Every Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m., Édes Mackó chimney cake patisserie turns out fresh gluten-free and dairy-free chimney cakes in Budapest, with no pre-order required on those days. The cozy spot sits at 1146 Budapest, District 14 – Zugló, 14–16 Állatkerti körút (Zoo Boulevard), inside the Holnemvolt Vár (Once Upon a Time Castle) Lovarda building, and it’s Hungary’s first dedicated chimney cake confectionery, famous for reinventing the classic, charcoal-baked kürtőskalács (chimney cake) into dreamy desserts. The team also serves their chimney cakes and chimney cake–based creations on both covered and open terraces—perfect for lingering or a quick sweet grab in the City Park neighborhood.
If you can’t make it on a Wednesday or Friday, Édes Mackó still bakes gluten-free and dairy-free versions on other weekdays with a minimum order of four pieces, and they ask for the order at least one day in advance. Got special dietary requests beyond gluten- and dairy-free? Ask. They do their best to accommodate additional individual needs, which makes them a rare comfort for people navigating multiple dietary restrictions. Seven photos showcase their golden, spiraled bakes and sunny terrace vibes, so you can preview the sugary swirl before you go.
When To Go
On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, Budapest gets first dibs; then Friday, May 8, 2026, the ovens fire again. The bakery opens the gluten-free and dairy-free line from 10 a.m. on those days—no pre-order hassle, just show up and enjoy. For all other weekdays, plan ahead with that four-piece minimum and a one-day lead time. Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs, so keep an eye out if you’re timing a visit around a specific bake slot.
Where You’ll Be
Zugló, Budapest’s 14th District, wraps Édes Mackó in greenery and easy city access. The patisserie sits along Állatkerti körút, right by City Park and the zoo, nestled into one of the capital’s most visited cultural and leisure corridors. It’s an easy pairing: a stroll through the park, a peek at the Holnemvolt Vár complex, and a hot, cinnamon-dusted chimney cake that just happens to be gluten- and dairy-free.
Make It A Mini Getaway
If you’re traveling in or turning a pastry run into a leisurely Budapest afternoon, the neighborhood around City Park and Puskás Ferenc Stadion (Ferenc Puskás Stadium) is dense with hotels and guesthouses. A few options nearby:
– Hotel Arena sits next to Puskás Ferenc Stadion (Ferenc Puskás Stadium) and the Papp László Sportaréna (László Papp Budapest Sports Arena), with renovated, Mediterranean-style, air-conditioned rooms. Guests can hit the fitness room’s modern machines, swim laps in the Fit Zone pool, and unwind in the sauna—ideal if you’re pairing sports events, conferences, or exhibitions with your pastry plans.
– Green Hotel Budapest, near Puskás Ferenc Stadion (Ferenc Puskás Stadium) and 100 meters from the M2 metro, offers spacious, modern rooms styled after peaceful natural themes, plus a private room suited to business or family events and small conferences. The central location puts the city’s programs within easy reach for business travelers, families, and groups.
– Hotel Amadeus, tucked into Zugló’s garden suburb, is a quiet pick only a few kilometers from downtown and Hungexpo. Expect 39 roomy, comfortable accommodations, a panoramic restaurant, garden seating, conference rooms, a friendly pub, and secure underground parking.
– A family-run hotel near the inbound section of the M3 motorway is just 3 km from downtown and close to the City Park attractions. Rooms come with TVs, free Wi‑Fi, and private bathrooms. There’s a drink bar with soft drinks, coffee, and tea, a Finnish sauna, and an eight-person hot tub. The 40-seat restaurant serves Hungarian, Italian, and Chinese specialties on request with advance notice.
– Hotel Veritas places you within easy reach of the Papp László Sportaréna (László Papp Budapest Sports Arena), the SYMA exhibition center, and the Expo grounds—handy if you’re squeezing a pastry detour between events.
– Hotel Zugló, set in one of Pest’s oldest, most elegant districts, outfits air‑conditioned rooms with LCD TVs, fridges or minibars, phones, and internet access. The wellness area features Finnish and infrared saunas, a swimming pool, and a whirlpool for post-sightseeing recovery.
– Lion’s Garden Hotel lines the edge of the diplomatic quarter on Cházár András Street, opposite a century-old Dominican church you can admire from the panoramic elevator. Warm tones, timeless interiors, a restaurant, and a shaded summer garden make this 4‑star stay a polished base close to many city sights.
– A green-belt guesthouse in Zugló is easy to reach from downtown and the M3. Rooms include private bathrooms, radios, cable TV, and ceiling fans; free Wi‑Fi and parking are included for a no-fuss stay.
– Szőnyi Hotel*** blends the calm of a green zone with proximity to central Budapest. With 42 rooms for up to 90 guests, it aims to deliver top-tier service at friendly prices. The 50-seat restaurant serves hearty portions, diet plates for calorie-counters, vegetarian choices, and kids’ menus.
Why Chimney Cake, Why Now
Kürtőskalács (chimney cake) is a Transylvanian-born Hungarian classic: sweet yeast dough spiraled onto a spit, baked over live coals until it’s glossy and caramelized, then rolled in sugar or toppings. At Édes Mackó, that heritage meets innovation. The gluten-free and dairy-free versions open the door for more people to join in, without trade-offs on texture or that crackly-sweet finish. Whether you’re gluten-sensitive, dairy-free, or just curious, Wednesday and Friday are your golden window—hot from the oven, sugar dust in the air, and City Park just steps away.
