The Prague-based Občanská plovárna is mostly known to locals as a venue for various events; after all, I’ve always visited by invitation and have fond memories of some of those occasions (thanks, Veronika and Radek!).
A few months ago, there was a change in the operator here, who also started organizing a Sunday brunch. I received a personal invitation from Občanská plovárna, and since the weather promised the last summer day, choosing Sunday was an easy decision.
Sunday Brunch at Občanská plovárna
The brunch menu at Občanská olovárna changes every two months. You can enjoy various cold and warm starters, egg-based breakfast dishes, main courses, and mini desserts. Of course, this comes with unlimited consumption of selected types of soft drinks, wine, or beer. 😇
The spaces where brunch is served are set right next to the truly beautiful scenery of the Vltava River.
Hot and Cold Starters
Brunch includes unlimited consumption of both hot and cold starters. In August, when I visited the brunch, you could sample, for example, trout from Chabrybárna with roasted pepper and kefir, homemade croissant with Chantilly cream and strawberries, hummus with sun-dried tomatoes, shrimp cocktail, lemon mascarpone with green beans, and about a dozen other dishes. Cold starters are served in small bowls, and guests can choose according to their preferences.
Hot starters included excellent pinsa (a type of Italian pizza) and toasted pastrami. I appreciated that only a “smaller” amount of hot starters was displayed (they were kept warm from below) and they were gradually replenished with fresh pieces.
Among the starters, I would highlight especially the trout with kefir, pinsa, pastrami, and the excellent pork crackling spread with bread. As a traveler, I was also delighted to see one of the Spanish national dishes, gazpacho, served as a shot glass of juice as a welcome drink.
Breakfast Eggs
Hot and cold starters were complemented by breakfast egg dishes – eggs Benedict with bone-in ham from Amaso, poached eggs with avocado and croissant, or Turkish eggs. All of these dishes are made fresh to order (of course, they are included in the price). I had the eggs Benedict with an excellent hollandaise sauce and also tasted the Turkish eggs (and reminisced about my last visit to Turkey).
Main Courses
Main courses are served as part of the brunch starting after half past eleven, and here too, just like with the egg dishes, the staff first asks guests what they would like to try.
In August, it was a variation on lečo (originally a traditional Hungarian dish made from stewed peppers, tomatoes, onions, and usually eggs or sausage, which is a very popular and common meal in the Czech Republic during the summer), made up of a sauce from roasted peppers and tomatoes, grilled peppers, zucchini, paprika sausage, poached egg, pickled cherry tomatoes, onion crumble, and herbs; salmon with round green beans, edamame, fermented currants, green curry sauce, and currant leaf oil. These two dishes were complemented by sweet quark dumplings with whipped quark and marzipan, fresh and stewed apricots, and apricot juice.
I really appreciated the creative take on lečo with crispy grilled vegetables. I originally planned to skip the salmon, but the combination of slightly spicy curry sauce with fermented currants was absolutely perfect. The salmon was juicy with a crispy skin, and for me, this course was the highlight of the entire brunch.
Desserts
For dessert, guests can choose from several types of mini desserts, fruit (melon, apple, strawberries), or ice creams. Občanská plovárna does not make its own ice cream; guests have access to a freezer with ice creams from the Czech company Ňam ňam. Desserts can also be enjoyed without limits.
Desserts were probably the weakest part of the brunch for me, as I am not a big fan of various creamy desserts.
Beverages
No brunch would be complete without prosecco. At Občanská plovárna, unlimited consumption includes selected white and red wines and prosecco, as well as beer and Birell, coffee, water, or homemade lemonades. Alcoholic drinks are served and refilled by the staff.
If you wish, you can order whole bottles of wine, spirits, or Coca-Cola, Fanta, and Sprite for an extra charge. Guests are well informed in advance about which drinks require an extra payment.
What I really appreciate is the inclusion of a non-alcoholic version of “prosecco” in the brunch. I often miss an interesting non-alcoholic wine option elsewhere. 😢
Facilities and Equipment
Občanská plovárna is located right next to the Vltava, and it must be said that the view of the river and the adjacent outdoor areas is beautiful. Parents will appreciate the children’s play area, which is separated from the brunch space. You can seat your child in a Safety1st high chair.
Brunch Price
Sunday brunch at Občanská plovárna costs 1.190 CZK/48 EUR (children 6–12 years 590 CZK/24 EUR). The price includes unlimited consumption of hot and cold starters, breakfast eggs, main courses, unlimited desserts, and selected beverages.
Bon appétit!
For more information about Občanská plovárna, click on the map link:
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