Aeroplane Bar

Housed in a dingy disused Russian Tupelov, the Aeroplane Bar "Letka TU 104" is the most unusual bar in town. The aeroplane bar opened in the 1970s as a restaurant for the communist elite and their dining companions. Now it's a seedy late-night bar with an eclectic clientele.

The entrance is a steel staircase with a locked security cage at the top. Ring the doorbell and the barman will let you in. The original aircraft seats have been re-used, there's a small dance floor and a DJ's desk in the cockpit. The playlist consists of fairly ordinary '80s pop, interspersed with occasional gems. You can order your overpriced canned beer or watery soft drinks at the bar or wait for table service.

The aeroplane bar is open from 9pm to at least 6am, Monday through Saturday, and tends to get busier later at night, when people have had enough drinks to think the plane is a good idea. Water and soft drinks are 23Kc, shots of bourbon are 60Kc and the time travel back to the early 80’s is gratis. The bar is very poorly ventilated and fills up with cigarette smoke quickly.

The novelty of it being in a plane is really the only reason to visit, and with that in mind quite an enjoyable night can be had. It's better to take your own friends though, rather than arrive alone and hope to find people to chat with. Highly recommended for fans of the bar scene in Star Wars.

Bar Letka Tu-104
Legionářská 6
Olomouc

Kavárna Národní Dům

Kavárna Národní Dům is a newly opened cafe on the ground floor of one of Olomouc's most prominent 19th century buildings.

The new kavárna is elegantly furnished in dark wood, pale leather and large images of Olomouc's main historic attractions line one wall. Chandeliers hang low, the wait staff look sharp in their black and white uniforms and the place seems to be striving to give the impression of a grand Viennese coffee house.

The entry doors from the foyer lead into the main non-smoking area of the cafe; just seat yourself at any of the available booths or tables and the waiters will take your order. The large plate glass windows are good for people watching across one of Olomouc's busiest pedestrian corners and the first booth inside the door offers the best vantage point.

The main disappointments about this place are the apathetic attitudes of some of the wait staff and the fact that there is no physical division between the smoking and non-smoking sections. Most of the time that might be OK but if people are fagging up a storm in that corner it soon wafts out to stain the entire space.

All the usual coffees are available and the prices are around average for the centre of Olomouc; 31Kč for a large espresso without milk, 35Kč with. There always seem to be at least five or six different cakes on display in the cabinet and the Sacher Dort (39Kč) is quite good. On the breakfast menu are about 8 offerings ranging from 29Kč for the omelette to 49Kč (2 Euros) for ham and eggs, but it's only served until 9am (better order by 8.30 to be on the safe side)

The cafe is open from 7am to 7pm on weekdays and 8am to 8pm on Saturday and Sunday and the music is trashy hits and memories from the radio.

Kavárna Národní Dům
8. května 21
Tel: 685 224 806

Café Opera

Café Opera beside the Moravian Theatre is an old Olomouc institution that has been renovated and revived in recent years. It’s a popular place with locals for its main square location, summer time outdoor seating, good selection of ice-cream and the children’s playroom at the back.

The ice cream selection and quality is excellent, albeit more expensive than at other ice cream counters. Service, on the other hand, could certainly do with some improvement.

As well as the usual range of cakes and coffees the café serves pizza and pasta.

The main areas in the café are non-smoking but there is a smoking section on the left as you enter the room. You’ll have no trouble finding the children’s playroom, as the squeals and general kids noises will reveal all within your first few steps inside.

Capuccino is 37Kc, tiramisu 31Kc, ice cream 10Kc per scoop, large waffle cones 5Kc, pasta farfalle with mushrooms and chicken is 115Kc.

Open from 8.30-22.00 daily.