Budapest now has a sweet weekly ritual for everyone who loves kürtőskalács but lives gluten- or dairy-free. Every Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m., Édes Mackó, Hungary’s first chimney cake patisserie, bakes fresh kürtőskalács using gluten-free and dairy-free ingredients — no pre-order required. You can just show up and grab one warm off the spit.
On other weekdays, the bakery will still make gluten- and dairy-free batches by request, but only with a minimum order of four pieces and at least one day’s notice. Got a special request beyond that? They’ll try to make it happen. Édes Mackó is set up for these tailored bakes and encourages customers to reach out with unique needs.
The shop sits at 14–16 Állatkerti körút in Budapest’s 14th District, Zugló, right by the city’s iconic green heart. You’ll find it in the Holnemvolt Vár Riding Hall (Lovarda) building, a spot that blends storybook charm with easy access. There are seven photos to browse if you’re planning your visit and want a feel for the place before you go.
What’s on and when
Mark the dates: the dedicated gluten- and dairy-free baking slots run on Wednesday, 2026.05.06, and Friday, 2026.05.08, in Budapest, with more dates loading as the patisserie updates its calendar. The 10 a.m. start time is perfect if you want your kürtőskalács as a late breakfast treat or after a stroll in the nearby parklands. And since no pre-order is needed on those two days, it’s a low-stress way to try the specialty fresh.
Why Édes Mackó matters
Édes Mackó isn’t just another cake shop — it’s the pioneer of chimney cake patisserie in Hungary. The team takes the traditional kürtőskalács, baked over embers, and turns it into heavenly desserts without losing the signature caramelized crust and soft, spiraled crumb. Beyond the classic sugar-and-cinnamon shell, they serve up creative chimney cake desserts you can enjoy on both enclosed and open terraces. This is the place where tradition meets playful reinvention — and where people with dietary restrictions aren’t left out.
Where to stay nearby
Zugló isn’t just about sweets; it’s also packed with places to sleep, train, and unwind if you’re in town for a couple of days. Ajtósi Dürer College spans nine floors and welcomes students from every faculty of Eötvös Loránd University (Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem) — a student hub within reach of the action.
If you’re traveling for sports, events, or concerts, several hotels sit right by Puskás Ferenc Stadium (Puskás Ferenc Stadion) and Papp László Budapest Sportaréna. Hotel Arena offers freshly renovated, Mediterranean-style, air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms and a fitness center loaded with modern machines. After a session, plunge into the Fit Zone pool and finish with a sauna wind-down.
Green Hotel Budapest, near Puskás Ferenc Stadion, brings a nature-inspired vibe to its spacious, modern rooms. It’s a smart pick for business and family events, as well as small conferences, thanks to its private function room. With the M2 metro just 100 meters away, the city center is a swift hop — ideal for squeezing more into your day.
Prefer a calmer base? Hotel Amadeus sits in the leafy, suburban side of Zugló, a few kilometers from downtown and Hungexpo. It’s got 39 spacious, comfortable rooms, a panoramic restaurant, garden seating, conference rooms, and a cozy pub. There’s a secure underground garage for guests, too.
For a homey setup close to City Park (Városliget) and 1.9 miles from downtown, another family-run hotel offers quiet rooms with TVs, free Wi‑Fi, and private bathrooms, plus a drink bar for coffee, tea, and soft drinks. The wellness angle is strong here: a Finnish sauna and an eight-person massage pool invite you to decompress. A 40-seat restaurant serves Hungarian, Italian, and Chinese specialties by request with advance notice.
Hotel Veritas puts you near Papp László Budapest Sportaréna, the SYMA exhibition center, and the Expo grounds — a practical choice if you’re juggling events.
Hotel Zugló, in one of Pest’s most elegant, oldest districts, keeps you near major sights and offers air-conditioned rooms with LCD TVs, fridges or minibars, phones, and internet access. After a packed day or a marathon city tour, its wellness area — with Finnish and infrared saunas, a swimming pool, and a jacuzzi — is ready to revive you.
Lion’s Garden Hotel sits on the edge of Budapest’s buzzing center, in the diplomatic quarter. Warm colors, comfy interiors, and timeless design make this four-star a crowd-pleaser. The restaurant and shaded summer garden add to the appeal. It’s on Cházár András Street (Cházár András utca) in the 14th District, opposite a 100-year-old Dominican church you can admire from the panoramic elevator.
Looking for something cozier? A guesthouse in Zugló’s green zone is easy to reach from downtown and the M3 motorway. Rooms come with bathrooms, radio, cable TV, and ceiling fans, plus free Wi‑Fi and parking — simple comforts for work or rest.
Szőnyi Hotel, also in Zugló, blends city proximity with leafy calm. With 42 rooms for up to 90 guests, it promises standout service at friendly prices. The 50-seat restaurant covers hearty fare, diet-friendly options, vegetarian plates, and kids’ menus — a practical all-rounder whether you’re here for a weekend or a week.
How to find Édes Mackó
Head to 1146 Budapest, 14th District — Zugló, 14–16 Állatkerti körút. The patisserie sits inside the Holnemvolt Vár Riding Hall (Lovarda) building. Show up on Wednesday or Friday from 10 a.m. for gluten- and dairy-free chimney cakes without pre-order. For weekday custom bakes, place a minimum order of four at least a day in advance — and don’t hesitate to ask about special requests.
Gluten-free or not, a warm kürtőskalács on a Budapest morning is a tiny celebration. Now everyone can join in.
