Kosher Guide to Budapest

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Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is about 16 km southeast of the centre. The BKK 100E Airport Shuttle bus runs to the city centre (2,500 HUF ticket), and taxis and Bolt rides wait outside the terminal.

No. The Jewish Quarter, the Chabad House and most kosher food are within walking distance of each other, and BKK's metro, trams and buses cover the rest of the city.

Most kosher restaurants are on or near Kazinczy utca in District VII: Carmel, Hanna and Shuk HaCarmel (meat), Tel Aviv Café (dairy), Marrakesh and Falafel Bar on Wesselényi utca, and Hummusbar Kosher (pareve). Brooklyn Bagel is in the Zsilip center in District XIII.

Most kosher restaurants, bakeries and shops are certified by the Beth Din Tzedek of the Chareidi Communities of Budapest under Rabbi Boruch Oberlander. Hanna is under the CRC and Hummusbar Kosher under Chug Chatam Sofer of Petach Tikva.

Kosher Market on Dohány utca 36 is the main kosher grocery, open Sunday to Friday and closed on Shabbos. UpTown Kosher Bakery on Nagy Diófa utca sells challah and pastries.

Yes. The Budapest Eruv, under Rabbi Boruch Oberlander, covers most of Pest within its mapped boundary, including the Jewish Quarter and Districts V, VI, VII, VIII and XIII. It is checked weekly and its status is posted on eruv.hu. Buda and Óbuda are outside it.

Book Shabbos meals in advance with Chabad House Budapest, Carmel or Hanna. Stay within walking distance of a shul, as the metro and trams are not an option, and check the eruv status on eruv.hu before Shabbos.

Hotels in District VII and nearby Districts V and VI, such as Hotel Memories, Moxy Budapest Downtown, the Continental, the Leonardo M-Square, the Astoria and the Carat, are a few minutes' walk from the Kazinczy Street Synagogue and the Chabad House.

Yes. Chabad House Budapest lists a mikvah for men and women, and the Orthodox community (MAOIH) runs a mikvah in the Kazinczy Street complex. Contact them in advance to arrange a visit.

Kosher restaurants and Kosher Market close on Friday afternoon and Shabbos. The Dohány Street Synagogue and the Holocaust Memorial Center are closed on Saturday, while the outdoor memorials and the Danube embankment are always open.

The Chabad House on Károly körút holds daily prayers. In the Jewish Quarter there are the Kazinczy Street Synagogue and the Ohel Eszter prayer house, and EMIH runs synagogues in Districts VI, XIII, III, XI and the Castle District.

Chabad House Budapest (Keren Or) is at Károly körút 20, at the edge of the Jewish Quarter, about 450 m from the Kazinczy Street Synagogue. It is open daily and runs prayers, Shabbos meals and a visitor desk.

Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) have mild weather for walking. Summers are hot and busy, and winters are cold with very early Friday Shabbos starts.