The Prague Feed: New openings and events for winter 2024

The arrival of the new year brings a wave of exciting openings to Prague. There's no shortage of places to hunker down and weather the elements with a hot toddy or a steaming bowl of ramen. Fortify against freezing climates inside a rooftop igloo or with a hearty plate of pasta. Feed your spirit with the stunning interiors and swanky surroundings of several newly opened Prague restaurants signaling the return of fine dining in 2024.

Newly opened in Smíchov, Nai intends to introduce the world to "Ukrainian culture, food, and DNA." The authentic Ukrainian touch is evident in the decor, staff uniforms, and service as well as the menu: cabbage rolls with shrimp, borscht with lard, potato dumplings with mushrooms and mozzarella, and Kyiv-style cutlet. Plans for global expansion include New York and ten other cities in 2024.

Chef Radek Kašpárek, best known for helming the Michelin-starred Field, brings a fresh take on Czech cuisine to Old Town with 420. An in-house gourmet grocery store and historic location promise an extraordinary dining experience.

Six-month pop-up Kruh Studio is located in an intimate setting with a secretive menu inspired by nature and "the pagan traditions associated with it." The 10-course, Nordic-inspired meal is prepared by chef Petr Bartoš in an apartment on Vodičková Street through June 2024.

Peruvian cuisine melds Inca, Spanish, and Japanese influences. In Peru Peru enjoy traditional delights like ceviche, tiraditos, empanadas, and grilled meats and fish. Start your evening with a Pisco Sour cocktail, capturing the essence of Peru's culinary diversity.

What was once a seasonal project for chef Marek Fichtner, Trezor is now a permanent fixture of the former vault space in the historic Červený Jelen restaurant. Executive chef Fichtner and head chef František Hrdina have built a solid of freshwater and sea fish, game, mushrooms, and root vegetables.

The Pytloun Sky Bar & Restaurant Prague is bringing back its heated transparent igloos, seating 32 guests, to its rooftop terrace. Cozy up with signature cocktails and a 360° panoramic view of Prague winter.

The newly opened Vezmi pivo na klobás celebrates a range of diverse beer styles, featuring top selections from small local and international breweries on six taps. Charcuterie offerings from regional butchers and suppliers around Europe are paired with pivo.

The Augustine in Malá Strana has opened its long-awaited St. Thomas Brewery after reconstruction. The historic grotto space, which once housed the brewing operations of Augustine monks, is accessible from Letenská Street. Serving Czech-style smalls bites and its signature St. Thomas beer, the recipe for which dates back to 1352.

Gabby's Irish Pub, is an authentic Irish nightspot with cocktails, whiskey, and sports TV. Adjacent to its sister Dutch Pub, Gabby's, named after Dutch Pub's jovial manager Gabina, offers Irish billiards, a bar menu of hot dogs, bacon fries, homemade pâté, and wings washed down with Guinness.

Run by family owners who are passionate about pizza, Pizza Gatto Nero Vinohrady pies incorporate premium flour, select mozzarella fior di latte, and the freshest basil. The creative seasonal menu is sourced from small farmers for ingredients with a story.

Promising an authentic Japanese atmosphere and meticulously crafted ramen in a chic setting, Ramencraft is poised to open a noodle shop in the heart of Old Town. The grand opening on Jan. 29 promises a free t-shirt to the first 100 guests.

Newly opened at Manifesto Holy Pasta offers three types of pasta shapes, seven toppings, and sixteen unique sauces, prepared in front of you. The menu features meat, vegetarian, fish, and healthy options.

The Cookie Beacon concept started in Budapest in 2003 and has expanded to markets across central and Eastern Europe. The family-owned café offers cafecitos, chunky cookies, and brunch with a twist and is headed to Prague, according to a recent Instagram post.

The Cooks Without Homes project (Jídelna Kuchařek bez domova), a café where staffers are all homeless women who “like cooking and want to share their culinary skills with others and break the barriers between the public and the homeless” is back in business. Now serving hot lunches, savory and sweet treats with coffee, every Tuesday to Thursday.

Expats Liudmila and Peter bring the essence of a Danish bakery to the newly opened Joy Bakery in Vršovice. Liudmila trained in Denmark, mastering good fermentation, and laminated dough. The Nordic-focused bakery offers a variety of sweet and savory pastries, baguettes, and bread, incorporating Danish, French, Spanish, and Czech influences.

The pork season has begun with pig-feast menus and events at Lokál restaurants every weekend until Lent. Taste traditional dishes, like jitrnice and goulash.

The Winter Affairs craft beer festival put on by Zichovec brewery's Winter Affair festival on Jan. 27 at Prague's former Gabriel Loci church has 24 top European breweries presenting 150 carefully selected beers. Sample Czech lagers, good food, and an afterparty with local Prague DJs.