The best fashion and gift stores Budapest

The Tisza are shoes dating from the communist era, on which nobody would have bet a cent, thirty years ago. And yet, it's a real success story! After a thorough facelift, they were relaunched on the Hungarian market in 2003 by László Vidák - also owner of the Menza restaurant. These beautiful leather shoes are 100% made in Magyarország (even if the raw material is not Magyar). Every Hungarian must wear them! On the other hand, it is necessary to count a hundred euros the pair.

For music fans, here is an address that is worth a visit! In the catalog of István, who opened his store in 1986 at the same address, tens of thousands of vinyls, CDs and cassettes, most of which are exposed on the spot. Hungarian folk, jazz, blues, classical music, world music, film music, pop-rock, R'n'B... In total, there are not far from 600,000 titles that this enthusiast has carefully collected! Also serves as a ticket office on site (and online). English-speaking reception and functional online store.

On the first floor of this store, a very friendly record shop, Káloz records, has moved into the palace district. Second-hand records in several musical fields (Eastern European music, Hungarian folk music, India, Cuba, hip-hop, Erik Satie...), but also cassettes, CDs, funzines and accessories. Real pearls to seize, the passionate holders of excellent advice, make you listen with pleasure to the finds. The website is regularly updated to highlight the latest acquisitions.

The only international bookshop in the heart of Belváros. There are books in English (including a plethora of exciting social science books, since the Central European University is just around the corner), some French books, travel guides and some French press (in addition to the international press). The owner, Tony Lang, speaks fluent French and will answer your questions with the greatest kindness. He can even make you put aside your favorite newspaper! A good address for bibliophiles.

It's the trendy accessory in Budapest: Tipton glasses, the brainchild of Hungarian-American designer Zack, who and his brother took their parents' vinyl record collection and turned it into... frames! Since then, the brothers have gone from strength to strength, and the collection has expanded to include sunglasses. It is now distributed all over the world. Vintage and 100% eco-friendly, the frame still includes vinyl records. Book abroad.

Mono Fashion is one of Budapest's best fashion boutiques. It sells the creations of young Hungarian designers. These include Nubu, Galla, Folenta (jewelry)... There's something for everyone, men (and especially women) looking to combine contemporary style with elegance. It's also a good place to find handmade ceramics. Discreet welcome, but available and with good advice. An address with regular promotions, ideal for bringing back products made in Hungary with certainty.

This amazing building, all movement and roundness imitating the silhouette of a whale (hence the name in Hungarian!), finally opened its doors to the general public in 2013. The old warehouses along the Danube, behind the big market, were preserved, and a glass and metal structure was simply added. A few shops, restaurants and cafes/bars have been set up along the river and inside the structure, sometimes organizing concerts or DJ sets. The Danube promenade is particularly pleasant.

Housed in one of Budapest's most fabulous Art Nouveau buildings, the Török Bank, this ground-floor record shop is a favorite with music lovers, specializing in classical and jazz music. Large selection of scores, CDs... and a few books, as the company also has a publishing house. What's more, the company acts as a ticket office for just about every concert in Budapest. Hungarian audiences also appreciate the upstairs szalon, a room used for concerts, book launches and plays.

In the place of the bookstore, there was once, at the beginning of the 20th century, the famous literary café Japán. Renovated, the place has retained its original character: it still pays homage to fine literature, and the ceiling still displays hints of orientalism. The works of many Hungarian authors, translated into French (Márai, Kertész...), occupy some shelves. Beautiful art books also, mostly in English. Some books in French. Tables and Wifi to put your thoughts in writing! Friendly booksellers.

In this small independent women's boutique, you'll fall for unique pieces at very reasonable prices, chosen by the owner Julie (Franco-Hungarian based in Budapest for almost twenty years). Young models (tops, little dresses, but also a good selection of accessories), very popular with the trendy Hungarian youth. For men, in the showroom of Salétrom utca 2c (ring at 4), open regularly (follow the Facebook page): pants, t-shirts and shirts but also knitted sweaters in winter and beautiful rugs.

The most famous brand of its kind that dresses the young urban generation of Budapest. Retrock moved in 2012 to expand with vintage and design clothes, becoming the largest store in town dedicated to quality "fripe", patiently selected. Now installed in an adorable showroom where it is good to browse some accessories but especially clothes for men, women (we love these big wool coats or these Brazilian shirts!) or shoes (great these boots!).

It is the city's best bookshop to obtain books on the political-economic situation and the history of Hungary (and Central Europe in general) in English. There are also books of art in Budapest and travel guides.

Ladies and gentleman, this charming boutique is dedicated to you! Marta welcomes you with his smile "out of standard". Unique or classic creations at affordable prices due to quality.

The gallery, opened in the mid s and endorsed by the trendy bourgeoisie in Budapest, brought contemporary Hungarian art into the era of modernity.

A nice handicraft store as there are less and less in Budapest, especially in the vicinity of the ultra-touristic Váci utca. Here, there is no Chinese junk: everything is handmade in Hungary, based on carefully preserved ancestral and folkloric know-how. There is a wide selection of porcelain, painted pottery, dolls in traditional Hungarian costumes, textiles and decorative items (cushion covers, tablecloths...) and much more. All pieces are unique. A must for your souvenir shopping.

A small group of young designers, very open to cooperation, designs tee-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and other textile bags. They print their silk-screen prints: funny and creative messages, in Hungarian and English, contemporary urban logos associated with a plural and fresh graphic design. Good gift ideas and a warm welcome in this micro-shop on the market place of Rákóczi tér. For those who might be wondering, Verkstaden comes from Swedish and not from Hungarian!

Store of a ceramist from Keszthely (a town near Lake Balaton), who makes bowls and candleholders, and other elegant colored plates (decorative or utilitarian). In accessories, various jewels, and a whole range of ceramics of different styles, from various creators (cat motives, folk motives...) : pretty magnets, terrines, kitchen utensils - mugs, butter dishes, jugs -, clocks, small sayings in English on ceramic plates..