Drinks in a former bank vault, dinner among old-world charm in Prague

Like many landmarks in the Czech capital, NH Collection Prague Carlo IV’s best-kept secrets are hidden within its neo-renaissance walls, starting with its intriguing backstory.  

Long before this imposing palace along Senovážné Náměstí, a short walk from the main train station, was reconstructed into one of the city’s top luxury hotels, it housed a bank and later served as Prague’s most notorious post office. 

The property’s understated mix of old-world charm and contemporary elegance has also provided a nice background for a number of Hollywood films. Today, you can sip on signature cocktails bearing names of the movies made here in the grandeur of the 1890 Bar.

The hotel is now embarking on a new chapter, following an extensive renovation a few years ago to update its look, including the interiors of its lobby restaurant and bar. 

While the hotel’s conference area and spa facilities are popular draws, the famed 1890 Restaurant & Bar has been getting rave reviews lately, thanks to its menu that offers a fresh, innovative approach to traditional Czech recipes. 

Josef Votoček, the new Executive Chef for NH Collection Prague Carlo IV, is leading the charge. His unique touches to the restaurant’s signature dishes are heavily influenced by his experience working in Michelin-starred restaurants and several upscale hotel kitchens.

The chef prioritizes local ingredients, pairing them with original and harmonious flavors from around the world. However, Czech inspiration is predominant in many of the dishes.    

The à la carte menu is refreshed every season. This winter, guests can enjoy grilled zander with beetroot and raspberry sauce, pumpkin casarecce with pumpkin seed chips and smoked cream, aged beef sirloin with Périgourdine sauce, confit Jerusalem artichoke, Brussels sprouts, and blackberry gel.

A wide selection of spirits and cocktails, as well as an extensive wine list, are also on offer here. In addition to the à la carte menu, guests can also look forward to special seasonal menus each month. 

“The atmosphere of the restaurant and the hotel is very pleasant and unique. I would love to bring that feeling to the plate, allowing our guests to forget everyday worries and enjoy wonderful moments with excellent food,” says Votoček. “The concept is simple—to work with a few suppliers who put their heart into their work and show that even local Czech ingredients have world-class quality.”

Dining at 1890 Restaurant & Bar is like stepping back in time. Situated off of the hotel’s grand lobby, with its soaring ceiling and dominant black alabaster ionic pillars, you get a real sense of the spot’s storied past. 

Designed by Viennese architect Achille Wolf and built in 1890 for the First Czech Land Mortgage Bank, the building retains much of its original 19th-century design embellishments and distinctive ambience. 

Sleek, stylish and surprisingly intimate, the space has since undergone several modernizations yet still speaks of a bygone era. 

In addition to helming 1890 Restaurant & Bar—its name refers to the year the palace opened—Votoček also oversees another slice of the hotel’s rich history. 

The Vault, a lovely wood-paneled bar discreetly tucked off the lobby entrance, was the original First Czech Land Mortgage Bank vault. The space, which features a photographic exhibition celebrating the building’s history, can be rented for private events such as wine or spirit tasting, intimate birthday celebrations, think tank meetings, or product launches. 

Votoček and his team are prepared for the holiday rush. If you are looking for a spectacular night out, 1890 Restaurant & Bar is getting ready to party. The hotel will host a lavish six-course dinner with wine pairings and live music on Christmas Eve. A gala evening on New Year’s Eve promises live cooking demonstrations, a swing band and a midnight DJ and dancers.

As the chef puts it, his main goal is for his guests to leave the restaurant with a sense of “perfectly spent moments.” 

Looking toward 2025, Votoček hints at big plans, but when pressed for details about any new innovative techniques or trends he’s planning to unveil, he merely smiles: “A magician never reveals his tricks! You’ll have to come and see for yourself.”