The Matild Café & Cabaret, in Budapest, Hungary, opened in 1901, and, under its former name, Belvárosi Kávéház (Downtown Café) became the epicenter of the city’s Belle Epoque era. The café is located within a historic building, now Matild Palace Hotel, opened in 2021 as part of Marriott’s The Luxury Collection hotel brand.

The original Matild Palace was built 120 years ago and developed under the patronage of Her Imperial and Royal Highness Maria Klotild of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to serve as the social hub of the city. Matild Palace was part of her vision to create two Baroque palaces, acting as a gateway to those entering the Pest side of the city from Elisabeth Bridge. It became a UNESCO World Heritage site in the 1970s and today offers 111 guestrooms, with many overlooking the Danube River, and 19 suites, including the Crown Tower Suite and Maria Klotild Royal Suite.

© Matild Palace

After World War II, the café closed and remained shuttered until just after the Hungarian Revolution in 1956. Over time, the location became one of the most popular entertainment venues in the city thanks to its everyday musical programs. From 1984, and after another renovation, the venue returned to the public consciousness as Belvárosi Kávéház Lidó, offering wonderful entertainment as a café-cabaret, a casino and then a nightclub.

This year, after a detailed, five-year renovation, Matild Café & Cabaret is again hosting guests with a new interior replicating the Belle Epoque era, and locals and hotel guests can now enjoy the special cabaret shows at Matild Café & Cabaret, including high-quality coffees, artisan bonbons at the café’s chocolate atelier, and traditional cakes and pastries.

© Matild Palace

A modern two-story, 300-seat café restaurant has been operating at Matild Palace Hotel since October under the gastronomic direction of master chef Wolfgang Puck. Spago Budapest by Wolfgang Puck marks the debut of the Beverly Hills dining phenomenon in Europe.

Of course, with Wolfgang Puck’s Spago Budapest, now part of the scene at Matild Palace, guests will be drawn to its interior of marble, brass, wood and leather, featuring a series of food counters and show kitchens, allowing guests to sample a California-style dining experience alongside many traditional Hungarian dishes. Spago Budapest is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with al fresco dining available at Duna Street terrace. Wolfgang Puck also oversees culinary offerings at The Duchess rooftop bar and Matild Café and Cabaret.

© Matild Palace

“The re-opening of the Matild Café & Cabaret is a joyful return to my Austrian roots, recalling the taste of my mother’s classic pastries from my childhood,” said Wolfgang Puck. “And now the residents of Budapest and visitors can again discover these special tastes through the traditional cakes of the historic café.”

“I believe that the unique atmosphere of the Matild Café, the culinary art of Wolfgang Puck at Spago, and the special cabaret shows will shake up the social life of Budapest,” said Selim Olmez, general manager, Matild Palace.