Our story · #webelieveinhandmade
Cafecito
A family who went chasing good cafecitos around the world — and fell head over heels for brunch.
cafecito
[kaː-fe-ˈsi-to] · noun
a moment to recharge, enjoy & connect throughout the day.
“we know no-one reads this, but we put it anyway, because it’s true”
Why we do this
We live to enjoy cafecitos
Our mission is to make a space for everyone who loves that moment of connection, joy and simple pleasures.
For us it comes from childhood trips with the family. Anywhere we’d go, there’d always be multiple stops for cafecitos — a happy moment for everyone. Today, with our own family, we keep the tradition going, and our son enjoys it the most.
Whenever we have to solve a problem, come up with something creative, or reconnect with a friend, we go for a cafecito. We sit down, disconnect from the tiny things, and open our minds to the flow — free from limits or judgement. Fuelled by coffee, our favourite dishes and sweets, the ideas come up fast.
Travelling the world looking for cafecitos, we discovered brunch. More than a decade ago it was a weekend — or even just a Sunday — thing from New York and London. We loved it so much we got hooked. It’s a quintessence of joy: delicious, relaxed and comforting. It made our cafecitos journey complete.
That’s why we build these places — filled with the cosy light of sweet, happy moments. A home out of home, for you to recharge, connect and enjoy.
From Barcelona, with a heavy heart
How Cookie Beacon began
In 2003 we created Alsur Café in Barcelona — our little coffee-and-cookies business that grew into the first brunch place in the city. We learned the craft and the culture there. Then, in 2020, we decided to go wild: to leave it behind and move to Budapest with a completely new project in mind.
- 2003
Barcelona
We started Alsur Café, a little coffee-and-cookies business that grew into the city's first brunch place — and its reference. Over time it became 10 locations.
- Feb 2021
Budapest
Family and all, we moved to Budapest on 2 February — a country where we knew no one and didn't speak the language.
- Dec 2021
Lipótváros
We opened the first Cookie Beacon · Brunch, and Budapest fell for the concept faster than we ever dared hope.
We didn’t know anyone and didn’t speak the language — but we believed Budapest would love our new concept.
What’s in the name
Cookie · Beacon · Brunch
Cookie
One of the smallest sweets — comforting and effortless. It was made as a sample of a bigger cake, an easy way to try new flavours. Shared, or enjoyed on your own. A crowd-pleaser, and good company for a quiet moment.
Beacon
A welcoming light for a traveller. It brings ships and people together. It gives comfort and security.
Brunch
The epitome of the comfort food we love and chase around the world.
Cookie Beacon. A place to enjoy cafecitos, chunky cookies and hearty brunch.
The people behind it
Our team
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Andreas Kanakis
CEO
-
Tanya Volkhina
Marketing & Recipes
-
Juan Daniel Gonçalves
Strategy & Finance
Where to find us
Our 5 brunch spots in Budapest, Bucharest & Belgrade
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Budapest · Basilica
Hercegprímás u. 15
1051 Budapest, Hungary
Visit this brunch spot -
Budapest · Ferenciek Tere
Ferenciek tere 1
1052 Budapest, Hungary
Visit this brunch spot -
Bucharest · Amzei
Strada General Christian Tell 1-3
010381 Bucharest, Romania
Visit this brunch spot -
Bucharest · Floreasca
Calea Floreasca 91-111
014455 Bucharest, Romania
Visit this brunch spot -
Belgrade · Kralja Petra
Kralja Petra 20a
11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Visit this brunch spot
Hungry yet?
Pop in for brunch and a chunky cookie at your nearest brunch spot — three cities and counting.