A well-known restaurant in Prague was forced to suspend part of its operations after inspectors uncovered serious hygiene violations, including mold, dirt, and evidence of rodents.

The inspection, carried out by the State Agricultural and Food Inspection Authority (SZPI) on April 23, focused on the Kolkovna Olympia restaurant near the Legií Bridge. Officials reported multiple breaches of hygiene rules, particularly in the basement areas used for storage and food preparation.

Inspectors found rodent droppings, insects, and visible dirt on the floors. They also noted that the premises were not adequately protected against pests. Cooling equipment showed signs of mold and buildup, raising concerns about food safety.

Due to the risk of contamination, authorities imposed a partial closure affecting the basement facilities, including a food preparation room and dry storage areas. The rest of the restaurant remained open.

The following day, inspectors returned to reassess the situation. After confirming that the issues had been addressed, they allowed the restaurant to resume full operations.

The restaurant’s management said the problems were limited to storage spaces that had not been in regular use. According to manager Karel Kováčik, the affected rooms were old basement areas located near the lower kitchen, which led to their inclusion in the closure.

He also pointed to a broader issue with rodents in the area, noting that interconnected cellars in Lesser Town make pest control difficult.

A pest control company had inspected the premises weeks earlier without finding issues, he said, adding that mice likely entered from a neighboring cellar shortly before the inspection.

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