Kavárna Obecní dům — Restaurant in Prague

Like other European cities, Prague boasts esteemed cafes, which have evolved into a hub of cultural and social life over the past century. Kavárna Obecní dům (The Municipal House Café) is undoubtedly one of them. It is one of the most significant monuments of Czech Art Nouveau. This majestic municipal building was inaugurated on November 22, 1912. Although its history is relatively brief, it is linked to several pivotal state-making events in 1918. The Municipal House is an Art Nouveau gem in the heart of Prague, where Neo-Baroque, Neo-Renaissance, Western, and Oriental influences converge with Czech Art Nouveau.

Kavárna Obecní dům (The Municipal House Café) is situated in the direction of the Powder Tower, featuring original tiles, dividing walls, and boxes of mahogany and leather-covered benches. A light fountain on the front wall of the Café is adorned with a Carrara marble nymph relief by sculptor Pekárek.The table equipment is also original, now complemented by copies. Chairs and armchairs are a loose, not entirely faithful replica of the originals, preserved in a few isolated specimens.

Upon entering the cafe, we were instantly drawn in by the elegantly beautiful art deco and delicately glamorous design, providing a visually pleasing experience. Immersion in such an impressive historic interior momentarily transports one away from 21st century Prague.

Our lunch was remarkably inspiring and sumptuous. The enormous pork knuckle was presented in a way that was both visually stunning and awe-inspiring. We had no prior knowledge of what was being served for lunch. The size of the pork knuckle was impressively larger than my face, and I was so astonished that I didn't know how to tackle this massive dish. However, once the thick skin was removed, the tender and juicy meat was revealed in all its glory. The dessert was a sumptuously rich and decadent chocolate cake that melted in your mouth.

Note:

Kavárna Obecní dům is open daily from 08:00 to 23:00. And it is a non smoking venue.

Although the pinnacle of artistic avant-garde and the halcyon days of Prague's elite have passed, the essence of the 1920s still pervades. Kavárna Obecní dům presents an opportunity to unwind in an exquisite Art Nouveau setting, savoring a cup of exceptional coffee accompanied by renowned local desserts. If time allows, indulge in the cafe's traditional afternoon tea, featuring an array of delicacies. The menu comprises chicken tortilla, cucumber sandwiches, smoked salmon sandwiches, traditional scones with creme fraiche and strawberry jam, caramel pralines, a cupcake with almond cream, whipped cream and fruit, Linz sticks with currant jam, and two select...

One of the most beautiful cafe but the worst cafe in Prague as well.

I've visited this place a few times during my 7 years stay in Prague but today! I've decided not to go there ever again. No recommendations for sure.

They didn't served us kindly(of course without smiles) Coffees, teas are nothing special. It's ok but their service was aweful when we're paying.

First of all, they had a serious problem with separated payment. The waitor told us that he can make only one printed bill and we should have to pay together. We were even strongly pushed to leave tips for him. We didn't want to give any tips because none of us was satisfied with their service. The waitor was pushing us a few more times to leave him tips.

When we left the table without leaving tips, he was so angry and he suddenly asked us to return 2 of their menu books. He said that there are 2 books on every single table and there are 2 missing. We used 2 tables and I can swear that there was no menu on one of them. We explained that there was nothing and he told us that we're lying and he's gonna call a police.

We said that it doesn't matter for us if he calls a police or not. Who would like to steal a menu? We asked him if he founds out there's no menu in our bags if he's gonna apologize us for this rudeness. After this long argument, he suddenly told us to go very unkindly.

How can this happen at the cafe of the famous Prague municipal house? They should be ashameful!!!

I clearly know that nobody can push customers to leave tips and no fixed rate of tips for sure!

Most of restaurants in Prague center ask tips only to foreigners not to local Czechs. For sure, Czechs that i know mostly don't leave tips because they know that they don't need to and it's not the orginal Czech culture.

Please don't try to be a thief and behave with...

TLDR; As a local, if you need to/want to go to a tourist trap there are other places which are cheaper and much better service.

The Aperol Spritz was decent, but for 155 Czk per it should have had more than just 4 icecubes. The tartar was okay, and the beer was of course nothing to complain about. The waiter was a little slow, but it's understandable as there were many people and it was lunch time. However, as we were paying, the receipt came to 775 Czk. In Czech Republic tipping is not always necessary unless it is truly outstanding service, and the normal thing to do is to round up. I rounded up to 800 after the waiter pointed out on the receipt that tip is not included. He states it once again, and asks me if I want to give 10, 15 or 20%. I state 800 is fine, and the waiter starts complaining that this is only 3 percent. I inform him that tipping is not normal in Czech Republic, but rounding up should be fine. I guess he did not want the 3% tip, as he entered 775 into the terminal, but that was fine for me. He then stood staring at us as we were packing up to leave and gathering our stuff, and as we walked away he said something in Czech. My Czech is not the best, though I did hear him say something from the base word of špína- or something similar. The base word means dirty, so I find that entirely unprofessional.

My mother has always loved this place, and even though it is expensive, it has a great location. After this she will not return either, as there are other places which has actual professional waiters, cheaper menus and...