Café Imperial
Hlavní město Praha, Czechia · Nové Město
Insider Compass
An expert assessment built on data, context and gastronomic judgement.
RECOGNITIONS
About Café Imperial
Stepping into Café Imperial is like entering a gilded Belle Époque dream—the 1914 Art Nouveau interior, with its original ceramic tile mosaics and ornate ceiling, remains one of Prague's most stunning dining rooms, a former haunt of Franz Kafka and the city's cultural elite. Under the guidance of Zdeněk Pohlreich, a veteran of international hotel kitchens and a champion of Czech culinary heritage, the menu balances traditional Czech comfort with modern refinement, earning a Gault & Millau toque and widespread acclaim. This is grand café dining done right: impeccable Bohemian hospitality, classic technique, and an atmosphere that manages to feel both historic and warmly welcoming. Perfect for anyone seeking a taste of old-world Prague without the stuffiness.
Good to know
Book ahead—this is a landmark destination, and walk-ins are often turned away during peak lunch and dinner service, especially on weekends.
The chef
Zdeněk Pohlreich
Zdeněk Pohlreich brings a globally seasoned perspective to Czech cuisine, having trained at hotel school in Prague before honing his skills across continents—from pastry work at Regency College in Australia to leadership training at Radisson properties in Gothenburg and stints at La Guillotine, Alcron at Radisson Blu Prague, and the Atlantic Hotel Marriott Beach Resort in the Cayman Islands. His cooking philosophy centers on elevating traditional Czech flavors with the precision and consistency learned in international hotel kitchens, balancing respect for Bohemian terroir with technique acquired on four continents. Pohlreich's approach at Café Imperial reflects decades of brigade experience: disciplined mise en place, clean execution, and a commitment to making Czech gastronomy shine without gimmicks.
The Insider Compass
Four dimensions, each assessed independently against the same criteria everywhere we rate.
Plate
The kitchen delivers Czech classics with polish—think braised veal cheeks with silky sauce, duck confit cooked to tender perfection, and beef tartare served the traditional way with grilled toast. Technique is sound across the board, with proper Maillard caramelization on proteins and a deft hand with cream-based soups like the wild garlic and dill versions that regulars swear by. The Imperial Cake, a house signature, caps meals with a nod to the café's storied past.
Vibe
LivelyThe energy is refined yet approachable, with a mix of well-dressed locals, cultural enthusiasts, and visitors who've done their homework on Prague's dining scene. The soaring mosaic ceilings and ceramic tile work create a sense of occasion without formality—expect a lively hum during peak service, punctuated by the clink of silverware on porcelain. It's the rare grand café where you can linger over breakfast or settle in for a proper multi-course dinner without feeling rushed.
Service
The brigade runs with polish and genuine warmth, striking that ideal balance between attentive and unobtrusive—servers know the menu inside out and guide choices with confidence. Hospitality here feels old-school European in the best sense: courses arrive with proper timing, wine is poured with care, and solo diners report feeling genuinely welcomed rather than sidelined. On busy evenings, expect professionalism over intimacy, but never a sense of being overlooked.
Setting
The Art Nouveau interior is the undisputed star—hand-laid ceramic tiles climb the walls in intricate patterns, the mosaic ceiling glows with period detail, and even the golden swan-shaped taps in the bathrooms are works of craftsmanship. Located on Na Poříčí in Nové Město, the space has been lovingly restored to its 1914 glory, preserving the kind of architectural splendor that made it a magnet for Prague's intelligentsia a century ago. Every corner rewards close inspection, making it as much a visual experience as a culinary one.
These four dimensions are a handful of the attributes we review. The Insider Rating also draws on research the compass does not display — among them the wine programme, the size and quality of the cellar, the location, and how long the house has operated. It is not an average of the scores above.
Go for
- The breathtaking Art Nouveau interior and historic atmosphere
- Classic Czech comfort food executed with modern polish
- Consistently warm, professional service that welcomes solo diners and groups alike
Don't go for
- A quiet, intimate tête-à-tête during peak hours
- Cutting-edge innovation or avant-garde plating
Details
Na Poříčí 1072/15, Nové Město, 110 00 Praha-Praha 1, Czechia
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