PRAGUE GUIDE

The Legendary Prague Sweet Shop Mysak

The Mysak Gallery is a house of sweet delight with the air of times long gone, still very much in demand. After Erhartova cukrarna on Letna and Paukert delicatessen on Narodni trida it is another café with sweets, served with style.

The original premises met its fate when the building, being in a very bad shape, collapsed in 2006. It took almost three years to restore this legendary sweet shop to its actual look. The doors, but especially the stucco reliefs, were carefully and professionally removed and renovated, after which they were returned to their original places. The mosaics on the floor are original, the marble staircase and wooden alcoves are also from the original building. One would say it is a masterpiece – and the place seems not to have lost its spirit.

The equipment is new, though stylishly made in retro design, partly in Italy, partly in the Czech Republic. But they have all been re-made according to the original pictures, partly because there are new standards of dining, partly because the originals were stolen and are now at unknown addresses.

The new owners said about the premises: “After many years break, the most famous sweet shop of the First Republic was opened again. The cakes made there were tried for example by actors Oldrich Novy and Adina Mandlova, and the president T.G. Masaryk. Witnesses nostalgically recall especially the eminent Karamel cup, which is being sold again.”

Mysak Gallery, the sweet shop, can be found right next to the Wenceslas Square, in Vodickova Street 31, Prague 1. website

Pauker's Delicatessen

Delicacies from all around the world, as well as well-tried recipes which during the First Republic attracted such stars as Hugo Haas and Adina Mandlova, offers the newly re-opened delicacies shop of Jan Paukert. The history of the famous shop goes back to 1916, when it was founded by Jan and Stepanka Paukert.

Czechoslovakia has seen many battles since that time and many things have changed, but at least some good things are rooted so deep they are hard to destroy. The son of the founders came back to the very shop and participated in the re-opening, even though he has already celebrated his 90th birthday.

The renewed enterprise attracts customers mainly by traditional Czech delicacies; sandwiches, salads, quality Czech smoked dishes or handmade kremrole (cream rolls). Besides reintroducing old Czech recipes the shop also sells top European delicacies like Italian salamis and hams and French cheese.

Paukert junior comments on their food selection: “Today, the folks wouldn’t eat specialities of the First Republic, for example the roll which is made by a turkey, into which is put a goose, into which is put a quail.”

In 1938 the father and son Paukert hid a treasure before Hitler. They walled up one thousand two hundred bottles of the best cognacs and liqueurs. Those survived not only Hitler but also remained hidden from the communists, and a part of the collection can also be bought in the very shop. The value of the collection is almost incalculable.

Location: Narodni trida 17, Prague 1, website

Erhartova cukrárna - Café and Confectionery

Located in the Letna Park area of Prague, the Erhart Café stands in an historic building dating from 1937, and is one of the best sweet shops in town.

The selection isn't massive, but I think there is something for everyone. It’s all freshly made right there, and it looks and tastes delicious. They create custom-made cakes, and the head 'chef' is really very skilful. I’ve had some cakes made there and not only were they yummy, they also looked fantastic. Right now they also take orders for the typical Czech Christmas pastries and cookies. I ordered some last year and they were amazing! We are definitely ordering some more this year!

Location: Milady Horákové 56, Prague 7, website