Six restaurants, one Brutalist icon: Legendary Prague hotel reborn as culinary destination

The Fairmont Golden Prague is set to reshape the local dining scene with its collection of select restaurants and bars all under one roof.

Julie O'Shea

Written by Julie O'Shea Published on 25.06.2025 08:00:00 (updated on 25.06.2025) Reading time: 5 minutes

This article was written in partnership with Fairmont Golden Prague Hotel Read our policy

After four years and CZK 4 billion in renovations, the former InterContinental hotel—once a shining symbol of international luxury behind the Iron Curtain—has reemerged as the Fairmont Golden Prague.

The Brutalist landmark on Pařížská Street has been given new life under the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts brand, marking the chain’s debut in Central Europe.

But the revitalization of this Prague classic isn’t just about polishing the past. It’s also a bold move to reconnect the hotel with the life of the city—starting with six new restaurants and bars designed not only for guests but also for locals.

An icon reborn

Originally built between 1968 and 1974 by architects Karel Filsak, Karel Bubeníček, and Jaroslav Švec, the InterContinental was the first international five-star hotel in former Czechoslovakia. Over the decades, it hosted a guest list of global luminaries—from Kofi Annan to Michael Jackson—and stood as a Brutalist beacon on the Vltava’s right bank.

Now, thanks to investment group R2G (owned by billionaires Oldřich Šlemr, Pavel Baudiš, and Eduard Kučera), the building’s bones have been restored and reimagined with a focus on Czech design heritage and sustainability.

Guests can expect 320 rooms, a conference hall with a capacity of up to 600, and the Fairmont Spa & Wellness: a 1,400 sqm space offering workouts, group fitness classes, luxurious treatments, and the only outdoor pool in the heart of Prague.


Fairmont Spa & Wellness

The 1,400 sqm spa and wellness center features five treatment rooms, including spaces for couples. A wide range of massages, facials, and body treatments are available, using Kerstin Florian and Barbara Sturm cosmetics. You can swim year-round in a heated indoor-outdoor pool, unwind in three saunas or a steam room, and take a break in the garden or fireside lounge. A modern gym and regular fitness classes round out the experience. With the purchase of any treatment, you can access the Wellness area for the whole day. 


A hotel that opens to the street

Rather than tucking its dining into private corners, the Fairmont’s six culinary venues have been designed to welcome the public, with direct access from Pařížská Street and footbridges from Dvořákovo nábřeží.

Architect Marek Tichý, who led the renovation, emphasized this openness: “We focused on making the restaurants and bars accessible to the general public. People will be able to enter freely even if they aren't staying at the hotel.”

Designed with the Czech spirit in mind

It’s rare to find six premium restaurants and bars, each with its own unique character, all under one roof in such a prime location, says Gerhard Struger, managing director of Fairmont Golden Prague.

Our doors are always open to tourists as well as locals, whether it’s to explore the latest Czech artist exhibition in the lobby, enjoy our diverse culinary offerings, or relax in our expansive spa and wellness center – one of the biggest in Prague.”

Struger says that Fairmont Golden Prague aims to preserve a “Czech spirit” throughout—from the design to the menu, to the way the hotel opens itself back up to the neighborhood. Even the food sourcing process considers sustainability and local partnerships, using a carbon footprint calculator to guide ingredient selection.

From Czech beer to Michelin pedigree

Fairmont’s dining program draws on international talent with serious credentials, including chefs trained in Michelin-starred kitchens and bar staff with high-end mixology expertise. But the hotel’s culinary offering is more than just pedigree: it reflects a strong focus on place, seasonality, and design.

Here’s a look at the venues making up the Fairmont’s restaurant and bar portfolio:

Zlatá Praha

Reimagined with a contemporary touch, this rooftop restaurant offers a modern take on Czech culinary heritage. Executive chef Maroš Jambor—whose background includes Michelin kitchens in London and New York—draws on classical and modern techniques to create layered, seasonal dishes. With golden lighting, soft banquettes, and sweeping city views, Zlatá Praha provides a polished setting for à la carte dining or tasting menus that revisit Czech flavors through a fine-dining lens.

Greenhouse

Greenhouse reinvents the Czech restaurant with tank Pilsner, a copper-topped bar, and chef-driven comfort food. Chef Alexandr Vraný and sous chef Nikolas Kratěna offer a dynamic menu that caters to all tastes – from sizzling charcoal-grilled meats on the Josper Grill or rotisserie to local Czech classics and hearty vegan and vegetarian options. Dine in a space that blends casual warmth with architectural elegance. Outdoor seating offers a rare bonus: sweeping Vltava views.

Golden Eye

Golden Eye’s rooftop cocktail bar delivers panoramic views of the Vltava alongside cocktails with an artistic edge. Inspired by 1970s design—cobalt glass, brass details—it channels cosmopolitan cool with an Asian street food-influenced small-plate menu. DJ sets and curated drinks by Jiří Vošahlík and his team set the tone for date nights, weekend gatherings, or a stylish nightcap.

The Coocoo’s Nest

Named for Czech director Miloš Forman’s Oscar-winning 1975 film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, this lounge proudly wears its cinematic influences. Retro artwork, plush seating, and a versatile menu make it a social hotspot throughout the day—whether for a morning coffee, casual lunch, or evening cocktail. Expect a mix of all-day breakfast, light bites, classic cocktails, and carefully selected wines.

Kafka Brasserie

This all-day brasserie pays tribute to Czech sculptor Čestmír Kafka, whose heraldic wooden reliefs from the late 1960s adorn the coffered ceiling. A glass sculpture by Jan Černohorský floats above the open kitchen, where chef Pavel Brož prepares a modern European menu built around seasonal Czech and international ingredients. Breakfast is served from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Hotel guests and the public can choose between the kitchen’s buffet or a la carte menu. 

Tilia Garden

Tucked beside the hotel’s wellness center, this calming space focuses on fresh, nutrient-rich dishes designed to complement a spa visit. The menu features smoothies, grain bowls, and plant-forward meals that don’t sacrifice flavor for health—all crafted from seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Tilia is a quiet choice for a light lunch or post-treatment recharge.

Once a fortress of exclusivity, the new Fairmont Golden Prague wants to be something different: a destination that feels local, rooted in history, and open to all.

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