In an almost overlooked location off a thoroughfare in the heart of Vinohrady, this café is named after a sacred building at Mecca, perhaps to make it clear that everybody must visit at least once. At best on a regular basis. But here, the Oriental analogy ends. Upon entering, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into EXPO 58, an international fair held in Brussels in 1958. You’ll be surrounded by a Brussels style with a love of bold colours. At Kaaba, you realise that fabrics, plastics and “cosmic” shapes have their place in design history and that they have a certain comfort and appeal.

To call Kaaba a café is somewhat misleading. Of course, you can savour great Italian coffee, or sample one of the countless varieties of tea. Or, you could experience a typical café activity by spending the entire day working or engaging in debate. Kaaba welcomes guests in need of breakfast, a hot light lunch or dinner, or just a little something. It even welcomes party animals, and doubles as a bar and wine bar. The prices positively encourage lingering, and given the central location, they are more than reasonable.