Saffa Maso Bistro and Bar in Prague Gets a New Home

Nicolaas Uys has been bringing the authentic taste of South Africa to the Czech Republic for several years with his bistro Saffa Maso. In his small shop in Palmovka, he has so far treated his guests to specialities from his homeland. Now he is taking the next step and opening his new bistro and bar in Florenc.

A new meeting place for the South African community is emerging in Prague – and for anyone interested in African cuisine and culture: in Florenc, former professional rugby player Nicolaas Uys will open his new bistro and bar on Friday. Starting out as an online shop with homemade biltong and later expanding to a small bistro, a new chapter in the success story of Saffa Maso is now beginning.

The official opening is planned for Friday, 13 March. To mark the start, the team will operate with extended opening hours: Friday from 9 am to 10 pm, and Saturday 10 am to 10 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm. The bistro will be open seven days a week for its guests. The current Saffa Maso shop in Palmovka will be closed from Monday, 9 March, to complete the move and final preparations.

Foto: Saffa Maso

Florenc as the new location – between commuters and a meeting point for expats

The new bistro is located in Florenc, not far from the bus station. The location has been chosen deliberately: Uys expects passing trade, commuters and travellers who want to grab something quickly – but also guests who want to watch live sports or spend an evening or lunch with friends from home.

The bistro describes itself as a “Home Away From Home” – a place not only for South Africans, but also for other African communities as well as Czechs and expats from other countries.

Foto: Saffa Maso

The venue offers seating for around 25 people. In addition to good food and drinks, there will also be live sports on TV: not only rugby, but also football or cricket. A first highlight during the opening weekend will be three matches in the Six Nations on 14 March – a must for every rugby fan.

Cuisine with a South African signature

Culinarily, the bistro aims to offer an alternative to typical pub and burger concepts. The menu will mainly feature classic South African dishes – including maize meal and desserts such as milk tart and malva pudding.

Meat will play a central role on the Saffa Maso menu: fresh cut biltong, boerewors (beef sausage), samoosas and sandwiches, including pastrami. Nachos are also planned – partly with a biltong variation. The menu is intended to remain flexible and will be adapted based on feedback.

According to Uys, a “showroom” in the shop window will be a visual highlight: his homemade biltong will hang there visibly as a signature feature of the venue. Unlike jerky, the meat is dried for seven days using only air and wind, without heat.

Foto: Saffo Maso | Michal Adamec

The drinks menu will include wine and sparkling wine, South African beers and cider (in bottles), as well as cocktails – including frozen margaritas or signature South African Amarula drinks. Beer lovers can also look forward to freshly tapped Svijany: the speciality beer Svijany 450.

With the new location in Florenc, a new chapter begins for Saffa Maso. Nicolaas Uys is looking forward to seeing many of his regular customers again – and at the same time welcoming new visitors to the bistro.

Saffa Maso Bistro and Bar
Křižíkova 255/7, 186 00 Karlín
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