Historic Prague slaughterhouse to become Zátiší restaurant after major revamp

Prague has completed a CZK 250 million restoration of the historic slaughterhouse exchange at Holešovická tržnice, where a restaurant specializing in grilled and smoked meat is expected to open by the end of the year.

The heritage-protected building dates to 1895. Its renovation took four years rather than the originally anticipated two, with costs rising from approximately CZK 200 million to CZK 250 million, including VAT.

Construction is finished, but the building has not yet received final approval for restaurant use. Tenant Zátiší Group is installing kitchen equipment, which must be in place before that approval can be granted.

Workers removed modern partitions and additions, replaced utilities and floors, and restored the building’s decorative interiors. The main hall features elaborate stucco work and paintings.

Tomáš Jílek, director of municipal company Technologie hlavního města Prahy, which supervised the work, said heritage requirements meant using original restoration techniques. Decorative gilding, for example, was restored with gold leaf rather than gold-colored paint.

Before renovation, the building had been closed for an extended period because of its poor condition. Problems included structural defects and wood-decaying fungi in timber elements.

Work began in 2022. Although the main reconstruction was initially finished in summer 2025, moisture problems in the basement required further drying and treatment.

According to Jílek, surrounding walkways are now approximately half a meter higher than when the exchange was built, contributing to water entering the building. Planned improvements to the outdoor space should also help address the problem.

Changes requested by the future restaurant operator added to the schedule. Councilor Adam Zábranský said these included a central bar that had not been part of the original design.

The restaurant’s layout will use the large hall and its column-separated side spaces. One side will house a kitchen with a bakery and grills, while the other will accommodate diners.

A main bar and two beer tanks are planned for the center. Operations manager Vojtěch Demeter said the concept will focus on fire, meat, smoke and beer, with an on-site smokehouse, open-flame grill and a large meat-aging room.

Including its outdoor garden, the restaurant is expected to accommodate approximately 500 guests, with more seating outside than inside. The market’s earlier announcement of the project also outlined vegetarian alternatives and house-made bread.

The restoration forms part of the wider renewal of Holešovická tržnice. Designed by architect Josef Srdínko and built between 1893 and 1895, the complex served as Prague’s central slaughterhouse until 1983, when it became a market.

Municipal company Výstaviště Praha took over management in 2022 and continues to prepare renovations of other halls and utility networks.

For prospective diners, the opening remains a year-end target rather than a confirmed date. Final approval depends on completing the restaurant’s technical installation.