Share the love at Prague's soulful new dining destination

Soul Love, Prague's newly opened emporium of sashimi, steaks, and sharing dishes might just be the dining venue that brings locals back to Wenceslas Square.

Czech restaurateur Honza Šimice together with his business partner David Harrison has transformed the short-lived Yalta Craft Bistro into an electrifying new concept that takes its cues from London’s Sexy Fish and Sushi Samba, or Madrid’s Amazónico.

Šimice, a native Praguer, is no stranger to opening restaurants in tourist zones: his Fat Cat Restaurant and Beerhouse is a beacon of craft beer and burgers on Old Town’s Karlova street.

When the opportunity presented itself to revive the historic hotel restaurant, Šimice didn’t hesitate. “I was born here. It’s Jalta, for me it was obligatory. It’s just a mecca for doing something special.”

Soul Love’s riotous mix of rainforest decor and local art set the mood for something unexpected. Works by Peru-based Czech artist Otto Placht, Czech-German painter Jiří "Georg" Dokoupil, and Luxembourg master sculptor Thierry Funck adorn the cavernous venue.

The stunning redesign incorporates lush greenery while the plush banquette seating in the bubble lounge lends to the swishy vibe.

Despite the flashy decor, the degustation menu gets straight to the point.

Executive chef Takeshi Ito’s Omakase menus change according to the availability of ingredients and the chef’s inspiration (roll your own sushi was a recent innovation). The Vegan, Seafood, or Chef’s Pick degustation platters are hand-selected by chef Ito and served to share.

Our platter combined beautifully crafted vegan sushi and “cavi-art” with a variety of sashimi – tuna, swordfish, salmon – and shaki mentai and red dragon rolls.

The small-plate menus are divided into Snacks and Bites, Fish and Seafood, Salads and Vegetables, Meat, Japanese Wagyu, and Desserts. Three or four plates per person are recommended and can be ordered with sides of white or black rice, soba noodles, taro, or Hokkaido potatoes.

Standout dishes include crispy yakitori, karaage, a Japanese fried chicken ball, and tender kamo duck breast, all perfect soul mates for the zingy dipping sauces. Those who aren’t in the sharing mood can go for a Rib-Eye cut from A5 Japanese Wagyu beef or USDA choice T-bone steak.

Mochi, rainbow-hued dragon-fruit cake, rice ice cream, and a hot chocolate flambée with strawberries, mango, and dragon fruit are the perfect finish. When paired with Soul Love’s aperitifs or dramatically presented cocktails (try the porn-star martini garnished with a smoking flavor-infused bubble and a Matcha Gynn and tonic), dessert becomes an experience of its own. 

From date night drinks and appetizers to a casual weeknight meal, or a night out set to the venue’s regular lineup of live Cuban music and DJs, it’s this kind of build-your-own experience that makes Soul Love appealing to every appetite and occasion. Guests are also welcome to simply drop in for a cocktail at the restaurant’s centerpiece retro-chic bar.

Since its opening in September 2022, Soul Love has already received praise from one high-profile guest, actress Anjelica Huston who visited in December while presumably shooting “Ballerina” on location in the Czech capital.

 Just like his beloved Fat Cat restaurant, Šimice says the message at Soul Love remains the same. “Enjoy the beautiful food, or sit down, relax, and just have a drink." 

“We want each and every visit to feel like a celebration,” he said.