Prague's new rooftop brunch: Eggs benedict, English breakfast, and dazzling views

Since its reopening earlier this year, the iconic Máj Národní department store in central Prague has become a must-visit destination, not only for its wide range of entertainment options but also for its extensive dining choices.

Among them is the rooftop restaurant and bar Fly Vista, with panoramic city views from 30 meters above the ground. While the revitalized department store boasts an impressive array of arcade games, superheroes, and the city's largest indoor family amusement park, Fly Vista is quickly establishing itself as a top draw in the lavishly renovated multifunctional space.

“Everyone who has visited the terrace so far has agreed that there is nothing like it in Prague. You will find yourself on the highest roof in Prague 1. The only higher rooftop is the Church of Our Lady of the Snows, about 100 meters away but inaccessible to the public. With us, you can look forward to a spacious roof with a breathtaking view,” says Martin Klán, a member of the Amadeus board of directors who oversaw the Máj Národní renovation project.  

The eighth-floor restaurant's elegant aesthetic certainly complements the stunning 360-degree terrace view of Petřín Tower, Prague Castle, and the National Theater.

“The viewing terrace helped incredibly accelerate the whole project. The view from the roof was the decisive impulse to change the original concept, which included a department store and offices,” says Klán.

Stepping off the elevator, you are greeted with bursts of vibrant colors, a polished modern design and a dazzling 36-meter marble bar that dominates the spacious indoor dining room. The atmosphere, an oasis of calm, is a sharp contrast to the floors below.

Fly Vista's Executive Chef Karel Caldr, whose experience in the Czech hospitality market spans more than a decade and includes a lengthy residency at the Four Seasons, says his aim for the restaurant was to create a space that is welcoming to all, where guests are encouraged to feel at home whether they are dressed up or going casual. 

Caldr has pulled together an impressive cadre of sous chefs from the city’s prestigious hospitality scene to help create dishes that appeal to a wide range of palettes.

The restaurant's diverse breakfast menu features everything from creamy eggs benedict three ways, including with smoked salmon and spinach, to decadent French toast with Grand Marnier and caramelized apples.

A traditional prix-fixe English breakfast features Prague ham and English bacon, hashbrowns with Gruyere cheese, and freshly squeezed orange juice, tea, and coffee.

Pancakes, pastries, bagel sandwiches, a scrambled egg croissant with black truffles and whipped butter or veal sausages from the local Čejka butchery are among the more decadent à la carte offerings. Healthy staples like porridge with fresh seasonal fruit or fresh pressed juices round out the affordable menu.

Caldr's efforts to create a dining experience where guests are encouraged to feel at home, whether they are dressed up or going casual, have certainly paid off. Fly Vista, has become a popular business lunch spot, bustling in the afternoon hours as well.

After sunset, the space transforms into a sophisticated bar with a range of small bites, signature drinks, and Champagne. The venue frequently features live music and special events. For added privacy, you can enjoy your drinks on the ninth-floor terrace, which, according to Calder, has already been the setting for marriage proposals.

Caldr remains set on making Fly Vista a beacon for breakfast dining. Based on our recent Sunday morning visit, it appears word is spreading fast, and with good reason – in addition to its jaw-dropping backdrop and high-caliber kitchen staff, Fly Vista undoubtedly serves one of the best breakfast deals in the city center.

What’s more is the fact that, despite its prime location, this sleek rooftop venue still feels like a hidden gem. At least for now.