Pavel Ruml
Mandarin Oriental, Prague
When my friends are in town, I take them for a drink at… Lokál U Bílé Kuželky for a great Czech Pilsner Urquell beer. You can take the draughting class with one of the local experts, who teaches you how to draw your own beer. The restaurant that best shows off Prague is… Terasa U Zlaté Studně. The view from the upper outdoor terrace is phenomenal and it’s the perfect spot for a romantic dinner or lunch. For a business meeting, I book… The Captain’s Table, which is actually a private dining room, at George Prime Steak. If you want to keep it discreet, use the restaurant’s side entrance to avoid the curious looks of other visitors. And a place that’s really popular with locals is… Field. Within 18 months of opening, the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star. If you want a nightclub experience, go to… Duplex Club. It’s a lively place and on warm nights you can chill on the top-floor outdoor terrace overlooking Wenceslas Square. My favourite breakfast place is… Café Savoy, a short walk from Mandarin Oriental, Prague. Advance reservation is a must. And for a caffeine fix, I go to… Můj Šálek Kávy. Is it a café or cosy laboratory? You can decide for yourself. Prague’s best place to shop for designer fashion is… the high street, Parižská. And, for local designer labels, make sure you visit the nearby streets; my favourites are Dlouhá, Dušní, V Kolkovně and Elišky Krásnohorské. For the perfect memento, make your way to… Studio Šperk – a great place for designer vases, Moser glassware or garnet jewellery. For smaller gifts, visit Manufaktura, which sells fantastic wooden toys, cosmetics and T-shirts. And for a romantic experience, couples should book… a boat trip with a bottle of Champagne on a small, open mahogany boat on Čertovka canal. For a cultural experience, visit… the Lobkowicz Palace at Prague Castle. The audio tour in English, narrated by nobleman William Lobkowicz, is a great way to experience this museum. It has also introduced Prague InSpires, a panoramic tour that gives an overview of the city’s history in about 30 minutes. If it’s raining… enjoy the amazing spa at the Mandarin Oriental, of course! It’s housed in a former chapel. The best daytrip is… Český Krumlov, my second-favourite city in the Czech Republic after Prague. Don’t miss the State Castle.