Discover the Charm of Famous First-Republic Cafés

The cafés of the First Republic were places where famous people such as journalists, writers, actors, artists, architects and businesspeople used to meet. You could see them engaged in conversations, or simply reading a newspaper or a magazine, either Czech, European or from overseas. The European cultural history was also written in Czech cafés. Many of the historical cafés are still open today. They are charming places that connect history, Czech culture and unique architecture.

Café Slavia

The famous Prague Café Slavia, across from the National Theatre, on the corner of Národní třída and Smetanovo nábřeží, is the symbol of the café culture. It was opened in 1884 and is today furnished in the art deco style. It is a popular place with intellectuals, poets, actors and various artists. The former Czech President, Václav Havel, used to go there. The large windows let you enjoy the view of the National Theatre, the Vltava River and Prague Castle, and Charles Bridge, directly from your table. There is both a restaurant and pub there. It is open daily, year-round, from 8 a.m., and a professional pianist performs there every evening.

Café Savoy

From Slavia, walk across the Vltava along the Legion Bridge to Vítězná třída, and you will arrive at another famous Prague café. Café Savoy follows the atmosphere of the First Republic café culture, and the unusual interior is highlighted by the protected neo-Renaissance ceiling from the end of the 19th century. The café is famous for its opulent breakfast and gourmet dishes, and you can try, for example, Czech snails, calf’s sweetbread or patisseries from the café’s own bakery. The only downside is the enormous interest, but you can book a table in advance on the Internet. Waiting for a free table can be made more pleasant by taking a stroll through Kampa, one of the most romantic places in Prague – it is only a few steps away from the café.

Café Louvre

The café with the same name as the famous Parisian gallery has been open since 1902. Café Louvre is on Národní třída, only a few steps from the National Theatre. Famous writers, artists and personalities, such as Franz Kafka and Albert Einstein, were patrons there. Today, the café still has an art nouveau atmosphere and a snooker room can also be found there. The café is open all day with a hot meal service.

Café in the Municipal House

A visit to the Municipal House in Prague allows you to experience the unique atmosphere of the golden era of art nouveau. Experience the nobility of the last years of the Habsburg Monarchy and the first years of the First Republic in the local café with a gallery, large windows and an illuminated fountain with a marble relief of a nymph. The café on the ground floor of the south wing with a shiny art nouveau interior is a great counterpart to the French Restaurant Art Nouveau, located in the right wing. The restaurant opened on New Year’s Eve of 1911 for the first time and it is considered to be the most beautiful art nouveau restaurant in the world.

Café Imperial

Excellent cooking under the management of Zdeněk Pohlreich and an extraordinary space with unique ceramic decorations, that’s Café Imperial on Na Poříčí. The architectural jewel has been inviting visitors with its Grand Café atmosphere since 1914. The menu contains the best of traditional Czech cuisine, served with a modern twist. Coffee and desserts are always important in a café of such style. The café also offers a degustation menu as the cherry on top of the cake.

Grand Café Orient

Art Nouveau or Art Deco cafés can be found all over the world, but there is only one cubist café. It opened in 1912 in the elegant dům U Černé Matky Boží (At the Black Madonna) in Celetná Street in the Old Town of Prague. The house was designed by architect Josef Gočár and, in addition to the café, you can also visit the permanent exposition of the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague, which presents Czech cubism as a style connecting free and applied art and architecture. The Grand Café Orient on the first floor also has a cubist interior; Gočár designed a cubist buffet-bar and the entire furnishings, including chandeliers and lanterns.

Myšák confectionary

The famous confectionary, dating back to the beginning of the last century, is located in the centre of Prague in Vodičkova Street near St. Wenceslas Square. Famous confectioner František Myšák had the originally neo-Renaissance building redesigned by builder Josef Čapek. Myšák’s cakes were ordered by famous political, cultural or sports personalities. Today, the confectionary is managed by the renowned Ambiente chain, which wants to follow the legacy of the First Republic. You can get traditional Czech desserts, cakes and sundaes there, as well as breakfast and select coffees.