Elysée Café was opened in 1931, in the imposing building of MÁK palace at Kossuth Square. It was originally planned to be an elegant musical-dancing café - as a counterpart to the well known café Monico, but it became one of the most favourite place of the bourgeoisie who liked card games. They even got a nicely decorated room dedicated for their passion for the game called bridge at Elysée, as well.

A Hungarian novelist, Géza Ottlik visited the place – and obviously the bridge room, too – and wrote several heart-warming phrases of local specialties: “Elysée had fantastic wieners, and a goodly portion of potato salad with mayonnaise always came on the side with everything.” He must have loved the place.

During WWII, the cafés on the square continued to operate, even providing music and shows until it was possible. After the war came the Communist takeover, and every café on the square had been nationalised. Some of them closed, others changed functions. Élysée closed down, while the neighbouring Monico – under the name Szófia – primarily served tourist groups.

After several decades, Elysée has returned to Kossuth Square, under the name Elysée Bistro, to be the proud successor of the Elysée Café. Their aim is to become a meeting point of gourmets, where typical Hungarian and French bistro meals combine, always using the freshest ingredients. The guests are welcome in a sympathetic, elegant, homey atmosphere which promises them to enjoy the ambience of old-fashioned cafés and modern bistros at the same time.

“Our predecessor has done so much to fill the neighborhood of the Parliament with life, and we desire to accomplish the same. We offer tasty meals, one of the most beautiful sights in Budapest and a few kind words to you, in a very unique location” – they write about themselves at their homepage.

Our tip:

You can enjoy the last really warm days of early fall on the terrace of Elysée Bistro. Enjoy a fröccs or something from their daily changing lunch menu offer for 1890 HUF.

photos:Elysée