Discover Budapest's vibrant Jewish Quarter

Published: April 10 2023

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The Jewish Quarter is an enclosed part of Budapest's District 7, and it was here that Jewish people started to settle towards the end of the 18th century. Despite being assimilated into Hungarian culture and viewing themselves as Hungarians, the tragic events of World War II, particularly the Holocaust, drove Jewish-Hungarian relations into deterioration.

During this time, the Jewish Quarter was turned into a ghetto by the German and Hungarian Nazis, resulting in many fatalities. Several Holocaust memorials in the area now stand to remember the tragic past.

Budapest's Jewish Quarter features three synagogues that are a sight to behold. The largest and most notable is the Dohány Street Synagogue, while the Rumbach Street Synagogue is not in use anymore, and the orthodox Kazinczy Street Synagogue has fewer than a hundred members. The ruin bars are a must-visit, with Szimpla Kert regarded as Budapest's most famous.

The bustling Jewish Quarter is also home to great food joints, bars, restaurants, and cafes that cater to various cuisines and interests, including breathtaking Michelin-decorated restaurants, traditional and old-school Hungarian fare, Japanese food, and chic Middle Eastern-themed restaurants.

The Hungarian culture has been revitalized in the Jewish Quarter with its booming tourism scene, but the increasing footfall of tourists is driving the prices up, ultimately driving the local residents away. A number of new places lack the spirit and charm of the old district. Despite the downside, the Jewish Quarter still maintains its unique and vibrant culture, which is worth experiencing.

Budapest's Jewish Quarter is a historically and culturally-rich neighborhood that boasts some of the city's most vibrant bars, restaurants, and cafes. The area has been revitalized from a once-neglected area to one of Budapest's tourist hot spots. The recently booming tourism industry is driving up the prices and driving the local residents away, but there are still plenty of great food joints, bars, restaurants, and cafes to visit that cater to different tastes and budgets. Take a whirlwind tour of the notable synagogues, try some cultural specialty dishes or experience Budapest's most famous ruin bars – take in the fun of it all while also appreciating the rich history of the area.