Alma in Prague | A Multi-Zoned Playground for Culinary Minds

My alcoholiday begins in Prague, where Gothic spires meet Art Nouveau elegance and centuries of history swirl in the air like an aromatic mist. Wandering the cobbled alleys of Nové Město, I made my way to Alma—a place where food, wine, and cocktails come together in a way that feels rooted in Czech tradition yet daringly modern. And no, I didn’t just stumble upon Alma. I booked in advance. Everyone in the food & beverage industry is talking about this venue, so of course I had to experience it for myself.

If you’re into natural wines, inventive drinks, and a setting that evolves as the night unfolds, Alma is the place to be. Start the morning with coffee, move to day-drinking at the glowing bar, indulge in small plates, and—if you’re lucky—end up dancing in the cellar until sunrise. Alma isn’t one space but many, stitched together like a patchwork of creativity. It feels less like a venue and more like an ecosystem:

• A café and wine shop at the entrance—casual, friendly, welcoming.
• A backyard wine bar, unpretentious and intimate, perfect for slow sipping.
• A restored Baroque cellar, part club, part event space, alive with DJs and workshops.
• The restaurant itself, where education, innovation, and indulgence meet at the table.

A Dinner That Feels Like Discovery

At Alma, dinner is a blend of playfulness and precision. The kitchen embraces seasonality, nose-to-tail cooking, and a zero-waste philosophy, all while keeping the spotlight firmly on flavour.

I began with grilled Padrón peppers glazed with vegetables, smoked butter, sour cream, chive oil, and Sichuan pepper. Then came marinated watermelon with hazelnut cream, chili, herbs, and coriander oil—a surprising balance of freshness and richness. My meal concluded with a whole grilled trout, served with yuzu kosho beurre blanc, herb relish, grilled peas, and cucumber–dill dressing. Each dish was paired with one of their thoughtfully curated natural wines.

Each plate showcased the harmonious blend of flavours that define modern Czech cuisine—creative, confident, and captivating without unnecessary complexity.

At the Bar – Where Culture Pours from the Tap

For me, though, the soul of Alma is the bar. A sleek silver counter reflects the clarity of the drinks, while highballs flow from taps—crafted in small, thoughtful batches. It’s elegant, understated, and deeply connected to the kitchen’s philosophy: foraging, fermenting, and sourcing with care.

The cocktail menu unfolds in four journeys, each like an atlas of flavour:

• Off the Beaten Path – where foraged botanicals and meadow herbs become liquid expressions of the Czech landscape. I savoured the Meadowsweet Mojito—a reimagining of the classic, bright with citrus and a whisper of floral bitterness.
• Spirit of the Generations Past – old recipes and forgotten preservation techniques resurrected with flair. Here I tried the Rumble, a cocktail with fruity tartness and rustic warmth, like autumn preserved in jars. The No Espresso Martini offered a velvety, cheeky twist on an overplayed classic.
• Mindful Sourcing – showcasing Czech terroir with farmers, foragers, and artisans as flavour comrades. Patience, please was my pick: a strong, woody, layered drink that tasted like a fruity forest distilled into a glass.
• Zero Gravity – an alcohol-free realm where ferments, syrups, and house-made distillates take centre stage. I paused with a refreshing non-alcoholic beer, expertly recommended by the bartender, which fit seamlessly into the flow of the evening.

A Surprise Called Debbie Don’t

Just when I thought the night had given me all it could, the bartender placed a drink in front of me. A gift—unsolicited, thoughtful. He had overheard my love for agave spirits and surprised me with the Debbie Don’t: a modern classic born at Dutch Kills in New York, named after the ghost said to haunt the bar’s bathroom.

In the glass: reposado tequila, Averna amaro, lemon juice, and maple syrup. A perfect balance of herbal intrigue, citrus sharpness, and maple softness.

It wasn’t on my agenda, not even on the menu—but it became one of the standout moment of the evening. This is what I love about my adventures: those genuine, unexpected interactions where a drink sparks a conversation, and that conversation lingers long after the glass is empty.

Alma — A Gastronomic Universe with a Soul

From morning coffee to natural wines, from inventive plates to cocktails that tell stories, Alma is more than a restaurant or bar. It is a gastronomic universe where food, drink, and people meet in dialogue.

The name Alma means “soul” in several languages. And yes—this place has one. You feel it in the food, in the glass, in the cellar beats, and in the quiet surprise of a bartender who hands you a Debbie Don’t simply because he knows you love agave. I left Alma with a curious palate, a happy face, and the sense that Prague had whispered one of its best-kept secrets into my glass. Here’s to Alma, to Prague, and to the next Barstalker’s adventure.