5The Duchess
The Duchess is a panoramic cocktail bar in downtown, atop the Baroque Revival building of the five-star Matild Palace hotel. The views are hard to beat – Elizabeth Bridge, Gellért Hill, and Budapest’s densely built downtown all seem within arm’s reach. The Duchess' moniker honors Archduchess Clotilde; a granddaughter of French King Louis Philippe I, she lived in Hungary and commissioned the building in 1899.
Custom-made and classic cocktails are both available and expertly prepared. As are small plates to share (smoked salmon with blini!). The Duchess isn’t exactly wallet-friendly, but, budget permitting, it offers a memorable experience to see the city from up above. In the winter, the activity shifts to the inside, but access to the outdoors is available for a peek.
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