Market Hall (Grand Market Hall - Nagyvasarcsarnok), Budapest

The Central Market is a must see for anyone who enjoys the sights, sounds and smells of markets. There are almost 200 stalls on 3 levels with cafes and restaurants on the top floor. There are stalls with fruit and vegetables, meats and sausages and plenty of souvenirs. In the basement is a supermarket for everyday provisions. The 19th century architecture is worth the visit even if you are not a shopper.

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We had a walk through in the afternoon and found fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, fish, anything you want, it's there! Best seen prices on paprika, wine and other handicrafts---even Tshirts were a little cheaper here. Really a cool people watching place, just keep your valuables close in there---a bathroom at one end for 50 cents.......

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If I am not totally wrong then Budapest has five historic Market halls. This one is the largest, 150 m long, which was opened in 1897 and thoroughly restored in the 1990s. The ground floor has many stalls where vegetables, meat, bread and such are sold. I was surprised to see only few small local producers and more bigger, even international companies (see picture #3, a company from Poland). I liked the little vendor in the back where freshly squeezed juice was sold. Delicious (but expensive).

In the basement are a modern, large grocery and stalls selling fish and pickled vegetables. Yummy. Upstairs is a Hungarian craft products market.

The architecture is beautiful, reminds a bit of a basilica with a main nave and lower side naves. It's a combination of brickstones, (cast-)iron and glass.

Opening hours:
Monday 6.00 am - 5.00 pm
Tuesday-Friday 6.00 am - 6.00 pm
Saturday 8.00 am - 3.00 pm

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The Central Market is a must see for anyone who enjoys the sights, sounds and smells of markets. There are almost 200 stalls on 3 levels with cafes and restaurants on the top floor. There are stalls with fruit and vegetables, meats and sausages and plenty of souvenirs. In the basement is a supermarket for everyday provisions. The 19th century architecture is worth the visit even if you are not a shopper.

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The Central Market Hall or Nagkcsarnok is perhaps my favourite place to eat in all of Budapest. I know, that sounds like a bit of a cheesy statement, given that you have to eat from plastic containers while standing up. But there’s something about eating the fat-laden, greasy food in an environment where everyone is hawking and bustling about that makes you feel like you’re really in the thick of things in Budapest. Moreover, this isn’t some small provincial farmers’ market but a massive indoor affair with some pretty well known pastry and deli places. It was designed in 1896 and still bears that same feeling of being much more historical and significant than the sausage and paprika sellers would lead you to believe. If you’ve had enough of the scam artists and crushing tourist throngs Vaci utca and want to feel like you weren’t ripped off in a transaction, come here and enjoy a steaming bowl of gulyasleves to fortify yourself for the bargaining for souvenirs.

The biggest and most beautiful market hall that was built at the end of the 19th century is the Central Market Hall located close to Kálvin square, which is easily accessible wit the tram number 47 and 49. You can choose between a wide range of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and Hungarian specialties under one roof, which was designed by the famous Zsolnay porcelain Company. Go and shop like the locals

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Built beginning in 1894, the intent was to bring shoppers from the expanded city to one place to buy all that is needed. It burned 1/2 of the roof before it opened. The re-opening was in 1987. The building was refurbished in 1991. The roof tiles are ornate and called Zsolnay? It is one very large three story facility housing all kinds of goods. I estimate is is 2 blocks long and one block wide. It has meats, cheeses, pastries, vegetables of all kinds, lace, glass, sculpted items, and keep on going. The basement has variety of pickle, game, fish and a supermarket. t is great to take a slow walk to see all it holds, and watch the locals know just where to go to buy the evening meal.

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The building dates back from 1886. On the second floor are stalls selling ethnic Hungarian woodcarving, embroidery (clothes, tablecloths and foods stalls selling hungarian spesialties)
On the first floor meat and poultry products, vegetables and fruits. Toilets can be found here. EUR 0.50. On the basement is a fish market.