Café Louvre

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Key details

Where? City Centre | New Town

Type of establishment Bakery & Patisserie | Tea & Coffee | Restaurant

Cuisine Czech | International

Budget $$ | $$$

On the first floor of an inconspicuous multi-storey building, Café Louvre stands on Národní třída. In fact, this institution consists of several spaces, each with its own function. You’ll find a restaurant, billiards room, summer terrace, and a café oozing Belle Époque atmosphere. And don’t forget that the café has a small side lounge, where patrons enjoy a dessert or main meal in peace and quiet. It’s also a good space for reading a newspaper, discussing the day’s affairs, or simply gazing out of the large windows and watching life go by outside on Národní.
Arches and cream and pink walls with neo-Roccoco plasterwork characterise the café’s bright, airy interior. Overall, the effect resembles that of the opulent yet cosy coffee houses typical of the Habsburg Empire at the turn of the 20th century. In its heyday, numerous such institutions existed; today Café Louvre is one of the last.
Given the sad story behind the interior, the authentic feel of Café Louvre can be regarded as a remarkable success. The coffee house opened its doors in 1902 and quickly became a favourite haunt of the upper echelons of Prague society. Upon the communist takeover in 1948, the café was shut down and turned into offices. In 1992, Café Louvre opened its doors once again, after complete reconstruction, which brought back the original magic of the interiors. Thanks to the warmth of its Belle Époque atmosphere, Café Louvre makes an ideal place for family time over a coffee and superb apple strudel.

Want to know a secret?

Café Louvre has an important place in Czech intellectual history. Patrons included those of global renown: writers Karel Čapek and Franz Kafka; others included physician Albert Einstein, who enjoyed taking his coffee at Café Louvre.

Anaïs