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Szeged Restaurant (formerly Gebauer Café)

The story of the building at 1 Bartók Béla Street dates back to the early 1900s.

At the end of the 18th century, when only Muddy Bath, the predecessor of Gellért Spa stood in St Gellért Square, there was a restaurant in the middle of the square. It was called Sinel Restaurant named after its owner Rezső Sinel.

Muddy Bath and Sinel Restaurant together with other buildings along the river were pulled down when construction of Liberty Bridge (Ferenc József Bridge at the time) began in 1894 as well as the riverbank and the square was remodeled.

It was perfume manufacturer and trader Lajos Ignác Müller in 1903 who ordered plans for the 3-storey building. According to photos taken around 1910 it had already been in St Gellért Square together with the CH Building of Technical University and Eravisci House, but without Hotel Gellért.

The first Gebauer Café was opened by József Gebauer in Sas Street in the second half of the 19th century. Three of his children and four of his grandchildren followed him in catering business. One of his grandchildren, József Gebauer sold his shop in Pest in 1909 and moved to Buda opening a café in Gellért Square. First it was called Gebauer Café and later Gellért Café. His son, Béla Gebauer made it a two-storey café in 1922 with a separate flat upstairs for himself.

He opened a restaurant in the cellar where dance and gypsy music was played illegally. It soon became a rival for the nearby Hadik Café. Gebauer Café closed down in 1949.

Today there is renowned restaurant in the building called Szeged Restaurant offering local and international meals as well as fish meals as their specialty. Gypsy music and folklore programs also contribute to its reputation.

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