From flea markets to bookstores to designer clothing to handmade shoe manufacturers – see if anything strikes your fancy.
Andrássy Avenue is where one can quickly shell out a fortune in stores such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Rolex, and Jimmy Choo. Big commercial chains including Zara and H&M and touristy folklore stores crowd the busy Váci utca in downtown. In between, both price-wise and geographically, is Fashion Street – a pedestrian row with Hugo Boss, Lacoste, Massimo Dutti and similar labels.
Shopping malls have siphoned away many customers from downtown, which is why, for example, the once truly grand Grand Boulevard (Nagykörút) appears so forlorn these days. If you are curious about a Budapest mall, try WestEnd City Center, a gigantic temple of commerce by the Nyugati Railway Station.
I highlighted below some of my favorite specialty stores in Budapest. They are scattered across different neighborhoods, but almost all are in or within walking distance of downtown.
ANTIQUES, PRINTS, FLEA MARKETS
#1 - Antique row on Falk Miksa Street (€30-10,000; location; usually 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Fri, 10-2 on Saturday; closed on Sunday): Lined with more than 35 antique stores and art galleries, Falk Miksa utca in Budapest’s downtown has been the center for antiques since the 1990s. Some places specialize in porcelain, silver, and glassware, others sell prints, paintings, yet others do textiles, embroidery, and furniture. 18th-century decorative swords are what you’re after? Not a problem. Most of these stores are relatively pricey but tchotchkes and knick-knacks are also aplenty. Closed on Sunday!
#2 - Herend Porcelain (€80-20,000; location; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Fri, 10-2 on Saturday; closed on Sunday): What Meissen is to Germany and Sèvres to France is Herend to Hungary – the center for porcelain manufacturing. Founded in 1825, Herend initially specialized in Meissen and Sèvres replacements for the Hungarian aristocracy before introducing its own line of dishware, tea and coffee sets, and vases. Today, Herend Porcelain still hand-paints all products which are exported to countries around the world.
The company’s flagship store in Budapest’s József nádor tér sells the classic lines, named after famous customers, such as Queen Victoria, Franz Joseph, Alexander von Humboldt, and the Rothschild family (my favorite is the "Gödöllő" label with its red-brick vertical bands – Franz Joseph was also a fan). Even if you don’t feel like dropping €2,000, it is possible to find small figurines and individual plates or bowls that go for €80 or so.
#3 - Zsolnay Porcelain (€80-20,000; location; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Fri, 10-4 on Saturday; closed on Sunday): Zsolnay was one of the biggest ceramics manufacturers in Austria-Hungary, decorating buildings and interiors all the way from Transylvania to Budapest to Vienna. Zsolnay’s golden period coincided with the Art Nouveau, when the company made a name for itself across Europe with its gorgeous vases, figurines, and dishware. Zsolnay is still around and still based in Pécs; its Budapest store sells both the historic lines and modern pieces.
#4 - Fine art prints and manuscripts along Múzeum körút (€100-2,000; location; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Fri, 10-2 on Saturday; closed on Sunday): Budapest’s antique bookstores concentrate along Múzeum körüt, across the street from the Hungarian National Museum. Many also sell Budapest-related fine art drawings, prints, vedute, and rare manuscripts (and perhaps more: I recently stumbled into Piranesi's dramatic views of Rome). Központi Antikvárium and Honterus are especially well-known for their etchings but it is worth perusing the places in between the two.
#5 - Ecclesia (€50-3,000; location; 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mon-Fri, 9-2 on Saturday; closed on Sunday): For much of Western history, artworks were predominantly depictions of Christian religious scenes, which means that one doesn’t need to be a believer to appreciate an elegantly painted Annunciation or an expressive statue of Saint Florian. Ecclesia, in downtown, is a depository in Budapest for religious artworks. Plenty of kitsch on the ground floor; the good stuff is upstairs.
#6 - Ecseri flea market (€30-5,000; location; 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday): Budapest’s most famous flea market specializes in antiques – on Saturday mornings, more than a hundred vendors sell statuettes, coins, Herendi and Zsolnay porcelain, paintings, prints, furniture, embroidery, you name it. Kitschy Communist-era stuff and tchotchkes are also to be had. Searching for a wild boar’s taxidermied head? Look near the entrance.
As with other flea markets, Ecseri draws an eclectic cast of characters: many vendors are second or third-generation Roma dealers, while customers include art gallery owners, intellectuals, bargain hunters, and people from outside Budapest.
Ecseri is open every day of the week, but Saturday is when the action is (the place is otherwise deserted). Ecseri-regulars show up at 5 a.m. for the widest selections and you would do well arrive by 8 a.m. Inside, a food stall serves delicious lángos, strudels, and roasted paprika sausages. Follow others around you and good things will come your way. Ecseri is reachable in 20 minutes by public transport from the center.
#7 - Klauzál flea market (Antik Placc) (€5-100; location; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, closed otherwise): For a smaller, mellower, and more conveniently located flea market, head to the Klauzál Market in Budapest's Jewish Quarter. Here, one will find the classic secondhand repertoire – porcelain dishware, Biedermeier clocks, folk clothing, vintage cameras, used vinyl albums. Bargaining is allowed and expected. Open only on Sundays!
BOOKSTORES (with English-titles)
#8 - Írók Boltja (€7-40; location; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Fri, 11-7 on Saturday; closed on Sunday): Since its 1952 opening, this snug bookstore along Andrássy Avenue has been an island of peace and quiet for local bookworms. The English-language books, located on the upper floor, feature translated works of prominent Hungarian writers, such as Sándor Márai and Péter Nádas. I hope they will never remove the vintage sign above the entry door.
#9 - Atlantisz Könyvsziget (€10-40; location; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Fri, 10-2 on Saturday, closed on Sunday): Located on the downtown-end of Király Street, Atlantisz sells a mix of English and Hungarian-language titles. They are strongest in (Hungarian) history, translated works of Hungarian writers, and art history. I have stumbled into many gems here, most recently David Cooper's biography of Béla Bartók.
#10 - FUGA - Budapest Center for Architecture (€7-50; location; 2-7 p.m. Wed-Sun; closed on Monday and Tuesday): Architecture fans shouldn’t miss this downtown bookstore which doubles as an exhibition gallery. The front of the space is piled with architecture books and Budapest guides – with many English titles – while the back and the downstairs are dedicated to temporary exhibitions and classical music performances. (Here, a list of the city's most interesting buildings.)
#11 - Massolit Books & Cafe (€5-30; location; 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. every day): This snug café and English-language bookstore inside the Jewish Quarter is a hallowed ground for brainy locals and tourists alike. The book-lined interior eschews the usual trappings of contemporary coffee shops, instead featuring worn-out furniture and a well-earned patina. The book selections span pulp fiction, history, biographies, classical literature, and English translations of Hungarian novelists such as Ferenc Molnár, Sándor Márai, Magda Szabó, and László Krasznahorkai. A word to the wise: in the warm months, they open the nondescript outdoor section in the back of the space. (My interview with the wonderful owner: Judit Pecák.) Also here: Offbeat Budapest t-shirts for sale!
#12 - Bestsellers (€10-40; location; 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mon-Fri, 11-6 on Saturday, 12-6 on Sunday): Situated in the heart of the city, Bestsellers is a dedicated English-language bookstore that is especially popular among local expatriates. The array of international magazines (Vanity Fair, Wallpaper, The Economist, GQ, etc.), classic fiction, and extensive Budapest-related guide books can make a visit worthwhile.
SKINCARE & PERFUMERY
#13 - Le Parfum (€150-500; location; 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Sat, 12-5 on Sunday): This niche perfumery store is run by Zsolt Zólyomi, a fragrance expert who studied perfumery composition at the prestigious ISIPCA in France. The store carries Zsolt’s own concoctions and other high-end labels. If you plan far ahead, you could schedule a private appointment which might include a bit of good-natured theatrics. The flagship boutique is located on the ground floor of the five-star Al Habtoor Palace in downtown.
#14 - Omorovicza (€60-350; location; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon-Fri, 10-6 on Saturday; closed on Sunday): This premium skincare line harnesses the supposed healing powers of Budapest’s mineral-rich thermal waters. The brand has conquered half the world since its launch in 2006, but the flagship store, also offering face massages and mud masks, is right here in Budapest.
DESIGNER CLOTHING
#15 - Nanushka (€80-2,000; location; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon-Sat, 12-6 on Sunday): This swanky downtown store is the flagship location of Nanushka, Budapest’s leading women’s fashion label. Nanushka’s easy-to-wear cosmopolitan pieces comprise updated and pricey takes on trendy fashion. For an energy boost, one can order a shot of espresso from the specialty café inside the store.
#16 - Nubu Zen Store (€150-3,000; location; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Sat, 11-6 on Sunday): This high-end designer store by founder Judit Garam and co-designer Adél Kovács is located on Andrássy Avenue. The clothes are made from natural materials such as silk and cotton and linen blends using lots of white, black, pale pink, and pale beige. There's some ruffle and lace and flirtatious lines, but these are modern classics that will last a lifetime.
VINTAGE CLOTHING AND THRIFT SHOPS
#17 - Typo Showroom (€30-500; location; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon-Sat, closed on Sunday): Tucked away on a cool part of District 8 near Mikszáth tér, Typo is a higher end second-hand store. The clothes are in top condition and range from casual chic to formal, from fast fashion to designer labels such as Burberry, Lanvin, and Isabel Marant. Men's clothes on the ground level; women's section upstairs; accessories at the front.
#18 - Komondors Vintage Shop (€20-300; location; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mon-Wed, otherwise 10 a.m. to midnight): Komondors is a buzzing vintage clothing store in the heart of the Jewish Quarter along Wesselényi utca. The assortment ranges from soccer jerseys through riding boots, Doc Martens, fur coats, leather jackets, army vests, and silk scarves (mostly men’s items). A few upcycled pieces and designer bags here and there. The store is equipped with a bar counter that serves pastries, coffee, and local craft beers. The latter is a clever marketing ploy to ease any purchasing indecisions, especially those made late at night, since Komondors stays open until midnight.
#19 - Humana Vintage Astoria (€1-20; location; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Fri, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the weekend): Humana is an international network of donation-based thrift stores specialized in second-hand clothing. Each month, Humana cycles through its full inventory which means that two weeks before the turnover date, they start discounting all items and gradually lower prices until everything costs about one euro. Friends who know more about thrift stores than I do recommended Humana’s Astoria location as the ideal destination for treasure hunting.
#20 - Retrock (€30-300; location; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mon-Sat, 11-8 on Sunday): If aged denim jackets, worn-in plaid flannel shirts, and quirky tweed jackets are your design choices, then head to Retrock, the mecca for vintage clothes in Budapest. Besides second-hand retro items, they also sell a colorful collection of rugged sweaters and imported bags from Ecuador.
#21 - Ludovika (€20-250; location; 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mon-Fri, 12-6 on Saturday; closed on Sunday): Ludovika is a women's vintage store in Budapest's Jewish Quarter specializing in cute and approachable throwback items: for example blouses adorned with Hungarian folk motifs, bohemian denim dresses, and bracelets and silk scarfs (check the upstairs, too).
#22 - Jajcica (€10-200; location; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Fri, 10-2 on Saturday; closed on Sunday): Local fashion-insiders might guide you to Jajcica for a true-to-Budapest vintage shopping experience. Whether a chic 1930s look with fun throwback dresses is what you are after, or heavy metal fashion complete with leather jackets and motorcycle apparel, this labyrinthine store offers something for everyone. They are especially well stocked with Levi's jeans and shoes of all kinds, but it is the kind of place where Ralph Lauren waxed jackets also hang on the clothing rack.
SPECIALTY STORES
#23 - Vass shoes (€400-2,000; location; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Fri, 10-4 on Saturday; closed on Sunday): Founded in 1978 by shoemaker László Vass, this upscale men’s shoe store is a pilgrimage site for shoe-fanatics from around the world: Vass’ handmade suede loafers, high-polished oxfords, and classic derbys are considered to be among the top globally. Vass keeps an inventory of all the models in-store, but customers can also order a bespoke pair.
#24 - Tisza Cipő (€80-200; location; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Fri, 10-4 on Saturday; closed on Sunday): Launched in 1971, Tisza was a fashionable shoe brand in Communist Hungary known for its iconic logo emblazoned with the letter T. My mom, for example, has fond memories of her “very chic” Tisza sandals. The company struggled to survive in the capitalist era but in 2003 a local businessman, László Vidák, revived the label which has been going strong ever since (Vidák is also in charge of the excellent Menza restaurant).
Tisza’s models are inspired by nostalgia for the past, but these leather sneakers are also comfy and cool. Most of the twelve lines are unisex. My favorites are “Sport” and “Astoria,” the latter named after the location of Tisza’s Budapest store. All shoes are manufactured in Tiszakeszi in eastern Hungary; in addition to shoes they also make backpacks and accessories.
#25 - Koller Art Gallery (€500-50,000; location; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thu-Mon; closed Tue-Wed): When I’m up in the Castle Hill, I usually stop by Koller, a hidden apartment gallery that impresses both with its art and its panorama. The place was founded in 1953 by the legendary art dealer György Koller, who managed to find breathing room and support Hungarian painters and sculptors at a time when the Communist regime decimated the private market.
Today, the slender three-story apartment is piled with Hungarian art from the 20th century and the present day. The top floor has a memorial room to the Hungarian-Italian sculptor, Amerigo Tot (1909-1984), whose studio this once was and who might be familiar to people from his cameo appearance in The Godfather (Part 2). For more Budapest art galleries, proceed this way.
#26 - Hús Specialista (€10-200; location; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Fri; 8-2 on Saturday; closed on Sunday): Even if you are visiting just for a few days, you could pick up some delicious cold cuts from Krisztián, my favorite butcher in Budapest. Paprika sausage, mangalica ham, Italian salumi, or whatever he recommends. He mans the counter most days at the Klauzál Market. I live in the neighborhood and have been a customer for years – tell him I sent you, he might even give you a discount.
#27 - Tokaj Disznókő wines at Vinugo (€25-300; location; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mon-Sun): If you have already tasted the complex sweet wines of Tokaj, you know why Tokaj is Hungary's most renowned wine region. Capitalizing on a humid microclimate and the appearance of a benign fungus, Tokaj winemakers since the 16th century have been producing layered and delicious wines – true earthly pleasures. Disznókő, an iconic label, is my favorite (I even got to contribute to their 2021 harvest). This downtown store on Váci utca offers Disznókő samples to try.
#28 - Bortársaság wine store (€10-300; location; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon-Fri, 10-7 on Saturday; closed on Sunday): Most people have heard of the wines of Tokaj, see above, but other Hungarian wine regions such as Somló, Eger, and Sopron have remained under the radar internationally. Bortársaság is an excellent national chain of wine stores with an informed staff and a wide selection. Here, you can read up on Hungarian wines.
#29 - Rózsavölgyi Chocolate (€7-50; location; 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mon-Fri, 12-6 on Saturday; closed on Sunday): Budapest is hardly known as a chocolate capital, but this family-run local chocolate maker produces some world-class varieties. Rózsavölgyi imports single-origin cocoa beans directly from farms in Venezuela, Peru, Tanzania, and Madagascar, processing them in-house, in order that the natural flavors shine through. Dark, milk, and flavored kinds are all available.
#30 - Hamerli Gloves (€75-650; location; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mon-Sun): The southwestern city of Pécs is known for many things; one of those things is being a hub of high-end glove manufacturing. In 2025, Pécs’s iconic glovemaker, Hamerli, which was founded in 1861, opened a specialty store in Budapest’s District 6, selling its full line of handwear from lightweight knit sheepskin to soft deerskin leather with cashmere lining. All pairs are handmade. With prices starting at €80, Pécs gloves aren’t cheap, but they are really beautiful and will last a lifetime.
#31 - Wave record store (€8-50; location; 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Mon-Fri, 11-5 on Saturday; closed on Sunday): Wave is more than a record store – it has been the hangout for fans of Hungarian alternative music since the 1990s. They have lived through the cycles: from vinyl to tape to CD and survived even when nobody wanted to pay for music. With current releases from all genres, especially Hungarian folk, jazz, and beat-selections, almost anyone can find something here. (Here, a full list of Budapest's top record stores.)
#32 - Hangszer Pláza (€10-2,000; location; 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mon-Fri; closed on the weekend): I would understand it if the main purpose of your Budapest trip was not to purchase a new guitar, but allow me to recommend an excellent all-purpose music store in the Jewish Quarter. On three levels, one can peruse drum sets, amplifiers, digital pianos, all sorts of audio gears and mics. Shop assistants are helpful without being pushy. Note: Hangszer Pláza is closed on the weekend!
#33 - Tipton Eyeworks (€280-500; location; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tue-Fri, 10-3 on Saturday; closed on Sunday and Monday): What do Elton John, Quentin Tarantino, and Robbie Williams have in common? The unlikely answer is that they all own Vinylize glasses, frames made of recycled vinyl records by local designer brand Tipton Eyeworks. Their downtown showroom sells hundreds of prescription and sunglass-ready vinyl frames and one can also glimpse the meticulous production process.
#34 - Kaczián Ties (€30-100; location; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sat; closed on Sunday): A true gem off the tourist-heavy Váci Street, Kaczián is a tiny, old-school store specializing in handmade ties, bow ties, pocket squares, and scarves. The Kaczián family has been in charge since the opening in 1957 (the production floor is on the upstairs). Wide assortment, reasonable prices, adorable spirit.
#35 - 1001 Kefe Brush Store (€10-50; location; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Fri; closed on the weekend): Opened in 1923, this specialty brush store is a precious relic in Budapest's Jewish Quarter. Whether you would like to tidy up your stache, polish your shoes, clean your keyboard, dust off some mushrooms, they will have something for you. Hence the name, 1001 Kefe. I recently bought a wonderful back-scratcher brush – one of those things you didn’t know you needed until you got one. The store is tiny, appealingly old-school, and owned by the same family since the start.
#36 - Fiók (€10-300; location; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday; closed on the weekend): A higher end stationery store off the Budapest University of Technology, Fiók started out serving the needs of engineering students and gradually expanded in scope. Their specialty is notebooks and pencils. I recently picked up a luxe Blackwing pencil coated in pastel pink (I am a repeat customer because I lose or misplace about five pencils a week). They also sell calendars, stickers, sticky notes, postcards, water bottles, and glasses. Both locally made and imported. Closed on the weekend! Once here, one could explore the lively Bartók Béla Boulevard.
#37 - Judapest (€20-300; location; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day): The famously anti-semitic mayor of Vienna, Karl Lueger (1844-1910), coined the mocking term – Judapest, referring to Budapest’s large Jewish population – which was later mirrored by like-minded Hungarians. Located smack in the middle of the city’s old Jewish Quarter, this designer store subverted and embraced the ridicule, selling items inspired by Jewish and Hungarian-Jewish culture. Mugs emblazoned with Yiddish-Hungarian words; earrings evoking the towers of the Dohány Street synagogue; seder plates and mezuzahs made from concrete; chic kippahs; and books by Jewish authors, for example.
#38 - Rododendron (€20-250; location; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Fri, 10-5 on Saturday; 11-3 on Sunday): This lovely design store hidden on a quiet downtown backstreet sells prints and posters made by Hungarian artists. My favorites include Anna Holló’s poignant cartoons and Marcus Goldson’s colorful Budapest characters. One will also find notebooks, postcards, jewelry, and some clothes here.
#39 - Museum store of the Hungarian National Gallery (€10-250; location; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sun in high season; otherwise closed on Monday): The gift shop of the Hungarian National Gallery up in the royal palace? A good one. The assortment contains the usual suspects – books, tote bags, pencils, fridge magnets, water bottles, postcards, notebooks, small designer clothing – but they are thoughtful and often decorated with artworks from the halls up top. The museum itself is also worth a visit.
#40 - Budapest Poster Gallery (€150-20,000; location; by appointment only: [email protected] or +3630 662 7274): With more than 2,500 original Hungarian vintage posters, this gallery is a treasure trove of graphic art. The collection includes Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Socialist Modern pieces by prominent local artists. It is an appointment-only gallery, so try perusing their online catalogue in advance, an experience in itself.
#41 - Buy an Offbeat Budapest t-shirt (€30; location; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day): Please forgive the self promotion: If you have enjoyed my articles, please consider supporting my work by buying an Offbeat Budapest t-shirt at Massolit bookstore cafe (see above). The shirts were printed by a local silk-screen printer and are available in all unisex sizes. The price is €30.