Illegal Kebab Stall and Restaurant Front Garden to Disappear from Prague 1

A kebab stall on Národní Street near Jungmannovo náměstí is set for removal in the coming weeks, along with a restaurant’s front garden in Old Town Square.

The reason? Lack of proper permits.

According to Giancarlo Lamberti (TOP 09), chairman of the financial committee of the Prague 1 council, the decision follows a broader effort to regulate public space.

In December, a front garden in Týnský dvůr was taken down, followed by an illegal stall outside the Czech National Bank this January.

The stall, located next to the Můstek metro entrance, has already ceased operations. “It did not have the necessary permits. The owner was asked to remove it but did not comply. We are now proceeding with its removal, which should be completed in a few weeks,” Lamberti said.

The Technical Administration of Roads will oversee the process, first selecting a company through a tender to dismantle the structure.

Old Town Square Restaurant to Lose Its Front Garden

The Einstein Pizzeria & Restaurant on Old Town Square will also have its outdoor seating area removed. Located at the entrance from Celetná Street, it is the first front garden on the left.

“During an inspection, we found that this front garden lacks a lease agreement and a public space permit. It has no right to be there,” Lamberti stated. The owner was ordered to address the issue but took no action.

Prague 1 has been tightening regulations on public spaces, reversing years of lax enforcement. “The situation has improved, but with summer approaching, new violations will likely emerge,” Lamberti noted.

Crackdown on Unauthorized Structures in Prague 1

Last September, Prague authorities removed several front gardens near the Astronomical Clock after a two-year legal battle with restaurant owners, who ultimately lost in court.

In December, a roofed front garden was dismantled in Týnský dvůr (Ungelt). It had been operating illegally for over a year, with the lease expiring in October 2023. Its solid, enclosed structure also failed to meet the guidelines set in the Manual for a Cultivated Prague.

“Public space has clear rules that must be respected. In the historic center, it’s especially crucial that businesses obtain all necessary permits, lease agreements, and pay the required fees,” Lamberti emphasized.

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