The Magic, Budapest – Is this Harry Potter Café Worth Visiting?
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If you’re a Potterhead visiting Budapest, then you must stop by The Magic.
It’s a mystical set of cafés that will transport you to the Wizarding World.
Inside awaits enchantment around every corner with moving portraits, spell books, and cauldrons. You’ll feel like a true witch or warlock.
You can enjoy a menu of delectable savoury dishes or try one of their potion cocktails and sweet treats.
As a lover of all things Harry Potter and fantasy, I just knew I had to visit.
Here is my complete review of The Magic, Budapest and whether it’s worth it.
What is The Magic, Budapest?
The Magic is a chain of spellbinding restaurants in Budapest inspired by Harry Potter.
They often go viral on social media due to their mystical interiors, potion cocktails and bewitching dishes.
It’s gotten so popular in the city that there are now two locations, and each one is a portal to a universe of magic.
I’m a huge Harry Potter fan who has been to almost all of the filming locations around the UK. So, I was very excited to experience it for myself.
It’s worth noting that, although it has a Harry Potter vibe, this café is not officially affiliated with the Warner Bros. franchise.
A Harry Potter-inspired Café
Although The Magic is not an official Harry Potter Café, the entire place feels like you’ve stepped into the Wizarding World.
From moving portraits on the walls, broomsticks, owls, cauldrons, and spell books around every corner. It’s filled with secrets to uncover.
There’s even a dark room inspired by Slytherin and the Deathly Hallows.
You’ll find a green fireplace, slithering basilisks and cryptic messages from ‘He Who Shall Not Be Named’.
It’s the ideal place for Potterheads to grab a hearty dinner or sample potion cocktails and tasty desserts.
What’s on The Magic menu?
The Magic has a huge menu of dishes worthy of a feast at Hogwarts Great Hall!
It’s mainly English / American cuisine with a few Hungarian dishes thrown in. There are both meat and vegetarian options.
You can get breakfast, and I love the fact that there is a Full English to order with ‘dragon eggs’.
Their magical main courses include pasta, fish, black bun burgers, salads, BBQ ribs and chicken.
All are generous servings and come with a magical twist.
With names like Morgana’s Secret, Salmonus Black, Phoenix’s Kiss and Kraken’s Prey, you can’t help but be intrigued.
Alas, I had already had lunch by this point in the afternoon. So, I skipped the main course to order a cocktail and a sweet treat.
Steaming Cauldron Cocktails
The thing that drew me to this Harry Potter café was their extensive list of Steaming Cauldron Cocktails on the menu.
You can choose your tonic of a Love Potion, Liquid Luck, Essence of Darkness or Beauty Elixir, served in one of their signature cauldrons.
Your friendly Potion’s Master will help you, and your brew will bubble and boil before your very eyes!
I decided to pick the Love Potion, which had flavours of strawberry and cotton candy, and it was utterly delicious.
When my cauldron started steaming, it felt like I was attending a Potion’s Class at Hogwarts.
Of course, if you’d rather, they have soft drinks, traditional cocktails, beer and spirits to choose from.
Enchanted desserts & waffles
The Magic are famous for its decadent range of sweet treats, and so you must save room for one of their iconic bubble waffles.
You can choose from a House Elf Dainty made with chocolate, or the green Orc Treat made with banana and toffee.
I decided to order the Unicorn Delicacy, a delicious pink waffle served with white chocolate, strawberries and whipped cream. It was so moreish.
If you would rather, you can also order a fairy cheesecake, mystic dumplings or Chocolatearmus with a brownie and ice cream.
Is The Magic in Budapest worth visiting?
Yes, I believe that The Magic is totally worth visiting, especially if you’re a Potterhead or someone who loves fantasy worlds.
They have a huge selection of savoury dishes to choose from, but their cauldron cocktails and sweet treats are the highlight.
Harry Potter and the Wizarding World is my comfort place, and I had a wonderful time here, enjoying the mystical atmosphere.
Don’t skip The Magic, Budapest. It’s an enchanting café that is truly out of this world.
Where is The Magic in Budapest?
This café has become so popular in the city, there are now two locations of The Magic in Budapest. These are;
- The Magic 1: 1065 Budapest Hajós utca 25. Click here for a pin.
- The Magic 2: 1065 Bp. Nagymező utca 45. Click here for a pin.
All of the photos in this post are from The Magic 1, their original café.
But The Magic 2 looks very similar in design and is only a couple of blocks away.
They also own the Pirate Empire bar (Kalóz Étterem). I’m obsessed with pirates, so I’m definitely going to visit next time.
It’s designed like a galleon, and they have an enormous kraken trying to break through the ship’s portholes!
What are the opening hours?
Both of The Magic branches are open from:
- Monday to Friday: 11 am – 10 pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 10 am – 10 pm
The only days that they close throughout the year are the 24th of December and the 1st of January.
Although they do allow walk-ins, I highly recommend making a reservation to avoid disappointment. It’s a very popular place!
Why not visit Magic Rooms?
Along with their Harry Potter-inspired cafés, the company own ‘Magic Rooms’ which are a collection of 10 themed escape rooms.
They have a selection of Harry Potter escape rooms, with different story lines.
But, they also have Jumanji, Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean and even Wednesday-themed puzzles to solve.
It does look incredibly fun, and most of them last for around an hour. You can always split the cost between friends.
More enchanting things to do in Budapest
Budapest is one of my favourite cities in Europe, and there is so much to see and do here.
One of the most magical places to visit is the Fisherman’s Bastion, which looks like a castle in a fantasy world. Best visited at sunrise.
Just nearby, you can visit Buda Castle, which has some stunning views over the city and the Budapest Parliament Building.
You can visit one of the famous ruin bars like Szimpla Kurt, learn about the history of the Rock Church, or visit Gelert Hill for sunset.
Or, why not discover some hidden gems like the Metropolitan Ervin Szabo Library?
It’s a public library in a former palace and is a book lover’s paradise. Potterheads will love it!
I also loved the Vajdahunyad Castle, which is a copy of one in Romania and has a delightful museum inside.
There are plenty more cafés to visit, like the New York Café, Café Twentysix and the Parisi Passage.
No visit would be complete without a visit to the thermal baths here. The most popular are Széchenyi or Gellert Baths, my personal favourite.
Recommended Travel Resources
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Read more of my Hungary travel guides
How to visit Bory Castle in Hungary
Discover Hungary
Want more Harry Potter guides?
40+ Harry Potter locations in London
20+ Harry Potter locations in Edinburgh
12+ Harry Potter locations in Scotland
How to ride the Hogwarts Express
17+ Harry Potter locations in York
Durham Cathedral Harry Potter filming locations
Gloucester Cathedral Harry Potter locations
Harry Potter locations at Alnwick Castle
How to spend the night in Hagrid’s Hut in Yorkshire
Save The Magic Budapest Harry Potter Café for later!
