After an absence of 18 years, the well-known Carrefour chain is set to return to the Czech Republic, marking a significant development in its international strategy. Partnering with JIP Retail, which operates 14 grocery stores across the country, Carrefour is gearing up to reintroduce its products to Czech customers next year. “This marks another crucial milestone in Carrefour’s international strategy, with a specific focus on Eastern Europe,” states Patrick Lasfargues, CEO of Carrefour International Partnership, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to growth in the region. Notably, Carrefour had a presence in the Czech market until 2006. JIP Retail, expressing enthusiasm about the collaboration, aims to offer an affordable selection of quality products encompassing both food and non-food categories. Jan Plšek, President of JIP Retail, highlights the complementary nature of Carrefour’s product range to their existing assortment. In a report by Kupi.cz, it is revealed that Carrefour’s offerings will span fresh and long-lasting food, including healthy, alternative, and organic products. Additionally, the chain will provide a diverse range of basic drugstore items, cosmetics, cleaning products, pet food, and more. With this exciting development, Czech consumers can look forward to the return of Carrefour, not just as a grocery store but as a...
The COVID pandemic brought many hardships to small businesses and restaurants, however, it’s important also to consider the positives that it brought in terms of innovation and creativity. That’s what makes Dash Kitchen an exemplary example of these achievements, behind the ideas of Mo, an Egyptian native who grew up in UAE, but studied here in Czechia at CVUT (Czech Technical University in Prague). Combining his academic background in electrical engineering and computer science with his family’s business experience in fashion and clothes manufacturing in Kuwait, Mo left the technical world behind to bring his new ideas to light in entrepreneurship. Instilling his passion for food, accompanied by his experience as a line cook at various restaurants, Mo turned his culinary skills into a successful enterprise with the creation of Dash Kitchen when the pandemic hit, essentially cultivating an idea of a ‘cloud kitchen’ specifically catered for take-out and deliveries. Since then, Dash Kitchen has grown steadfast into the post-COVID era where customers are still enjoying the creative concept’s ability to provide different menus spread across three locations in Prague. There’s certainly a lot to choose from for those looking to eat from the comfort of their own home, in...
In the evolving tale of Czech cronuts, the doughnuts crafted from croissant dough, the chapters continue. Contrary to the initial announcement, the Oh Deer Bakery’s branches have not bid farewell; they are thriving under fresh management. David Beránek, the new owner, has not only taken the reins but has also bestowed a new identity upon them—Luna Bakery. The final unveiling of this rebranding is anticipated in the coming weeks. Since December 15, the two shops located at Dejvická 34 and Purkynova 2, are now managed by David Beránek. Not a novice in the gastronomic scene, Beránek is also the CEO of La Cucina and behind several other culinary ventures. The new website states “Dear customers, just like a marriage sometimes breaks up, our relationship with the founder of OH DEER Bakery, Lukáš Vašek, has ended. As the producers of the products and owners of the two branches in Purkyňova and Dejvicka, we will continue to operate the bakery with our own products that you were used to buying from us or Rohlik. During the following months, we will rebrand and operate the branches under a new name. The assortment will not change, you can buy kroblihy, bread, sweet pastries and...
If gathering around the table with a homecooked traditional meal sounds a bit too labor intensive, you’ll be glad to know that while many Prague restaurants close over the holidays, a handful will be offering Christmas feasts on December 24-25. Mama Shelter Hotel in Prague is gearing up to treat locals and expats alike to a special Christmas menu on December 24-25. This Christmas, it invites guests to embark on a gastronomic journey featuring a blend of traditional Czech flavors and international delights. Mama Shelter presents a menu that captures the essence of Czech Christmas traditions. Among the tempting starters is the iconic mushroom Kuba, and a fish soup with roe, root vegetables, and croutons. Turning the spotlight to Czech classics, the main course features a duck served with cabbage. This dish, steeped in tradition, brings forth the warmth and comfort associated with Christmas feasts. You can also try the unique combination of ginger hummus with eggplant rolls, a fusion that marries Middle Eastern and European influences. Reservations are possible at [email protected] Prices for three three-course menu is CZK 960 including a welcome drink, live music, and a small Mama present!
If you want to experience an authentic old Prague, you should definitely visit Café Alchymista. Once you enter, you might discover that there is something magical about this place. The Spirit of Café Alchymista When you enter Café Alchymista, you feel like traveling back in time about one hundred years ago. This is also the moment when the first magical moment might come. Look up at the ceiling, and let yourself wonder about the alchemistic painting. When you look around, you can feel retro vibes with comfortable armchairs, decorations, and pictures. The “homey” feeling is even enhanced by the huge Monstera plant and smell of the freshly roasted coffee. When you pass the counter with delicious homemade cakes, you will discover another room that looks like a stylish granny living room. The atmosphere is enhanced by old piano standing in the corner, birds twittering by the window and if you are lucky, even cats lying around. You might guess that it’s still not the end. The cherry on the cake is coming when you open a glass door and enter the charming backyard. This is another magical moment that you might expect. Let yourself draw inside the magical garden full...
Many Europeans countries share the tradition of preparing a kind of sweet bread, often with dried fruits, for religious holidays. Germany has “stollen” and Italy eats “panettone”, while Russia makes “kulich” and Poland and Ukraine bake “babka”. In the Czech Republic (and Slovakia), there’s “vánočka”, a rich plaited bread served for Christmas. The Vánočka has a long history and is still popular today. The first reference to a Vánočka was in the 16th century, and over the years it has gone through many small transformations. Today in some places in the Czech Republic today it can be found under a wide variety of names: pletenice, pletanka, stědrovice, stricka, strucla, zemle, and ceplik. At one time, a Vánočka could only be made by a baker who was a guild craftsman. A classic Vanocka must be knitted from three progressively smaller braids, stacked on top of each other. That shape supposed to be interpreted as a rough sculpture of the baby Jesus wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger. It is, therefore, a symbol of new life and fertility. There are different recipes and styles. Just note that it usually means a late night as this has to be baked, taken out of the oven and...
For the fifth year in a row, Prague can enjoy holidays with a strong Caribbean and South American accent. Christmas in Venezuela is a whole congregation of traditions: dozens of dishes and recipes, celebrations throughout the country and an endless musical repertoire of Creole Christmas carols, better known as “Aguinaldos” which of course, include the iconic “Burrito Sabanero” (Little Donkey from the Savannah). Those who come to the Venezuelan Christmas Market at the Saint Thomas parish on Sunday, December 10th, will be able to taste a lovely sample of this particular way of living Christmas, typical of Venezuelans. The “hallaca” (big sister of the tamale) is a dish exclusive to Christmas time and deeply connected to Venezuelan identity. Its history and symbolism attest to the colonial past and its ingredients are a melting pot of cultures, races, and regions. Its preparation ritual is on the other hand very emotional, with families gathering for a whole day and dividing different tasks to give shape to a complex dish in process and flavor. With the Venezuelan migratory crisis of the last decade, in which more than 7 million people have had to leave their country, today hallacas are prepared and eaten in...
In a notable move, major retail chains Lidl and Billa in the Czech Republic have opted against selling live Christmas carp outside their stores, marking a significant shift in their approach. The decision aims to prioritize both customer satisfaction and environmental responsibility. This isn’t the first time Lidl has taken such a stance. In 2022, the company emerged as the trailblazer in the Czech market by becoming the sole retail chain to refrain from live carp sales. According to Lidl’s spokesperson Tomáš Myler, “Responsible business means offering customers the highest quality goods while ensuring our operations remain sustainable in the long term. That’s why we’ve chosen to ban the sale of carp outside our supermarkets. Fresh, already packaged fish will now be conveniently available in the sales area.” Joining this ethical initiative for the first time, Billa’s decision aligns with their broader strategy to show respect for animals and the environment. Last year, the company also ceased selling amateur pyrotechnics as part of this commitment. However, rival chains Tesco, Kaufland, Albert, and Penny are not following suit. They intend to continue selling live carp outside their supermarkets through partner companies. It’s crucial to recognize that in the Czech Republic, carp...
As a place known for its rich history, undiscovered beauty, and welcoming people, the Balkans’ is incomparable to any other part of the world. And so is the food! Today’s bustling diverse community in Prague means that many people have moved here from Southeastern Europe, bringing their cultures and traditions with them, hoping to share them. That’s how the story begins with Ivan Vitanov, who moved to Prague from his home in North Macedonia for his studies at FAMU about ten years ago. A little while later, his family joined him and they began their business importing fruits and vegetables from the Balkans. Then, they went even further and opened the first Balkan Food & Wine Market. Opening their first store in the middle of the pandemic in October 2020, Ivan and his family didn’t suffer any setbacks given the reception from customers in Prague, whether it be someone from the Balkans or not. First located in Radotín (Prague 16), they decided it was best to move the market closer to the city to reach more people. “We closed that store and opened a new one in Strašnice (Prague 10) and it turned out to be a great success. We...
Oh Deer Bakery, founded by Lukáš Vašek in 2017, is set to cease its operations in Prague by mid-December. The decision stems from the burnout experienced by the bakery owner, who delegated production to a third party. This move, however, proved a decline in the quality of the cronuts – doughnuts crafted from croissant dough – and a surge in customer complaints. Regretting the decision made a year ago to outsource production due to personal exhaustion, Lukáš Vasek shared on social media, “I was tired, worn down, burned to the ground, and this seemed like a fine solution. Unfortunately, it fell apart. In the last few weeks, it culminated in countless messages from you that were not fun to read at all.” On Friday, December 15, all three Oh Deer branches will bid farewell to customers for the last time. Vašek, currently contemplating a comeback strategy, emphasized on Instagram, “I’ve always said rather than do it wrong, I’d rather close”. He embarked on the cronuts venture with no prior experience, introducing doughnuts made from croissant dough at Oh Deer Bakery in 2017. The business flourished, expanding its presence in Prague and establishing an international branch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January...
Prague is no stranger to impeccable cuisine that can be found all over the city. Vietnamese, Italian, Indian, Korean, Latino, you name it, the capital has it. In that diverse mix of meals, there exists a special type of hamburger that can only be replicated outside of its home country, the United States, by a select few. The hamburger? The Smash burger. The difference between a hamburger and a smash burger exists within the name, and you can find yourself a delicious bite in Prague! The patties aren’t simply grilled, they’re smashed to perfection in a style where burgeristas are constantly pronouncing them as the ideal type of burger. So, if you’re in the mood for a burger with a little more flavor and zing, here are the top joints in Prague that claim their name in the Best Smash Burgers list: Smashed It’s in the name, and of course, it’s on the list! Many locals, expats, and tourists alike have all shared their 5-star ratings of Žižkov’s Smashed. Equipped with prime beef and loaded with a merciful amount of cheddar, Smashed has customers buying themselves a second burger right after finishing the first one. Not because of the...
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