A business lunch can be the start of a good working relationship. Brno and South Moravia have no shortage of good food: you’ll find elegant restaurants, honest Czech cooking, lively bars and wine cellars where formalities soon fall away. First, decide what impression you want to make.
When you want to introduce guests to Czechia: Czech cooking and a perfectly poured pint
For international guests, a Czech pub can be just as memorable as the historic city centre. Sometimes more so. Traditional food, beer served at its best and an atmosphere that needs little explanation. Just take a seat and order.
In the centre of Brno, try Stopkova Plzeňská Pivnice, Lokál U Caipla or Pivovarský dům Poupě. Each has its own atmosphere, but all bring together Czech food and a strong beer culture.
Pivní Palác U Vodičků adds a distinctly Brno twist. It occupies the former Czech Television building on Jakubské náměstí, combining a beer hall with local history, cultural references and the city’s characteristic sense of humour. For an even more local experience, head to Pivovarská Starobrno, right in the grounds of the Starobrno brewery.
Choose this option if you want to give guests a taste of Czechia without resorting to folkloric clichés. It’s authentic, relaxed and works well for larger groups. Bear in mind that popular pubs can get lively at peak times. If you need a quieter setting to talk business, ask for a quieter table or a private room when booking.
When you want to make an impression: fine dining for a business lunch
Sometimes you need a setting that reflects the importance of the meeting. Professional service, thoughtful cooking and enough quiet for conversation matter just as much as the menu itself.
Brno favourites include Pavillon Steak House, Borgo Agnese, Element Restaurant & Bar, Kohout NA VÍNĚ, Restaurant Passage, Valoria Restaurant, Soyshi and Atelier bar & bistro.
Choose to suit your guests and the flow of the meeting. Pavillon Steak House is a natural choice for lovers of meat and an elegant setting. Borgo Agnese is well suited to a longer, more celebratory occasion. Set in Brno’s House of Arts, Kohout NA VÍNĚ pairs modern cuisine with an impressive wine list. Valoria gives Czech and French cuisine a contemporary touch, while Soyshi offers a change of pace for guests who prefer Japanese flavours.
For an important business lunch, book ahead and check the current lunch menu. For a larger group, ask about arranging a shorter set menu in advance. Less time choosing dishes means more time for conversation.
When it’s time to loosen the tie: laid-back Brno
Not every meeting calls for a white tablecloth. After a full day of presentations, the best choice may be somewhere guests can relax and enjoy each other’s company.
Výčep Na stojáka on Jakubské náměstí captures Brno’s laid-back spirit. People often enjoy their beer outside, among locals and without any fuss. Harry Brewery is another good choice for an informal get-together over locally brewed beer, with a chance to discover Brno’s contemporary beer scene right in the city centre. Both make a great stop after the official programme, though for a confidential conversation over a contract, we’d suggest somewhere quieter.
Then head to one of the bars that have earned Brno its reputation for a vibrant cocktail scene. Bar, který neexistuje brings the energy of the city centre, while Super Panda Circus adds a playful twist to its drinks. Brno’s whisky bars offer a more intimate way to round off the evening.
This option works best for smaller groups and guests who want to experience the city as locals do. Brno is wonderfully compact: you can walk between several different venues in one evening and let the night unfold according to the mood.
When you want to showcase South Moravia: an evening in Mikulov
Why limit yourself to Brno?
If you have more time, take your guests to Mikulov. The drive takes around 50 minutes, and you’ll find restaurants, cafés, wineries, wine shops and wine cellars all close together. That makes it easy to put together a full programme without spending time travelling between venues.
For lunch, try Korek, which pairs a modern take on Moravian cuisine with wines from the Mikulov area, or the restaurant at Vinařství Radosti. Hotel restaurants are also a good option for business groups: CROP at Wellness Hotel Volarik, where group lunches can be arranged in advance, and Restaurace Ryzlink, which uses local ingredients and wines from its own winery.
After lunch, stop for coffee at LONT, right on the historic main square. This modern café and wine bar serves speciality coffee from its own roastery, making it an easy transition from an afternoon espresso to your first glass of wine.
Mikulov also offers a wide choice of wineries, wine shops and cellars where you can arrange a guided tasting, refreshments or a full evening programme in advance. If you have more time, continue to one of the wine villages beneath Pálava, such as Pavlov, Perná, Dolní Věstonice or Dolní Dunajovice. Here, a business programme can easily become an experience that introduces your guests to South Moravia through its landscapes, wine and people.
A little extra: a Michelin-starred experience
For something truly special to offer your business partners, head to Chateau de Frontiere in Hlohovec. It’s home to Restaurant ESSENS, currently the only restaurant in South Moravia to hold a Michelin star. Its tasting menu showcases regional and seasonal ingredients and can become the highlight of the whole stay.
You can build a complete programme for a business group around the food. The grounds also include a four-star hotel with wellness facilities, an outdoor pool and conference space for up to 60 guests. For a less formal lunch or dinner, there’s also Restaurant Chateau Petit, serving seasonal cuisine. You can combine a business meeting with accommodation, relaxation and an exceptional dinner, all without guests having to travel between venues.
Brno and South Moravia have a long-standing commitment to supporting the local food scene and showcasing places worth visiting. Explore the latest selection of top spots in the Gourmet Brno and Gourmet South Moravia guides.