This is a truly brilliant bakery. No words can do justice to Free, but here’s trying…
Budapest has a surprising number of gluten-free options, but only this place surprises with the deliciousness of its food. If you have to avoid gluten or are sensitive to it, Free is the difference between having a great time in Budapest or a good one. The last time I went to Dob Utca was almost a month ago, and I’m still missing it, as I don’t think there is anywhere in Europe that compares.
Several qualities distinguish the bakery, first and foremost the yumminess of the food, from sweet treats like delicious plum cakes, carrot cakes and chocolate cherry cakes to a constantly-changing range of savoury options.
That’s another thing that marks it out – the level of innovation and variety on offer. On the savoury front, you get to try everything from curry pie and ratatouille bakes to Hungarian favourites like forest fruit soups.
Pizza is made every single day, and it is superb. Staff try to cater for everyone, with meat, veggie and vegan options. Whereas most gluten-free pizza bases in US and European restaurants and supermarkets are stuffed full of bad oils like rapeseed oil – which actually disagree with many coeliacs – Free uses white rice flour and olive oil, pure and simple.
Using those kinds of ingredients and avoiding other often troublesome grains really shows great understanding and thought. The very warm people who work here embody that spirit, and the second time I came to the bakery I was surprised that one member of staff remembered all my other food intolerances I had previously mentioned. That really is above and beyond the call of duty. Likewise, I was very impressed that staff kept baking away in often stultifying summer heat.
It’s an incredibly special place and I came here virtually every day while living in Budapest. I can’t remember eating so well for so little, gluten-free or otherwise. Hopefully the owner is on the megalomaniac side, because every country should have its own Free bakery.
Köszönöm szépen, Free!
Udvarias, figyelmes, és mosolygós személyzet. A termékek ízvilága mennyei, olyannyira, hogy az ízben nincs különbség a nem mentes termékektől. Tény itt csak mentes termékek vannak. Egy kostolóra be KELL ülni. Indulás :-)
I cannot believe that gluten free bread can be so yummy. Schar et al take notice please and give those of us with gluten intolerance something that comes close to this bakery. I love it and really wish someone in England would pick this idea up - soon.
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