Just in time for spring: Bottomless champagne brunch returns to Prague

There is something almost magical about Sunday brunch at the Augustine Hotel. Tucked off a busy tram thoroughfare in Malá Strana at the base of Prague Castle, this five-star property sits on the grounds of a 13th-century monastery. 

Its ornate interiors and charming dining terrace are divine. By all accounts, it should be a prime sightseeing stop. And yet, walking through the arched gates will instantly make you feel as though you’ve stumbled upon a gem that’s been carefully hidden in the middle of one of the city’s most prominent tourist hubs. This quiet, historic ambiance sets the stage for a unique culinary experience.    

The hotel restaurant’s brunches, accompanied by live piano music, have long been a Sunday tradition. While “brunch” might be a bit of a stretch, seeing that reservations run from 12:30 p.m. until 3 p.m., Chef Jan Horák’s buffet menu – a mix of seafood delicacies, salad staples, fine cheeses, freshly cut Czech farm meats, and roasted potatoes – can be satisfying at any hour. 

The restaurant has a more modern-looking aesthetic than the rest of the hotel’s public areas, with lots of beige, straight lines and wood jumping out. It was still a bit too chilly to sit on the terrace when we visited, and the indoor space felt a little cramped for the hubbub involved with buffet dining.    

The dress code is smart casual, and the crowd on our recent visit here went all out, including a smattering of well-behaved youngsters, some of whom were sporting bowties and colorful party dresses.        

A small note on the live music – a nice touch, but the acoustics can be overwhelming if you sit too close to the piano. This will undoubtedly be a non-issue once the terrace opens for the outdoor dining season.       

The setup is all-you-can-eat, with the fixed rate price differing depending on your drink selection: bottomless soft drinks, bottomless prosecco, bottomless champagne. 

We went with the bottomless soft drink-prosecco option and can attest you won’t go wrong with this choice. The wait staff, friendly and attentive, doesn’t let your flutes stay half-empty for long.

All in all, you will leave fully satisfied, though the meal feels more like working through a parade of small, artfully arranged tapa dishes. Carrying more than one dish back to your table would feel gluttonous in this setting, so be prepared to make several trips to the buffet tables to get your fill.    

It would be easy to overindulge in the bread and cheese platter, which the kitchen sources locally, but you’d be missing out on the other tasty seasonal nuggets on offer. 

The eggs benedict, made on the spot with your choice of ham or salmon, stand out, as does the dazzling dessert spread. The confections are laid out temptingly next to the appetizers, making it hard not to want to kick off your visit with a dainty cup of tiramisu decorated with a butterfly or a generous slice of chocolate cake.

Most locals would raise an eyebrow at the thought of spending CZK 1,600 for brunch – the cheapest menu option, which includes bottomless soft drinks and Prosecco Bosco Blanc de Blancs. However, given the location and venue of this particular Sunday brunch, it would be hard to argue that this price isn’t a steal.   

At the Augustine Restaurant, it’s not only about the food but also the atmosphere. You aren’t rushed through your meal but encouraged to linger over your prosecco or champagne (à la Jacquart Mosaique Brut) while you work through round two or five at the buffet tables.      

Bottom line: Sometimes, getting dressed up and splurge with friends or family is fun.