Terasa U Zlaté Studné: Modern Czech Cuisine

 

Voted the best restaurant in Prague every year, Terasa U Zlaté Studné serves modern Czech and international cuisine on each of its three terraces - two heated and one indoor - all of which boast spectacular views of Prague. The restaurant's interior is the work of Italian architects Lorenzo Carmelini and Katrin Herden, and showcases their signature style of modern design with elements of the Renaissance era. Located in the charming and historic 5-star Golden Well Hotel Prague, Terasa U Zlaté Studné has the most incredible views of Prague all year round. Overlooking the city with the glorious spires of the Old Town Hall and the Church of Our Lady before Týn, is a Gothic church and a dominant feature of the Old Town of Prague. The views are absolutely stunning, the food is exceptional and the service professional yet very friendly. It is without a doubt our absolute favourite restaurant in Prague.

The elegant outdoor terrace of Terasa U Zlaté Studné on a glorious warm autumn day

A glass of bubbley beginning our lovely sunny lunch at Terasa U Zlaté Studné

Warm housemade bread 

Butter, olive oil and sea salt presented with the warm bread

Truffle Cream Profiteroles as an amuse-bouche

We ordered a bottle of Georg Nigl Grüner Veltliner to enjoy with our lunch 

A delicious wine and one of my absolute favourites

Shellfish Bisque with cuttlefish ravioli, octopus, fennel confit and saffron

Guinea Fowl with Corn, baby pak choi, lion's mane mushroom, lovage polenta and foie gras vinaigrette

Grilled Halibut with Prawn, Zucchini, Marigold, Candied Lemon, Watercress and Shrimp Velouté

A hot macchiato is the perfect ending to a delicious lunch 

www.terasauzlatestudne.cz/en

Zdenek's Oyster & Seafood Bar: An Extravaganza

 

Quite simply the best seafood restaurant in Prague, Zdenek’s Oyster Bar has earned its reputation as one of the city’s premier destinations, thanks to its world-class selection of fine champagne and wines paired impeccably with the freshest seafood including an inspiring array of oceanic treasures, such as oysters, shrimp, scallops, crabs, bulots, razor clams, langoustines and lobsters, all expertly crafted by Chef Jiri Nosek. An essential culinary destination for seafood enthusiasts, and celebrating the flavours of the ocean with every dish, we arrived for dinner on our second evening in Prague, and began with a few glasses of champagne before indulging in their spectacular Deluxe Seafood Platter.

Fresh Czech bread and butter presented in oyster shells, one speckled with caviar

Amuse-Bouche of octopus with caviar on shell shaped wafer and served over river rocks

A bottle of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Glass of the Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Selection of seafood utensils for use with our Deluxe Seafood Platter

The fabulous Deluxe Platter of raw seafood

Prawns, Scampi and Langoustines

The selection of French oysters - Fine de Clair, La Perle Noire, Gillardeau and Josephine

Bulots also known as Whelks, were delicious - a delicacy we first discovered in France

Two dozen mussels perched in the platter of ice

Half of a chilled Lobster with it's claw was an imposing sight

Selection of sauces for the seafood including horseradish, dill mayonnaise

tamari soy sauce and rouille

Josephine oyster - chilled sweet perfection

Langoustine with its meaty claw

We ordered a lovely bottle of Lorimer Gruner Veltliner to enjoy with our seafood

Perfect with seafood, this is one of our favourite wines

A simple metal pail on our table becomes the repository of our delectable debris

Dessert included faux peanuts made of sweet peanut butter

and the little berries were actually chocolate ganache served with apple jelly

A sweet and absolutely decadent end 

Chef Jiri Nosek

oysterbar.cz

Mincovna: Czech Cuisine in Prague Old Town

Nestled in Prague's Old Town Square, Mincovna is named after the Prague Mint, the original coin factory, which was located in the building two centuries ago. Here, chef David Kalina and his team cook traditional Czech cuisine in a modern way. In addition to traditional ducks, goulash and sirloin, the Viennese schnitzel is exceptional. The wine list is dominated by Moravian and Czech wines, which are complemented by wines from other countries of the former monarchy. Martin made our first visit to this delightful restaurant an evening to remember.

Czech Pilsner Urquell beer, which is light and simply sensational

Goose Liver Paté with red wine jelly, pickled pearl onions and served with sourdough bread

Wiener Schnitzel fried in butter of course

Cold potatoes and green leaf salad are served with the schnitzel

Glass of Tady chutná "Grüner Veltliner

Traditional Czech Beef Goulash served with shallots and potato dumplings

Glass of local Czech Tady chutná “Blaüfrankisch“

www.restauracemincovna.cz/en

Prague Old Town & Famous Astronomical Clock

 

Prague's Old Town Square is one of the most famous in Europe. The oldest part of a very old city, excavations indicate that the area was permanently inhabited since at least the turn of the first millennium, and probably well before. The area started as a marketplace in the 10th century at the crossroads of European trade routes, but it would have to wait until the town’s subsequent expansion during a time of booming prosperity in the 14th century during the reign of Charles IV, to earn the name we know it as today — Staré Město or Old Town — the medieval origins can still be traced. Houses and churches sprang up around the square determining the random network of cobbled lanes spreading out from its ancient heart, many of which survive. With its ancient buildings, magnificent churches and architectural treasures, it's one of the most beautiful and historical squares in Europe and entirely free of traffic except for a few horse drawn carriages. 

With one of the best-preserved historic city centres and important UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's not long before the streets of Old Town begin to unveil some of the best preserved examples of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance buildings in Europe. Famous highlights include the Old Town City Hall which dominates the square and is most well known for being home to Prague's Astronomical Clock; there's also the iconic Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn and breathtaking Baroque church of St. Nicholas. Jan Hus, a religious reformer who was burned at stake, is commemorated with a statue in the centre of the square and today is symbol of Czech independence. Perhaps the best approach to explore the area is to choose a direction, wander at will and lose oneself amid a largely undisturbed 14th-century townscape, in a bewildering state of astonishment and wonder.

Prague's Old Town Square with The Church of St Nicholas and monument to Jan Hus

The large monument of the reformer Jan Hus, one of the most important personalities in Czech history; a hundred years before the Protestant Reformation was started by Martin Luther, 

Jan Hus was burnt as a heretic for reformist ideas

Gorgeous Art Nouveau exterior of building on Old Town Square is now the Ministry of Regional Development

The twin Gothic spires of the 14th-century Church of Our Lady Before Týn 

is an unmistakable Old Town landmark

A culinary curiosity, a trdelník is one of the most common pastries to find on Prague's streets,

it's a sweet, fire cooked, cylindrical cake ofter filled with whipped cream

The famous and very beautiful medieval Astronomical Clock adorns the southern wall of the Old Town City Hall in the Old Town Square