IN TOWN Prague 镇堂子火锅 — Restaurant in Prague

In Town is one of the most authentic Chinese restaurants Prague has to offer. Open-minded food aficionados new to Chinese cooking will discover this spot is one place worth experiencing. Ideal for small groups of friends, the atmosphere at this venue is totally unique. From its appropriately designed dining area to the bold ingredients on display with condensation fog running off plates of beef and lamb rolls is eye-catching. The place aims to impress from the moment you enter. What I also value is the open kitchen exposing chefs busying themselves to prepare cuts of meat and veg on stylishly presented plates and bamboo boards. During the evening a Sichuan Opera-face changer sashays around in provincial costume transitioning between a medley of masks in a blink of an eye.

Regarding the food, to those unfamiliar with the concept of Chinese hotpot, newbies to this are in for a treat. The four cooking bases on offer give diners a real taste of this ingenious, communal eating custom. Look out for the model lion in the spicy option! Cooking pots are positioned inside every table and heat is regulated by a remote control. Choosing from a range of dishes, priced from about 120 Czech crowns, it's easy to get carried away. For the conservative gourmand one can degust on fine beef strips, needle mushrooms and tasty greens. Yet the ambitious can dive into rooster testicles, beef stomach or pigs trotter; the latter eaten cold and not a component for the hotpot.

Then it's just of a case of popping in your chosen food choices and waiting until they're done. A separate counter focuses on mixing sauces, herbs and spices – the perfect accompaniment for dipping after the food has simmered.

Service is fast, friendly...

First of all, I’m thrilled this place opened in Prague. We needed more hot pot with a dining vibe (as opposed to malatang which is more casual). I will definitely be back. The only reason i didn’t give 5 stars across the board is because there’s still room for improvement.

The ingredient options were great. I’m impressed they had many meats that would scare most Europeans 😆. The spicy broth was ACTUALLY spicy, not Czech spicy. And the options for the dipping sauce were solid.

It was a little sad how few hand pulled noodles you get for the price, but i get it’s also about the presentation (they’re hanging).

There are a few things I think they should add: hot tea Chinese black vinegar instead of balsamic liquor to do shots (but maybe this requires a different alcohol license). Metal tongs in addition to the slotted and unslotted ladle.

The last thing i found strange was that they added hot water to the pots as they started to evaporate, rather than a light broth. But i guess that’s so they can pour the same into everyone’s pot.

The service was great. Everyone was super friendly and helpful and they let us stay late as the restaurant was closing.

IN TOWN is a near replica of Hai Di Lao, however HDL has perfected it. IN TOWN is close and I’ll definitely be back, regardless of whether they make any...

The best Chinese hot pot experience in Prague! They have really paid a lot of attention to detail, from the decor to the furniture, to the presentation (this lion shaped spicy Chongqing hot pot base and many more). There are also private rooms for bigger groups for more intimate setting, this is really like the hot pot places you can find in China.

They serve only hot pot, so all the ingredients are fresh (there are quite a few sold out items on Thursday evening so I would say the earlier in the week you go, the more you have a chance to get the full menu). The range of items is what you would find in a typical hot pot place, with lots of fish and meat delicacies, some more Chinese standards than other with the chicken feet, the organs etc... Overall it's slightly more pricey than Basu or Nali (but really slightly), but the environment and very attentive and friendly service makes up for it.

The cherry on the cake was the live entertainment with the face changing Sichuan opera that happens at 20h.

I highly recommend and will...