With the arrival of the cold autumn and winter months comes the mussel season, which lasts from approximately the end of September to March, delighting especially lovers of clams, oysters, and scallops.
In Prague, there are several restaurants where we can taste these excellent shellfish fresh in the coming months, creating a relaxed seaside resort atmosphere.
Oysters are a true delicacy for many people, and while they are sometimes cooked, they are mainly consumed raw. They are served freshly opened and ideally just caught from the sea. Fresh oysters have a bright scent of seawater, and they are most often served by the dozen on ice, drizzled with lemon or dressing. Anyone who develops a taste for them can never get enough. Perhaps the biggest consumers of oysters are the French. Oysters contain no fat and very few calories, while being high in protein.
Phone: 222 315 022
Belgian restaurant Les Moules is arguably one of the best places in Prague to enjoy delicious fresh mussels prepared in a variety of ways. The chef serves mussels in traditional Belgian style, and alongside classic portions served in a pot, the restaurant also offers an all-you-can-eat option. Popular choices include mussels steamed in dark Belgian Leffe beer, Basque-style mussels with chorizo, Thai-style mussels and mussels in white wine. In addition to mussels, the menu features fresh oysters. The drinks list includes a fine selection of wines and Belgian beers. Fresh mussels are delivered several times a week directly from fishermen at their farms in the Danish fjords
Phone: 731 136 144
The Café Savoy restaurant and café, part of the Ambiente group, offers fresh Gillardeau oysters served on ice.
Phone: 222 313 712
The French restaurant La Gare offers fresh Fine de Claire, Josephine or Gillardeauoysters from October to March. The restaurant sources its oysters directly from fishermen in Denmark. During this period, you will also regularly find mussels on the menu, which they prepare on the grill year-round, and they are excellent.
Mussels are the most common shellfish, and the masters of their preparation are primarily found in Belgium, where these mussels are considered a national dish. They are typically cooked by steaming in white wine, herbs, cream, garlic, or vegetables. Common sides include white bread or fries. Mussels can also be part of other dishes, such as Italian pasta or Spanish paella.
Belgians traditionally steam them in their excellent beer or with celery stalks and white wine, with fries and mayonnaise as a side. White wine pairs best with mussels.
| Restaurant Bricks Prague 1, Cihelná 2b Phone: 732 950 960 The Italian restaurant Bricks offers scallops marinated in yuzu with chilli, as well as mussels cooked in white wine. You can enjoy them with a unique view of the Vltava River and Charles Bridge, right where the restaurant is located. |
| Restaurant La Guste de Mare Prague 3, Kostnické náměstí 3 Phone: 774 042 104 The Mediterranean restaurant La Guste De Mare in Žižkov serves fresh Irish oysters on ice. The menu also features fish, seafood, and traditional Italian and Mediterranean specialties. |
| Zdenek’s Oyster Bar Prague 1, Malá Štupartská 636/5 Phone: 725 946 250 The establishment in the center of Prague offers a variety of oyster types, including Gillardeau, Ostra Regal, David Herve Royale, Josephine, and more. You can also enjoy oysters prepared in the original fusion style of chef David Vlášek, such as with ponzu, ginger, and kumquat, or with black garlic and seaweed butter. In addition to oysters, there is a diverse selection of seafood, including sea snails, mussels, octopus, crabs, lobsters, and more. The cellar is well-stocked with wines and especially champagne, which pairs wonderfully with oysters. |
| Restaurant Kogo Prague 1, Havelská 27 Phone: 224 210 259 At the Italian restaurant Kogo Havelská, you can taste fresh Geay oysters from France or Oysrí n°3 from Ireland. In addition to oysters, the menu also features mussels in white wine. |
Saint Jacques mussels, also known as scallops, are highly favored shellfish due to their tender meat, which boasts an excellent flavor and can be prepared in various ways. They can be added to different pasta dishes, steamed, grilled, or eaten raw, such as in sushi. You can easily recognize the Saint Jacques scallop by its distinctive shape, which the Shell company chose as its logo.