It was late morning when I arrived at Móricz Zsigmond Square. The terrace of De’ Finci was exactly what I imagined an Italian-American street food spot to be like: simple yet charming, with the mouthwatering aroma of freshly baked pizza wafting through the air from a distance.
The Italian-American owner was sitting outside with a cup of coffee, and as soon as we introduced ourselves, he began telling me the story of the place. “I dreamed of creating a New York-style Italian eatery, and that’s the flavour we’re bringing to Budapest,” he said. He also talked about the name: De’ Finci sounds distinctly Italian, but it’s also a playful twist on the Hungarian word fincsi (meaning “tasty”).
During our conversation, I learned that their specialty is Roman-style pizza – baked in trays, crispy, sliced, and topped with a variety of ingredients. As I glanced around, I saw a freshly baked salami pizza and a mozzarella-tomato version resting on the counter. “These go fast,” the owner noted with a smile.
On the other side of the counter, there was a tray of pistachio cannoli lined up neatly, alongside arancini – those crispy, stuffed rice balls that are a popular street food in Italy. “Our lasagna is also a hit – we make it from a truly homemade recipe,” he added.
Beyond the sweets and savoury dishes, coffee plays a key role in the concept as well. They follow the Italian-American style, serving larger-than-usual portions so everyone can find the strength that suits their taste.
When I explained the Queen Code and the concept of the English newsletter to him, he immediately asked, “Does that mean members get a discount here?” Then he smiled. “That sounds great. I’m in.”
And just like that, De’ Finci became a Queen Code partner.
What truly sets a great place apart isn’t just marketing or design – it’s when the owner has a personal connection to what they’re doing. When a place has a story, you can taste it in the food. Like the authentic flavour of New York-style Italian street food – right here at Móricz Zsigmond Square.
De’ Finci
Budapest, Móricz Zsigmond körtér 8.
