Daubner Cukrászda
Daubner Cukrászda is characterized by a constant long queue, but their delicious cakes make the wait worth-while. The selection is so wide that it normally takes a while for a newcomer to choose the cakes.
Highly recommended are Gellért tekercs, Somlói galuska (the best in town), Mandulás roletti, Túrós rétes, E80 torta (with coffee mouse on top), and Florentin.
Daubner Cukrászda is the best bakery we found in Budapest so far. The only let down was the espresso and their ice cream, which is really not on par with the cakes.
Location: Buda II, Szépvölgyi út 50 (about 6 minutes walk from Kolosy tér. Tel.: 335 22 53. Open: daily 9:00-19:00.
Europa Cukrászda
Europa Cukrászda sells delicious home-made ice cream. The mogyoró (hazelnut), diós (walnut) and mango flavours all taste natural.
Our top choice among the pastries is Soproni túrós szelet (tehéntúró sandwiched between a layer of vanilla cake and strawberry jam).
Europa Cukrászda used to give 20% discount after 18:00.
Location: Pest V, Szent István körút 7-9. Tel.: 312 2362. Open: 1 November - 30 April: 9:00-22:00; 1 May - 31 October: 9:00-23:00. Web: www.europakavehaz.hu
Jégbüfé
Jégbüfé is nice during day time, since you can eat your dessert standing up behind a large glass window, watching people passing by. Unfortunately, out of the wide variety of desserts we tried, only Túrós papucs and Túrós táska (bread or flaky pastry with cottage cheese filling) were good. We were also told by other people that only the pastries are safe bet in Jégbüfé, so you can skip the cakes.
There is a high chance of getting rude treatment from some of the waitresses.
There is a funny ordering system at Jégbüfé. Check out the selection first, remember Hungarian names of the items you wish to order (tough!) and tell them to the cashier, hoping that she will understand your funny accent. Pay for the items, get the receipt, go back to the person serving food, give the receipt to her and hope that you'll get the items you wanted.
Location: Pest V, Ferenciek Tere 10. Open: Thu-Tue 7:00-21:00, Wed 7:00-19:00
Lukács Cukrászda
Lukács Cukrászda used to be a coffee house of the Communist Police. Now beautifully restored, it is worth a visit during a stroll on Andrássy út.
Meggyes rétes (sour cherry strudel) and strawberry cream cake we tried were good, the chocolate cake was too dry.
Location: Pest VI, Andrássy út 70 (less than 10 minutes walk from Oktogon towards the direction of Heroes' Square). Open: Mon-Fri 9:00-20:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-20:00. Web: www.lukacscukraszda.com
Pöttyös Túró Rudi
Pöttyös Túró Rudi is not a place, it is chilled sweet cottage cheese covered with a thin layer of dark chocolate. 9 out of 10 Hungarians love it (and quite some foreigners too).
Túró Rudi is wrapped in a white wrapper with red polka dots, so you can't miss it. It is available at all supermarkets and convenience shops/stalls. Don't leave Hungary without trying it!
Princess
Princess has many outlets around town. Their pastries are nothing to write home about, but they are safe bet if you need to grab a snack on the run. The outlet at Nyugati metro station entrance seems to be the best (we don't know why, maybe their oven settings are different?).
Our favourites are Vanilla rétes and Nagy Túrós táska.
Location: Most metro stations in Budapest.
Szalai Cukrászda
Szalai Cukrászda is a little old cafe serving good home-made coffee cake and túrós rétes. Ice-cream is not notable. When we visited, the waitress spoke English and the service was friendly.
Location: Pest V, Balassi Bálint utca 7. Open: Wed-Mon 9:00-19:00
Szamos Marcipán
Szamos Marcipán sells irresistible Burgonya marcipán (there are two types, one is a size of a cherry and the other that we would recommend is about the size of a tennis ball). The fine dark chocolate mousse is wrapped in a layer of sponge cake and a layer of delicious marzipan, coated with cacao powder. It's oh-so-yummy!
Another of our favourites at Szamos Marcipán is Budai Kremes.
Location: Pest V, Párisi u. 3. Open: daily 10-19. Web: www.szamosmarcipan.hu
Szamos Marcipán (Royal Kávéház & Conditorei)
Serving same types of cakes and pastries as the outlet above, Royal Kávéház & Conditorei is a nicer venue in a five star Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal.
Service is friendlier than at Párisi utca. The prices however are a little bit higher, since some sort of service charge is added to the bill. It's a shame that this coffee house is only open until 8pm.
Location: Pest VII, Erzsébet körút 43-49. At Corinthia Grand Royal Hotel.