Lore Malastrana — Restaurant in Prague

Five star food and atmosphere. One star service.

We started with the tomato basil bruschetta, which was mouthwatering. My wife had the lasagna, which she loved and I had the seafood spaghetti which was maybe the tastiest thing I’ve ever eaten in my life. Seriously! Every single bite was SO delicious and the amount of seafood was massive.

Better still, an appetizer, two entrees, two bottles of water and two glasses of wine somehow came out to only 1,060 CZK ($51.70 today, including tip).

Not sure why, but one of the waiters seemed to dislike us. He was consistently terse, bordering on rude, yet seemed to be polite to everyone else. Maybe we interrupted his frequent cigarette breaks. I don’t know. In spite of this, the fantastic food outweighed any lack of warmth.

REVISED: In my initial review (Sept 2024) I said that I looked forward to eating there again, but now - May ‘25 - we’re back in Prague, ready to eat at Lore again and we thought, “There’s tons of great food in Prague, why go back to where the waiter was (how to put it politely?) a wet blanket”. We walked right past Lore and tried Labaratorio Della Pizza instead. The food there was great and the waitresses were awesome (and didn’t reek of cigarettes). Turns out, Labaratorio Della Pizza was a better choice!

Sorry guys, great service is part of the dining experience and your crap attitude turned us off from returning. FAIL!

Revised 19 May: Thanks for your response. Funny thing is, your volume may be very high now, but when we ate there last September, the restaurant was nearly empty. You’re right, it’s no excuse. You say that the waiter remembers the situation but given at least one other similar recent review, how does he know which customer he turned off from returning? What specifically does he remember about us? Finally, I found this amusing - if you look at Google Maps, there he is, sitting outside smoking, right under where people are eating - at the exact table we were seated at. I appreciate how great your food was, and how great the vast majority of your reviews are, but your response doesn’t come across as very genuine. Sorry. But I’ll tell you what - next time we’re in Prague, we’ll give you a chance to prove these aren’t just...

📍 Tucked away in the charming Malá Strana district, Lore Malastrana turned out to be a real gem during our Prague trip. Every dish was beautifully prepared and packed with flavour — easily one of the best meals we’ve had on this journey.

🥟 Tortelloni with Truffle

As soon as the plate arrived, the aroma of fresh truffle filled the air. The handmade tortelloni were perfectly al dente, with a rich, creamy filling. Generous slices of black truffle made this dish feel extra special. So satisfying — I honestly wanted to order a second round!

“Heavenly truffle aroma, amazing texture, and rich flavours. A must-try if you love truffle!”

🥖 Homemade Bread Basket

Crunchy on the outside, soft and slightly chewy on the inside. The bread had a lovely natural sourdough flavour and paired beautifully with the pasta sauces. Complimentary, yet done with care — no shortcuts here!

“Simple but done right — the kind of bread that makes you reach for more.”

🍆 Grilled Mixed Vegetables

The roasted eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers were cooked just right — tender with a slight char, bringing out their natural sweetness. Lightly seasoned and super refreshing as a side.

“Perfectly grilled veggies with a lovely smokiness. Balanced and vibrant.”

🍝 Fresh Seafood Pasta

A generous serving packed with prawns, mussels, clams, squid, and cherry tomatoes. The sauce was bold and slightly spicy, with a rich tomato base that coated the handmade noodles perfectly. Super fresh and comforting.

“So much seafood in every bite! The flavours were deep, comforting, and just the right kick.”

🥩 Grilled Pork Chop with Baby Potatoes

Thick-cut pork chop grilled to perfection — juicy, tender, and full of flavour with a hint of rosemary. The roasted baby potatoes were crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. The beetroot sauce added a surprising pop of colour and flavour. Beautifully presented too.

“Rustic and hearty, yet elevated. A comforting main with great plating.”

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💬 Final Thoughts: We stumbled upon Lore Malastrana without much expectation, and it turned out to be an absolute highlight. The quality of food, attention to detail, portion sizes, and warm service were all top-notch. Would absolutely come back next time...

I had high hopes for Lore Malá Strana in Prague after hearing about the food, but sadly, the experience was a big disappointment. From the moment my partner and I arrived, we were made to feel like we were an inconvenience rather than welcomed guests. The first waiter we encountered was extremely rude — his demeanor cold and impatient, as if we were bothering him just by being there. It’s truly disheartening when you’re excited for a meal out and are instead treated like a nuisance.

Thankfully, a different waiter took over partway through, and he was considerably more polite — a small saving grace in an otherwise unpleasant experience. The food itself was very good, and I genuinely wish I could say otherwise, but no matter how great the kitchen is, customer service sets the tone for the entire evening.

When I dine out, I’m looking for more than just what’s on the plate — I want an experience, a sense of hospitality. Lore Malá Strana failed spectacularly in that regard. Due to the way we were treated, I have no intention of returning, and I cannot in good conscience recommend it to others. Prague has far too many wonderful places where you’re treated with kindness and respect to waste time and money somewhere you’re not made to...