A Taste of the Philippines in the Heart of Europe

Pinoys opens a new branch and bistro in Prague’s historic Wenceslas Square

By Andy Peñafuerte III

Pinoys Bistro features Filipino merienda favorites such as empanada, banana cue, and ube biko

The Philippine diaspora in the Czech Republic is celebrating the opening of Pinoys’ new bistro, just steps away from the historic Václavské Náměstí or Wenceslas Square. What began as a modest brick-and-mortar store has now become a touchstone for the Filipino community in the Czech Republic, offering products and familiar tastes that remind them of home, thousands of kilometers away.

Founded by the couple Crisjel Dablo and Daniel Kuklovský, Pinoys features Filipino and Asian staples, and its newest branch at Štěpánská 626/63, right beside Václavské Náměstí, is both a symbol of success and a quiet affirmation of belonging. “Pinoys is not just a shop but a way of keeping our culture alive and sharing it with others,” Crisjel shared during the store’s inauguration on November 1, 2025. “It’s about bringing Filipino flavor to every table.”

Filipino mark in the Prague business and culinary scene

In 2017, Pinoys opened as a wine shop in a small space on Heydukova Street, about five kilometers from the Prague Old Town center. In the years since, Pinoys became a small grocery. During the coronavirus pandemic, Pinoys continued delivering supplies and food products, becoming one of the city’s local lifelines for many residents.

Pinoys Store and Bistro staff Dario Lleva and Willie Tua and Ruel Fajardo

Beyond its business aspects, Pinoys has also served as a place to reconnect with food, language, and community. The Kuklovskýs say the new Václavské Náměstí branch continues this mission but with a broader vision with its bistro run by Filipino chef Dario Lleva. The expansive menu features iconic Filipino dishes such as adobo and kare-kare, as well as merienda items like ube biko and banana cue.

“We based the menu on the recipes in festive Filipino celebrations,” Lleva adds. “Czechs also like the dishes, especially kare-kare, because of its peanut butter sauce. The sour, salty, and sweet flavors of adobo are new to the Czech palate, too.”

Lleva also shares that the Pinoys bistro will have special weekend menus, featuring traditional Filipino food that will also cater to the local diet and preferences. Meanwhile, Dablo says the bistro will be “a place where Filipinos and friends alike can gather, eat, and celebrate our culture together.”

In time for the bistro’s launch, Pinoys also unveiled its redesigned logo, which now features the renowned Philippine tarsier. Their journey mirrors the larger story of the growing Filipino diaspora in Central Europe. Philippine Ambassador to the Czech Republic Eduardo Martin Meñez shared that over 12,000 Filipinos now live and work across the country, many in the service and manufacturing industries.

“I’m happy to have inaugurated the new branch of Pinoys, and I’m even more pleased that they serves Filipino food,” Ambassador Meñez said. “We have not had a Filipino restaurant in the Czech Republic for a long time, and this is a very welcome addition for our growing Filipino community.”

Ambassador Meñez also expressed his hopes that the Pinoys bistro could “make its own mark in the Prague culinary scene”, referencing the recent recognition of Filipino eateries back home by the Michelin Guide.

“There are 108 Filipino restaurants considered in the prestigious list. And maybe, this Pinoys bistro can be included in a future Michelin ranking here in Prague! It’s not about the simplicity of the venue or its surroundings but about the quality of Filipino food and the sincerity of preparation,” Ambassador Meñez said.

A community in motion

Through its online platform, the Pinoys brand extends beyond borders, delivering Filipino and Asian goods to households across the Czech Republic and neighboring countries, including Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, and more. Yet, the physical store remains the heart of the experience.

“People don’t just come here to buy soy sauce or snacks,” Kuklovský explains. “They come to talk, to laugh, to find a sense of home.”

Pinoys’ new location in Prague’s bustling city center represents not just commercial growth but visibility, showing that Filipino culture and cuisine are becoming recognized as part of the vibrant multicultural landscape in the Czech capital.

Image (left to right): Pinoys founders Crisjel Dablo and Daniel Kuklovsky; Nov 1 Pinoys Store and Bistro Inauguration

Inside the new space, the design is bright and welcoming, with Filipino details that balance tradition and modernity. Its lights are adorned with woven baskets, and the Baguio-made broom, or walis, is part of the wall display while on sale!

On opening day, laughter filled the shop as Filipinos from across the Czech Republic gathered. Tagalog and Bisaya words mingled with Czech phrases and English greetings from patrons. First-time buyers also sampled Filipino treats.

The Kuklovskýs say the new store will satisfy the cravings of Filipino and Czech communities through special pop-up menus and product sales. “We started as a small dream to bring Filipino flavor to every table,” Dablo said. “Now it’s about keeping that flavor alive in the heart of Europe.”