There are many ways to explore Prague: from the riverbank, from the deck of a boat, from one of the cafés in the historic centre, or while strolling through the streets of the Old Town. And then there’s the view from above. This is precisely the concept behind the new Martini Terrazza, which has taken up residence for the summer season on the roof of Fly Vista at the Máj Národní department store.
Just take a look around and the reason why the Martini brand chose Prague for its first concept of this kind in Central Europe becomes quite clear. In a single view, you can take in the Vltava, Petřín Hill, Prague Castle, and the rooftops of the historic centre. The city lies beneath you, and all that remains is to decide what to order.
The answer, of course, is a Martini.
Terrazza is built around the Italian ritual of the aperitif - that moment before dinner when there’s no rush: you order a drink, something small to nibble on, and, above all, spend time with people you feel comfortable with. At Fly Vista, this traditional Italian custom takes on a distinctly Prague backdrop. Instead of an Italian city, you have the centre of Prague spread out below you, and instead of streets slowly coming to life in the evening, you watch the city from several storeys above.
The atmosphere changes naturally with the time of day. In the afternoon, the terrace is ideal for a midday break; in the evening, the city panorama takes centre stage. As Prague gradually takes on its evening hues and the first lights come on in the streets, the concept of a rooftop aperitif makes even more sense.
What to order at Martini Terrazza?
The drinks menu naturally revolves around the brand that gave the whole terrace its name. Martini has a long history with aperitif culture - the brand was founded in 1863 in Turin, and its vermouths gradually became one of the symbols of the Italian way of enjoying the early evening.
At the Prague Terrazza, this tradition is reimagined in contemporary cocktail form. Among the signature drinks you’ll find the Martini Bianco Spritz, which plays on the fresh and slightly bitter side of the aperitif, the Martini Fiero & Tonic, and the Americano. Each offers a slightly different way to enjoy Martini, but they all have one thing in common: they’re at their best when you’ve got time to take it easy.
The spritz variations are particularly well suited to summer gatherings, while the Americano offers a slightly bolder, more classic approach. And if alcohol isn’t your cup of tea, non-alcoholic Martini Spritzes are also available.
Drinks go hand in hand with food. That’s why Martini Terrazza offers a carefully selected menu designed to complement the aperitivo and enhance its social atmosphere. This isn’t about a complicated gastronomic experience that would compete with the view. The food is meant to be part of the whole experience - something you order to go with your drink and that fits naturally into a long summer evening.
The Prague skyline as part of the experience
At Martini Terrazza, however, it’s ultimately just as difficult to separate the drink from what’s happening behind it. Prague isn’t just a backdrop here, but one of the main components of the whole concept.
Its location on the roof of the Máj Národní building allows you to view the city from an unusual angle. The historic centre suddenly takes on a different feel; Petřín rises in the distance, and the Vltava forms the natural axis of the entire view. And because the terrace is right in the city centre, once the evening is over, you simply walk back down to the streets and, within a few minutes, you’re back in the thick of the city’s hustle and bustle. Perhaps it’s the contrast between the bustling Národní Street below and the more leisurely pace of an aperitif upstairs that makes the whole concept so fascinating. You remain in the centre of Prague, yet step away from it for a moment.
Martini Terrazza will be open throughout the summer season and, in addition to cocktails and dining, will also offer themed evenings, a music programme, and other events inspired by Italian aperitif culture. Prague thus joins the ranks of European cities where MARTINI® is presenting its terrace concept.
And if, according to Italian tradition, an aperitivo is meant above all to be a moment when you pause before the evening begins, Martini Terrazza offers a compelling reason to do just that. Order a Martini, sink back into your armchair, let the day slowly fade away before your eyes, and watch as Prague lights up beneath you.
