The nature of the dining experience at Mandarin Oriental, Prague is defined by two fundamental sensibilities: one, the Group’s celebrated Oriental heritage and its emphasis on graceful, contemporary style; two, by the hotel’s location in the heart of Europe, within the ancient walls of a onetime monastery.

The distinguished, even imposing nature of the building is balanced by the light touches evident throughout the interiors, as well as in the modern menus bringing together the best of contemporary Czech cuisine with the bright flavours of Asia .The culinary philosophy at Mandarin Oriental, Prague is not to present a generic ‘Asian fusion’ menu, but to allow these two authentic traditions to stand side by side, allowing the guest to choose one, the other, or a combination of both.

The individual dining venues within the hotel include the signature Essensia restaurant and the BAREGO Bar. Additionally, guests are able to enjoy in-room dining throughout the day. The function rooms at Mandarin Oriental, Prague – the Monastery Lounge, Grand Ballroom, and Dominicus Hall – are inspiring choices for a variety of events, from breakfast meetings to receptions, grand dinners, weddings, and business or private gatherings.

Restaurant: Essensia
In Eastern Europe, the noble Tokay wine has always been the dessert wine of choice; the purest and highest-quality Tokay is called Eszencia. The Essensia restaurant at Mandarin Oriental, Prague aims to present the very essence of contemporary Czech and Asian gastronomy in an elegant and comfortable atmosphere, delighting all senses. Located on the ground floor in a series of five connected rooms with vaulted ceilings, the restaurant envelops its patrons in an intimate, warm atmosphere created by the softly glowing lights, soothing colour scheme, and vivid accents such as original artwork and fresh flowers. A staircase in one of the five rooms leads down to an atmospheric, vaulted wine cellar which serves as a depository for outstanding bottles from around the world. The cellar, which seats 12-16, is a natural venue for wine tastings, private dinners, cocktail parties and similar events.

With patrons ranging from hotel guests to diplomats, business professionals, and the well-travelled and educated local clientele, the restaurant is a lively destination for important business lunches, intimate dinners, or celebrations of any kind.

Under the direction of Executive Chef Jiří Štift, one of the country’s most exciting culinary talents, the menu at Essensia changes seasonally, bringing together modern Czech cooking and the wonderful world of Asian flavours. Chef Štift has revived traditions from the Golden Era of Czech cookery to present guests with nothing less than a renaissance of the region’s cuisine. He makes the most of fresh seasonal ingredients sourced both locally and globally, using them in creative preparations that maintain fidelity to the origins of each dish.

Breakfast features an elegant traditional menu of European and American favourites, the freshest croissants, breads and pastries along with organic products, oats, grains, and fresh fruit and juices; additionally, a Japanese breakfast menu is also available.

The Lunch menu offers an assortment of freshly-prepared salads, soups, fish, poultry, and other flavourful choices; in line with the holistic concept of the spa, healthy preparations are featured in many dishes.

Dinner at Essensia is a chic, festive occasion. Dressed in light yet rich tones and materials, the restaurant is a stunning backdrop for entertaining important clients or romantic dinners à deux. Accompanying the ambitious Czech and Asian menus, an extensive list of the finest Czech, European, and New World wines is available along with a wide range of classic and signature cocktails. A wine cellar and private dining room below the restaurant provide atmospheric settings for private functions and wine tastings.

Bar: BAREGO
The name of this utterly modern bar, voted the country’s best bar by two national bar competitions, hints at the architectural heritage of the surrounding buildings – Baroque, Renaissance, and Gothic. Staffed with expert bartenders and exuding urbane sophistication and grown-up chic, with an impressive array of traditional and signature cocktails ready to be deployed, the bar is a popular meeting spot for the city’s movers and shakers.