Macchiato Caffe & Lounge

Macchiato Caffe & Lounge is in central Hévíz, at Széchenyi utca 7, a few steps from the pedestrian street. It’s open every day of the year from 8 am until late evening, so it works for morning coffee, afternoon cake and evening wine. It’s one of the best-known cafés in Hévíz, with more than two thousand Google reviews.

Italian coffee culture in Hévíz

According to its own description, the café was completely renovated in spring 2018, with new food and drinks menus. They have used illy coffee from the start, from traditional espresso to coffee cocktails. Coffees are also available decaffeinated, with lactose-free milk and to take away.

The counter: Segreto cakes

The cake counter holds Segreto cakes made to Italian recipes: tiramisu, profiteroles, millefoglie, fragola, costata. Free-from sweets are available too, and guests mention lactose-, gluten- and sugar-free choices. The slices are big; many people share one between two. Cakes are made to order as well.

Ham and sandwiches

Macchiato offers platters of Parma and San Daniele ham and Italian cheeses, which they will also put together to take away. There are daily fresh toasted sandwiches and house-baked pastries, with sandwiches made from homemade ham, mozzarella and rocket.

Evening: wine and cocktails

White, red and rosé wines by the bottle, and also by the 125 ml glass. More than fifty spirits, whiskies, gins and pálinkas, and among the cocktails the favourites are Aperol Spritz, mojito and negroni. There’s a wide choice of Althaus teas too.

Space and atmosphere

An elegant, modern interior and a Mediterranean-feeling terrace. According to the town’s tourism site there’s room for about forty inside and thirty on the terrace, so it can get cramped at peak times. Guests say dogs are welcome too.

More than a café

By its own account, Macchiato has become one of Hévíz’s symbolic places, and its footfall bears that out. In the morning there are business meetings over the free wifi, in the afternoon families come for cake, in the evening groups of friends share wine and cocktails. Cakes are made to order, and Macchiato Catering does standing receptions in Hévíz and nearby villages. The Sweet Point chimney-cake and ice-cream stand at the Nagyparkoló car park runs under Macchiato’s contact details too: in summer with ice cream served in a lemon, in winter with roast chestnuts.

What guests say

4.6/5 on Google from more than two thousand reviews, 4.4/5 on Tripadvisor from over four hundred. Guests praise the coffee, the big slices of cake, the friendly service and the free-from choice. A recurring complaint is that prices are above average and the place is cramped at peak times.

Who it’s for

Anyone who wants a real Italian coffee and a big slice of cake in the middle of Hévíz after the baths, all year round. A good choice for people with dietary restrictions, and for a glass of wine or a cocktail in the evening.

How much does it cost?

Mid-range; guests find it slightly pricier, but in line with the quality.