several toy shops. Costa Coffee on the underground level, a Tchibo on the first floor should you crave a latte with a cake.
There’s a Starbucks cafe (open: Mon – Fri: 07.00 – 22.00, Sat: 08.00 – 22.00, Sun: 08.00 – 21.00) on the street level floor with a small outdoor terrace overlooking the busy Váci út.
A nice selection of coffee drinks, sandwiches, teas, muffins, croissants other pastries and cakes are available.
Although a bit overpriced, Starbucks is still a good choice to have a steaming cuppa in Budapest .
They have around 20 more cafes in Budapest:
- in the Mammut II Shopping Center 2nd floor, at Széna tér,
- in Allee Shopping Plaza in Újbuda, district XI.
- at Szt. István tér facing St. Stephen’s Basilica,
- at the corner of Király utca and Erzsébet körút on Grand Boulevard.
You can have good meals at the numerous eateries and cafés.
TIP: For dessert the Yogomore self-service frozen yogurt bar.
WestEnd also offers a range of designer shops, jewellers, gift shops, drugstores, toy shops and many other shops.
The 14-screen Palace Cinema shows the latest blockbusters.
A very nice feature is the Baby-Mom Room (open every day from 11.00 to 19.00, use the escalator or elevator from the 2nd floor to the Semiramis Roof Graden).
It has a comfortable armchair, changing table, and microwave should need to warm a meal for your little one.
Eiffel Square, right next to the railway station, is a pleasant park to sit around in good weather.
There’s a Frei Cafe – a Hungarian cafe chain – , a Costa Coffee, a Salad Box bar, and some bistros and restaurants in the office on the side the square
TIP: The Hilton Budapest City offers 5-star accommodation adjacent to the shopping centre.
Corvin Plaza
Address: Futó utca 37-45., Budapest 1083, district VIII.
Getting There: M3 (blue) metro, or trams 4, 6 Corvin negyed stop
Corvin is one of the newest malls in the heart of Budapest, behind Corvin Cinema.
It is easily accessible by metro (M3/blue line) and trams 4 and 6.
The 4-storey mall offers a wide range of shops :
- C & A,
- H & M,
- Pull & Bear,
- Orsay,
- Tamaris,
- Promod,
- Tally Weijl,
- DM drogerie market,
- Deichmann,
- Decathlon Sport Store
- Alexandra bookstore,
- cafes (Starbucks),
- fast food restaurants
The Corvin Sétány behind the plaza has become a foodie promenade with some great bistros and cafes. It hosts a a Beer Festival in summer and early autumn as well as a Christmas Market usually from mid-November till Decemebr 24.
Allee Shopping Center
Address: Október 23. utca 8-10., district XI.
Getting there: trams 4, 18, 19, 41, 47, 49, 61, M4 metro (green line) buses: 53 86 150 150E 212 250
Opening Hours:
Shops:
- Mon – Sat: 10.00 – 21.00,
- Sun: 10.00 – 19.00,
Restaurants, Cafes:
- Mon – Sat: 09.00 – 22.00,
- Sun: 09.00 – 20.00,
Interspar:
- Mon – Sat: 07.00 – 22.00,
- Sun: 08.00 – 19.00
Gilda Max Fitness:
Mon – Sun: 0.00 – 24.00
Allee is a new addition to the city’s growing number of shopping malls. It is on the Buda side, only 3 stops by tram from Petőfi bridge.
The 4-storey center houses
- a wide array of fashion shops,
- cafes and restaurants,
- a large Interspar supermarket (open: Mon-Sat: 07.00 – 22.00, Sun: 08.00 – 19.00),
- a Gilda Max Fitness Center (open: 0.00 – 24.00 every day) and
- a Cinema City Multiplex Cinema.
Fashion shops include
- Bershka,
- Mango,
- Promod,
- C & A,
- Gas,
- Magenta,
- Levi’s,
- Stradivarius,
- Springfileld,
- Marks & Spencer and
- Zara
There are quality shoe shops as well: Tamaris, Salamander, Deichmann, Ecco Soes
Allee frequently has some unique cultural programs, like the Interactive Theatre Show in October, and there is also a Christmas fair outside the mall each year.
Cafes, Eateries
It wouldn’t be a shopping mall without at least one fast food restaurant, so rest assured there’s Burger King.
If you feel like eating pizza then try Il Treno. There is also an Asian fast food buffet.
Costa Coffee and Starbucks also have each an outlet in Allee, offering expensive coffee drinks, pastries and sandwiches.
Kaffeine Allee on the 1st floor makes espresso and filter coffee from freshly roasted specialty coffee beans
TIP: My top cafe pick is however Cafe Frei, a Hungarian chain owned by a former TV reporter, Tamás Frei. It is in the Libri Bookstore on the 2nd floor. Coffee here is made from freshly roasted gourmet coffee. Some yummy cakes and pastries are also available to go with the cappuccino.
Cserpes Tejivó is a Hungarian milk bar chain with tasty dairy products:
- shakes,
- cocoa,
- coffee drinks,
- tea, coffee
- yogurt, traditional Hungarian pastries: cottage cheese pockets, gourmet sandwiches.
A good place to grab a bite at affordable price. Next to Cserpes there’s a Szamos Cake shop offering all sorts of cakes and desserts.
TIP: The Kemenes Cukrászda at the back of the ground floor sells Hungarian cakes and pastries if you’re in the mood for more sweets.
The food market called Fehérvári úti Csarnok is one of the dozen or so food markets of Budapest where you can shop for fresh, seasonal vegetables, fruits, cheese and other dairy products, meat, and lovely flowers.
Aréna Mall
Address: Kerepesi út 9., VIII. district
Getting there: M2 (red) metro, Keleti pályaudvar stop, from there by walk or take a bus (No. 178, No. 95) or trolley (No. 80)
Opening Hours
- Shops: Mon-Sat: 10.00 – 21.00, Sun: 10.00 – 19.00
- Restaurants, Cafes: Mon – Sat: 08.00 – 22.00, Sun: 10.00 – 20.00,
- Tesco: Mo – Sat: 06.00-22.00, Sun: 07.00 – 20.00
- Cinema City ticket office: every day: 09.30 – 22.30.
- Peak Gym: every day: 0.00 – 24.00
See website for more information.
The Tchibo shop is unique because this is one of the 3 in Hungary (there’s one in MOM Park and another in WestEnd).
It sells gourmet coffees, clothes and other stuff. You can also have a cup of coffee with a cake there.
Arena Plaza has a great number of fashion shops selling designer clothes, shoes, bags and accessories.
There’s also a multiplex cinema and a large Tesco supermarket.
For an American style cafe drop in Starbucks. You must try the delicious ice creams in Haagen Dazs. There’s also the usual McDonalds, McCafe, KFC and Burger King for fast-food junkies.
You’ll also find a Subway and a Pizza Hut. In Szamos Confectionery you can buy handmade bonbons, fine cakes or just have an espresso or cappuccino.
Árkád Shopping Center
Address: Örs vezér tér 25., X. district, M2 metro Örs vezér tér station
Parking: the first 2 hours are free
Opening Hours
- Mall: Mon – Sat: 06.50 – 22.00, Sun: 07.50 – 20.00,
- Shops: Mon – Sat: 10.00 – 21.00, Sun: 10.00 – 19.00
- Cafes, restaurants: Mon – Sat: 10.00 – 22.00, Sun: 10.00 – 19.00
Some shops, cafes ahve different opening hours (e. g. some cafes, fast food eateries are open from 08.00)
Árkád more than 200 shops and services:
- a variety of fashion and designer shops,
- drugstores,
- bookshops
- supermarkets,
- cafes, restaurants and
- a playhouse
There’s a
- Tchibo Store,
- Costa Coffee
- a Body Shop
- a Nespresso Mini Boutique,
- an Interspar supermarket and a City Spar food store,
- Felföldi Passionerie delicate shop, and
- a Bortársaság Wine Shop
After shopping you can rest in one of the many cafes and restaurants.
The choice includes Greek eatery, Italian (Okay Italia, Pizza Vezuv), Burger King, McDonalds, Asian Food and so on.
For delicious cakes or ice cream in the summer I recommend Szamos Confectionery.
For a good espresso try Cafe Frei in the Libri Book Store.
Mammut I.
Address: Lövőház utca 2-6., II. district, Buda,
Getting there: tram 6, M2 metro Széll Kálmán tér station
Opening Hours
- shops: Mon – Sat: 10.00 – 21.00, Sun: 10.00 – 18.00,
- restaurants, cafes (some open earlier): Mon – Sun: 10.00 – 22.00
After sightseeing in the nearby Budapest Castle District, pop in Mammut to do some shopping or have snacks in one of its cafés or restaurants on the upper floors.
Mammut offers both big-brand and smaller shops.
Mammut II.
Address: Lövőház utca 2-6., II. district, next to the original Mammut
Open: same as Mammut I.
You’ll find numerous fashion and designer shops like
- Bershka,
- Marks & Spencer on the ground floor,
- Promod,
- Sugarbird
- Heavy Tools,
- a Hervis Sport Store.
For high-tech electronic gadgets and kitchen appliances visit the Mediamarkt on the 1st level.
Out of the many Starbucks cafe shops in Budapest Mammut II. has one on the 2nd floor (open: Mon – Sun: 08.00 – 22.00).
If you prefer a Hungarian coffee house chain with moderate prices then try Cafe Frei in the Libri Bookstore on the 2nd floor (open: Mon – Sat: 10.00 – 21.00, Sun: 10.00 – 18.00)
The Fény utcai Market behind Mammut II. sells fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy and meat products. The best place to munch some snacks, like lángos or pancakes.
MOM Park
Address: Alkotás út 53. XII. district, tram 59, 61, bus 8, 139
Parking: Mon – Fri: 170 HUF every half hour, Saturday: first hour is fee, free on Sunday and public holidays, with CinemaPINK ticket: free for 3 hours
Opening Hours
- Mall: Mon – Sat: 07.00 – 24.00, Sun: 08.00 – 24.00
- Shops: Mon – Sat 10.00 – 20.00, Sun 08.00 – 20.00,
- Restaurants, cafes: Mon – Sun: 10.00 -22.00,
- Spar supermarket: Mon-Sat: 07.30 – 22.00, Sun: 8.00-20.00,
- Cinema ticket office: Mon – Sun: 11.00 – 24.00
A smaller but less busier shopping center in Buda. It is a bit of a hassle to get there by public transport, but once you’re there take your time to explore the shops.
When visiting MOM Park I always have a coffee break
- in the Bagatellini Cafe: delicious home baked bakery goods and cakes, or
For coffee and cake you can’t go wrong with the Tchibo store either. They sell other stuff besides coffee: home appliances, clothes, accessories – always a temptation for me.
MOM Park too has a Starbucks if you can’t resist the overly sweet lattes and dark roasted coffee.
The Vapiano and the TG Picolino are my top choices for Italian dishes. In summer try the artisan ice cream by the Moritz Eis on the ground floor that also has a shop on Andrássy Avenue.
The 600 sqm playhouse on the Fórum level is open between 10.00 – 20.00 every day.
MOM park has a new exclusive cinema, the CinemaPINK being built with
- state-of-the art sound (DOLBY Atmos 360) and projection system (SONY 4K and Ultra HD),
- comfortable, large design armchairs and
- a small library.
Other Services in MOM Park
- Electric vehicle charging station
- mobile/tablet charging station
- child care (in the Playhouse: every day: 10.00 – 19.00
- luggae locker
The lockers function with 100-forint or 1-euro coins placed in the door, which are returned after use. The left luggage lockers operate during the opening hours of the shops.
If I have time I also drop by the shop selling special teas (ground floor). The SPAR supermarket is a good place to buy some food stuff.
Duna Plaza
Address: Váci út 178., district XIII.
Getting there: M3 metro (blue line) Gyöngyösi utca station
Opening Hours:
- Shops: Mon – Sat: 10.00 – 21.00, Sun 10.00 – 19.00,
- Cafes, Restaurants: Mon-Sat: 10.00 – 21.00, Sun: 10.00 – 19.00, some cafes/bakry are open from 08.00
- Fitness center: Mon – Sat: 06.00 – 20.00, Sun: 08.00 – 20.00
More than 100 shops, multiplex cinema, eateries, cafés.HDuna Plaza has a range of
- Fashion shops (H & M, Promod, Orsay),
- Shoe shops,
- A drugstore,
- A Libri Bookstore,
- Post office,
- Restaurants (KFC, McDonalds, Pizza Hut)
- Cafes (Costa Coffee, McCafe),
- Príma food store
- Fitness centre, and a
- Cinema
Pólus Center
Address: Szentmihályi út 131., XV. district
Getting there: by shuttle bus from M2 metro, Keleti pu station
Opening Hours:
- Mall: Mon – Sat: 10.00 – 20.00, Sun: 10.00 – 19.00
- Restaurants, cafes: Mon -Sun: 09.30-22.00
- Tesco Hipermarket: Mon -Sat: 06.00-22.00, Sun: 07.00 – 20.00
- Cinema ticket office: Mon -Fri: 10.30 – 21.30, Sat – Sun, holidays: 09.30 – 21.30
- Ice rink: Mon-Sun: 09.00 – 23.00
The second largest Budapest Shopping Mall, after West End City Center.
The huge Tesco supermarket is open round the clock every day.
Other highlights of Pólus are the fast food restaurants, pubs, cafés and the multiplex cinema.
Campona
Address: Nagytétényi út 37-43., XXII. district
Getting there: buses: 114, 213, 214 from Bikás park M4 metro station, bus 133E from Keleti Railway Station
Parking is free every day, 0.00 – 24.00.
Opening Hours
- Shops: Mon – Sat: 10.00 – 20.00, Sun: 10.00 – 19.00 Tesco: Mon – Sat: 06.00 – 22.00, Sun: 07.00 – 20.00
- Cafes, Restaurants: Mon – Sat: 10.00 – 22.00, Sun: 09.00 – 20.00
- Fitness 5 & Gym: Mon – Sat: 06.00 – 22.00, Sun: 08.00 – 19.00
- Palace of Scientific Wonders (Csodák Palotája): Mon – Fri: 09.00 – 19.00, Sat – Sun: 10.00 – 20.00
- Tropicarium: Mon – Sun: 10.00 – 20.00
- Playhouse: Mon – Sat: 10.00 – 20.00, Sun: 09.00 – 19.00
It’s situated a bit far from the city centre, so do count in the time of getting there by public transport.
Once you get there you can while away the hours, browsing the shops, going to the cinema or the Tropicarium Aquarium or having coffee or soemthing to eat at one of the several restaurants and cafes.
There’s a Tesco supermarket on the ground floor. The food courst has a KFC, Salad Box,
The Tonny Bennett British Delicatesse also on the ground floor sells all-things English: from quality teas to Shortbread and Walkers biscuits, Mackay’s jams, Jordan’s cereals, chocolates and sweets.
The SportsDirect store opened in 2016 on 1600 sqm (ground floor).
The Palace of Scientific Wonders is great fun for the whole family: a scientific playhouse with plenty of interactive games, activities and programs.
The Playhouse on the 1st level offers activities on 1000 sqm for toddlers and bigger kids alike.
It has a buffet and you can have your kids birthdayparty here too.
Lurdy Ház
Address: Könyves Kálmán körút 12-14., IX. district,
Getting there: tram 1, bus 103 Mester utca stop, M3 Népliget station, from there tram 1 or bus 103
Parking: weekdays: first 3 hours are free then 200 HUF/hour, weekend: free
Opening Hours:
- Shops: Mon – Fri: 10.00 – 20.00, Sat – Sun 10.00 – 19.00
- Reál Food Store: Mon – Fri: 07.30 – 21.00, Sat: 09.00 – 20.00, Sun: 10.00 – 18.00
- SciTec Fitness Club: every day: 0.00 – 24.00
- Cinema ticket office: Mo Fri: 12.45 – 21.30, Sat – Sun: 09.45 – 21.30
Not the most ideal place for shopping addicts because it has less shops than other Budapest Shopping Malls:
- some fashion shops
- an Alexandra Bookstore
- dm Drogerie – cosmetics, healthcare, and household products store
- some banks
- a Reál foodstore
- McCafe shop
- a Lipóti bakery
Semiramis Coffes Shop sells gourmet coffees.
A few cafés and pubs and the multiplex cinema make a visit worthwhile. You might want to pop in the Zsolnay Márkabolt to buy Hungarian porcelain.
Budagyöngye Shopping Center
Address: Szilágyi Erzsébet fasor 121., district II. Buda
Getting there: from Széll Kálmán tér take bus 22, 56 or 156 or tram 56, get off at Budagyöngye stop
Opening Hours:
- Shops: Mon – Fri: 10.00 – 19.00, Sat: 10.00 – 15.00, Sun: closed,
- Food stores: Mon – Fri: 08.00 – 19.00, Sat: 08.00 – 20.00, Sun: closed
- Retaurants, cafes: Mon – Fri: 08.00 – 19.00, Sat: 08.00 – 20.00, Sun: 10.00 – 15.00
In the Bortársaság Wine Shop on the underground level the helpful staff gives assistance to choose the right wines that match your taste.
Buy cheese that go with the wine in the Szega Cheese delicatessen offering wide selection of Hungarian and imported cheeses.
For healthier stuff visit the Szega Több Mint Zöldség: fresh, fruits and vegetables, smoothies.
The Lilipop Cake behind the Szega Shop on the gorund floor makes all-natural cakes and snacks, jams and fruit syrups.
You might want to pop in the Herendi Porcelain Shop on the ground floor too.
A range of services are also available in Budagyöngye:
- massage, Thai massage
- bank
- dry cleaner’s
- clothing repair
- post office
- dentist
Eurocenter Óbuda
Address: Bécsi út 154. district III.
Getting there: tram 1 or 1A Bécsi út terminus, bus 60, 18
Opening hours:
- Interspar supermarket: Mon-Thurs 7.00-21.00, Fri 7.00-22.00, Sat 7.00-21.00, Sun 8.00-20.00
- other shops: Mon-Sat 10.00-20.00, Sun 10.00-18.00
- Palace Euro Center cinema ticket office: Mon-Fri: 13.00-22.45, Sat-Sun: 10.00-22.45
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