Christmas dinner in Prague 2022: Where to sit down to a fancy and festive feast

If gathering around the table with a homecooked traditional meal sounds a bit too labor intensive, you'll be glad to know that while many Prague restaurants close over the holidays, a handful will be offering sumptuous Christmas feasts on Dec. 24 or holiday brunches on Dec. 25 and Dec. 26.

From prix fixe menus featuring seafood and snails to traditional Czech Christmas dishes like carp or schnitzel and potato salad, we've put together tips for where to go for a fuss-free holiday celebration. Venues range from cozy pubs to upscale hotels and even an open-air holiday market.

Advance reservations are suggested wherever possible.

Andaz Prague at Senovážné náměstí is serving a four-course dinner with zander and carp fries (or a vegetarian option) at its Zem restaurant on Dec. 24–26. Price: CZK 1,995, wine pairing extra.

The Augustine in a historic former monastic space in Malá Strana will serve a four-course dinner menu on Dec. 24 and 25 as well as a champagne brunch on Dec. 25. The brunch is buffet style; events will be accompanied by live music. Price: CZK 2,450 for dinner, CZK 1,600 for brunch.

Coda in the Aria Hotel has a degustation menu with a choice of beef or carp for dinner on Dec. 24 and for lunch and dinner on Dec. 25. Price: CZK 4,400 per person.

The Mozart Prague has a Christmas Eve dinner on Dec. 24 from 6 p.m. with a choice of fish or beef for the main course. There is also an Advent Season menu until Dec. 25 and Boxing Day brunch on Dec. 26. Price for Christmas dinner and brunch: CZK 2,500 per person.

CottoCrudo in the Four Seasons has a degustation menu on Dec. 24 starting at 5:30 p.m. and a buffet-style Christmas brunch on Dec. 25 at noon. Price: Dinner and brunch each are CZK 2,900, wine pairing extra.

Monkey Bar in the newly refurbished Falkensteiner Hotel swings in with a four-round seven-dish menu featuring duck and halibut in its lush urban jungle setting. The Jungle Christmas feast is available from Dec. 24 to 26. Price: CZK 2,500, cocktails extra.

Mama Shelter celebrates with an a la carte menu and DJs. Duck, pike, venison, and pumpkin hash are among the main course options. The hotel eatery closes at 1 p.m. on Dec .24 and 1 p.m. on Dec. 25. Prices for main courses: CZK 249 to CZK 590.

Terasa U Zlaté studně has a degustation menu with carp, seafood, and beef on Dec. 24 through Dec. 26. Price: CZK 3,900, wine pairing extra. The regular a la carte menu will also be available on Dec. 26.

Deer Restaurant has carp or veal either a la carte or as a four-course tasting menu, available from Dec. 21 to 26. Price: CZK 799 for the menu.

Restaurant Zvonice has three Christmas menus: Bohemian with beef in truffle sauce, Bohemian festive with venison, and vegetarian with a vegetable tartlet. Price: CZK 3,980 each.

The Artisan is serving Christmas brunches on Dec. 25 and 26 starting at 12:30 p.m. Prior to that guests can enjoy advent weekend brunches throughout the month of December with live music and a selection of festive dishes. Brunch will be buffet style and starts from 12:30. Price including beverages: CZK 1,785 (kids up to 6-15: CZK 695, 0-6: free).

Zinc Restaurant at Hilton Prague Old Town has an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner on Dec. 24. at 7 p.m. Reservations must be made by Dec. 17. Price: CZK 2,100 per person.

Café & Bistro at Hilton Prague in Karlín served up an all-you-can-eat Christmas Day brunch buffet on Dec. 25, with a gift for children. Price: CZK 1,490 per person.

Červený Jelen serves a traditional mushroom and barley risotto (kuba) with punch on Dec. 24 from noon to 4 p.m. and a duck menu on Dec. 26. They are closed on Dec 25. Price: Kuba is CZK 295; duck main course is CZK 495.

La Bodeguita del Medio on Dec. 24 has an a la carte menu with carp, veal, and other choices starting at 11 a.m. Price: CZK 215 to CZK 430.

Malostranská beseda sticks to tradition on Dec. 24 with carp, veal or chicken steaks served with potato salad. Or you can try salmon steak or snails. Prices for main courses: CZK 249 to CZK 379.

V Zátiší A family-style Christmas lunch and dinner feast will be served at V Zátiší on Dec. 25. Enjoy carp, pike, and Prague ham. Prices for main courses: CZK 1,695/per person. Wine pairing CZK 845/person (a glass of wine per course).

The Able Butcher at Hilton Prague in Karlín serves a four-course dinner with lobster and goose on Dec. 24 at 6 p.m. Price: CZK 1,890 per person, beverage package extra.

Fred and Ginger in the Dancing House is open until 5 p.m. on Dec. 24 with a degustation menu featuring snails and salmon roll. Price: CZK 2,490, wine pairing extra.

Hard Rock Cafe has a holiday menu all month until Dec. 26 with ribs, burgers, salmon, or steak. Price: CZK 710 for two courses, CZK 800 for three courses.

Hoffmeister lets people choose from several snail main courses. The hotel restaurant closes at 3 p.m. on Dec. 24 but is open until 10 p.m. on Dec. 24 and 26. Main courses: CZK 290 to CZK 320.

The La Gare restaurant has a seafood lunch in two waves on Dec. 24, at 10:30 am. and 1 p.m. For those who don't want snails or prawns, there is coq au vin. Price for main courses: CZK 355 to 665.

Old Town Square will again serve free fish soup from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to anyone who wants some.

Restaurant Ungelt plans an a la carte lunch with snails on Dec. 24, as well as a menu with fish and beef in the evening. Dinner price: CZK 4,500 per person.