A little piece of Naples in central Prague: The Aperitiv Bar offers traditional Italian pastries and coffee
In Italy, it’s customary to stop by a bar on the way to work, down an espresso, grab a sweet treat, and continue on your way. That’s exactly what you’ll now be able to experience on the ground floor below Pizza Nuova on Náměstí Republiky, where an authentic Italian aperitif bar has opened.
In a place that used to smell of bread, today you can enjoy espresso, maritozzo, and spritz. From the very beginning, the concept of the original Pane Nuovo bakery was based on honest baking and naturally combined Italian tradition with Czech classics. Then at Ambiente , the idea took shape to move the entire space even closer to authentic Italy.
“We wanted to move away from classic Czech cuisine, since other Ambiente restaurants focus on that. Instead, we wanted to offer customers at Náměstí Republiky an experience just like in Italy—visually, too,” explains Marek Landsinger, general manager of Pizza Nuova and the Aperitiv Bar. And so, the former bakery with a takeout counter became a place that bustles from early morning until evening.
Desserts, drinks, and the “waiting area”
The sweets are handled by pastry chef Maruška Vrbová. To fully prepare for the role, she underwent intensive training with renowned Italian baker Daniel Combi. And the result? Every morning, she bakes bombolone (filled Italian doughnuts), maritozzo (sweet buns generously filled with whipped cream), and other delicacies. To go with them, the staff will prepare Caffé Milani coffee, an Italian classic with a pleasant hint of chocolate.
You can stop by at any time of day and satisfy your hunger with savoury sandwiches with mortadella, Parma ham, and mozzarella, or you can order anything from the restaurant’s menu.
As the name suggests, the aperitivo plays a key role here. “We want to offer people a pleasant place where they can come for a drink before lunch or dinner. At the same time, the bar serves as a stylish ‘waiting area’ for a table when the restaurant upstairs is full,” adds the manager.
During the summer, guests can enjoy outdoor seating and in the winter, the action moves to an intimate indoor space with eight seats and its own original drink smenu.
Marble, wood, and brass
The space itself has also undergone a dramatic transformation, designed by the 20-20 ARCHITEKTI studio, which has previously collaborated with Ambiente on the interiors of Lokál. The inspiration came from traditional bars in Naples. As a result, the space is dominated by wood, marble, and brass, which lend the space a touch of authenticity. This classic Italian café aesthetic is thoughtfully combined with modern elements, such as striking backlighting and LEDs.
Where has the Pane Nuovo bread gone?
If you’re used to going downstairs for wheat-rye sourdough bread or focaccia, we have good news for you—they’re still on the menu. If you want to buy Pane Nuovo bread to take home, just head up the stairs to the Pizza Nuova restaurant, where they’ll be happy to sell it to you.
A little piece of Italy and Ambiente to take home
The bar also serves as a small pantry where you can stock up on supplies to take home. You can pick up jars of sauces from Pizza Nuova, such as ragù Bolognese, polpette al pomodoro, or amatriciana. There are also coffee beans, wines, house-made grappa, and truffle oil. The shelves also feature selected delicacies from Myšák and Eska.
Aperitiv Bar opening hours
Mon–Fri: 8:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Weekends: 11:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
