Sep
Are you looking for a Prague food guide? Like you, I was looking for the best food in Prague and the first thing you need to know about Czech cuisine is that it’s meaty, filling, and satisfying. They like their potatoes and bread dumplings, and they also love a good beer. It might seem repetitive at first but there are many nuances to the food and here are some of my recommendations for Prague:
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Prague Food Tour
Looking for a good Prague food tour? I always think that food tours are the best way to discover a city, and the Prague Food Tour run by Leona and George are basically a walking tour combined with food experience. The tour lasts for 4 to 4.5 hours, taking us through the new and old towns of the city along with four unique food experiences.
First, we tried the traditional cuisine of the Czech Republic in the most decadent restaurant and learn all about the country’s food and history. I would never have thought to order this traditional soup that has a poached egg in it! Leona also explained to us how to eat each dish, which is insightful and helpful.
The second experience is at a local beer hall where we tried both beers the Czech way with various levels of foam and some traditional beer food.
The third experience is at a cafe that was taken over by the communist party and fortunately returned to the owner after for some traditional dessert. We tried some delicious coconut pastries along with a delicious custard soup with brioche bun.
Last but not least, as this is my favourite stop, we hopped to an up-and-coming neighbourhood for a modern take on traditional Czech cuisine. The sauce, the smoked carp, and the potato are the perfect combination!
Cost: 113 euros
Time: 4-4.5 hours, meeting time vary
Slivovitz Museum R Jelínek
Aside from beer, Czech also has a rich history in its liquor, and in particular, plume liquor – also known as Slivovitz. One of the most historic brands is R Jelínek, founded in Vizovice in 1894, but the distilling of the spirits dates back to 1585 in the region.
The family is Jewish, and they produced kosher liquor which was exported to the US in 1930s, which made the brand famous. The family suffered during WWII and the holocaust, and was later taken over by the communist government before regaining the access and control to the company after the 1989 velvet revolution.
You can visit their museum in Prague right under the Prague Castle Hill in the historic house that was transformed into a restaurant museum. There’s even a private top floor where you can stay and enjoy the beautifully refurbished building and overlook the nearby square.
They have a tea trolley where you can enjoy their signature liquors as well! And the bathroom has a view of the Prague Castle.
The museum has a great exhibit with interactive elements, with 4 rooms that take you through the history of the brand, the making of a slivovitz, and even a 5-D experience of what it’s like to be a plume!
It is honestly one of the most well-designed and well-built exhibitions I have been to – I highly recommend it just for the insight to Czech Republic’s recent history itself.
And depending on your ticket type, you get a tasting flight with tapas at the end!
The Traditional Tour gets you their 3 most popular liquor with tapas, and the Premium Tour 4 kosher spirits with tapas and a small souvenir.
The museum also has a lovely restaurant and courtyard where they serve traditional Czech cuisine as well as their drinks, so you can try them without doing the museum experience too.
Their plume lemonade is absolutely delicious and refreshing after exploring the Prague Castle district!
Note: you can get a discount on the tickets with Prague Visitors Pass. You can also book online here.
Address
More information on their website
What to eat in Prague
Wondering what to order in Prague? To learn what you’d like most you should do the food tour above. Otherwise, here are some of the common things to get:
Trdelnik (Chimney Cake)
Traditionally a Transylvania snack, this tasty spiced roll is a favourite snack in the city. Roasted on a spit before being dredged through cinnamon and nuts, these tasty treats will keep your energy up as you roam through the City. They are typically 60 kruna.
Note: they are originally from Hungary so this technically isn’t the ‘authentic’ place to get it
Beer
Czech Republic is famous for its beer, you can pretty much get it in every restaurant. However, Strahov Monastery has their own Brewery with the special brown ale called Norbert and a lighter lager. I would have tried some – but the weather was far too cold, and their restaurant looked pricey.
Otherwise, search beer hall and go to one near you!
Kofola
During the communist era, there was no import of Coca Cola so Czech ended up with their own version: Kofola. It has a more herbal taste with liquorice, and I do enjoy drinking it instead of Cola when I was there! Most restaurants offer it along with the regular cola, some even on draft!
Svarak (Hot wine)
Heading to Prague in December I was under-prepared for the chilliness. But I didn’t stay frozen for too long, for I was saved by the Svarak, the traditional mulled wine in Czech. A cup usually costs about 50 koruna for 200ml, which occasionally can be cheaper than Hot Chocolate.
Beef goulash
It is one of the famous traditional dishes, which can be served as a soup or with potato pancake (which is absolutely divine) or dumplings (which are not what you expected).
Meat
Meat is the main focal point of Czech cuisine and you can often find mixed grills or mixed meat dish offered at restaurants. One of the ones I’ve tried was served with potato pancakes, dumplings with sausage, gammon and pork steak accompanied by onion. If you’re a meat lover, you’re going to love Czech food.
Usually, duck and beef are the two most common meat to get!
Best restaurants to eat in Prague
U Vahy Hostinec
If you want to go off the beaten path and dine at a local inn, then U Vahy is THE spot. The inn has been around for over 300 years, and the family that currently runs it took over in the 1900s!
It’s located near Andel station and a short ride on Metro from the city center. The inn combines a burgher inn – aka an upper middle class tavern – with First Republic (the golden era between 1918 – 1938) style, and you can try cuisine popular in the early 1900s for the upper class as well as traditional Czech fare.
We were the only tourists there for dinner the night, and everyone there was enjoying dinner or beers with their friends. The beer they serve comes from the Staropramen Brewery right behind them, and they are one of the only few that still have a beer tap room underground with a space where beer barrels are lowered down and pipes that take the beer up to the tap!
They have a selection of low alcoholic (and regular strength) beer as well as their own gin and herbal liquor! But the most interesting of all is that they have a flight of 7 Czech liquor panáky (shot). They are all local herbal liquors:
- Kontušovka: A historic, intensely aromatic herbal liqueur dominated by anise, fennel, and coriander. It was highly popular across Central Europe during the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the First Republic.
- Čert: Literally translating to “The Devil,” this is a classic, fiery Czech tavern blend consisting of sweet sour cherry liqueur mixed with local dark rum (Tuzemák).
- Ořechovka: A very traditional, bittersweet walnut liqueur made from macerating green, unripened walnuts alongside spices like cinnamon and cloves.
- Jeřabinka: A highly unique and rare fruit spirit made from distilled rowan berries (mountain ash), offering a sharp, slightly tart, and earthy flavor profile.
- Višňovka: A deeply flavorful, smooth, and traditionally sweet sour cherry liqueur.
- Vanilková: A vintage-style, smooth, and fragrant vanilla liqueur favored in early 20th-century Prague cafes.
- Bylinná / Absinth / Borovička: The final slot is traditionally reserved for a rotating Czech classic, such as a local herbal bitter, a juniper-based Borovička, or a traditional Bohemian-style Absinth.
But don’t worry, they don’t expect you to drink everything in one go! You have the entire mealtime (or however long you’d like to stay) to finish it! And if you do, you get a certificate!
The shot platter is part of their Adventurous Trip into the History of Czech Cuisine, which is catered for group booking of 12-15 people for costs 1,950 CZK per person (or approximately €78 EUR).
This includes a 5 course meal with early 1900s favourite like fried grundle, potato pancake, garlic snails, beef tartare, and roasted pork knuckles. But you can order the most of them except for the garlic snail a la carte.
They also have 2 special spaces for events or big gatherings, one underground and one on the second floor.
*more information and booking on their website!
Address: Nádražní 88, 150 00 Praha 5-Smíchov, Czechia
Nearest station: Anděl (Metro line B)
Opening times: Weds – Fri 15:00 – 23:00; Sat 13:00 – 22:00; Tues 15:00 – 22:00
U Špirků
If you are looking for a traditional Czech place near the old town square, then look no further than U Špirků!
The beautiful restaurant is tucked away in an alley just a minute or two away from the astronomical clock, with weekday lunch offers and traditional Czech dishes.
We saw plenty of locals eating here as well as some tourists, and was constantly in awe of their decor!
Opening times: Mon – Fri 11:00 – 22:00; Sat – Sun 12:00 – 22:00
U Tri Jelinku
A restaurant in a historic shop house just below the castle, it’s a popular eatery with a few outdoor seatings. Although constantly busy, the staff are friendly and they have a comprehensive menu of Czech cuisine. I tried the duck confit while my friend had a pate starter. The portions were big and it took me a while to finish!
They also have pretty good free WiFi!
Address: Nerudova 206/4, 118 00 Malá Strana, Czechia
Opening times: 10:00 – 23:00
Hotel U Krize
Situated next to Petrin Hill, and across the bridge from the National Theater, this surprisingly cheap restaurant is located inside a hotel. Despite the good food, I wouldn’t vouch for their dessert, and one needs to be patient for the service.
Address: Újezd 423/20, 118 00 Praha-Malá Strana
Tkalcovsky dvur
A traditionally decorated tavern, this restaurant has proved itself to me that it is not a fancifully decorated tourist trap. Close to Charles Bridge, it is an ideal lunch place, as they have a special menu for tourists regarding their traditional dish that won’t break your bank.
Address: U lužického semináře 104/28, 118 00 Praha
Opening hours: Mon – Sun 11:00 – 24:00
Cafe Louvre
Cafe Louvre is one of the best rated place to dine in town. Although do note that its restaurant and cafe are on two different side, so you have to let the waiters know which side you want to dine at.
We had food at their restaurant which was less busy than the cafe. The steak tartare starter was great, but my veal was a bit dry and overcooked. Interestingly, one of their signature is a club sandwich!
If you’re after coffee, hot drinks, and pastries, you’d have to dine at the cafe.
Address: Národní 22, 110 00 Nové Město, Czechia
Opening times: Mon – Fri 8:00 – 23:30; Sat – Sun 9:00 – 23:30
Here are a few that were recommended to me but I hadn’t managed to try:
- Cukrar Skala – a cafe that’s suggested with Mysak Cafe
- Bila Krava – it is said to be the best place for steak in town and completely booked for the night when I tried to go
Prague Cafes and Bakeries
Cafe Mysak
Cafe Mysak is one of the oldest and most beloved cafe in Prague. Its decoration hasn’t changed since the early 20th century, taking you right back to the Art Nouveau era. They have both breakfast pastries and delicate sweets, with surprisingly little dine-in crowd.
I went there for breakfast and they have a range of pate-choux. I didn’t see the croissants until later, otherwise, they would have been my choice!
Address: 710/31, Vodičkova, Nové Město, 110 00 Praha, Czechia
Opening times: Mon – Fri 8:00 – 19:00; Sat – Sun 9:00 – 19:00
NK Bakery & Bistro
The chic bakery is located on the Narodni Street near the Opera with a spacious interior and a few outdoor seating where you can people watch. There’s also a wide selection of pastries and hot breakfast option and coffee, of course.
We absolutely loved their Czech breakfast – the eggs and vienna sausage were absolutely delicious. And the chocolate croissant and coffee were very decent as well.
They open at 7am on weekdays so perfect for those who are jetlagged!
Opening times: Mon – Fri 7:00 – 22:00; Sat 7:30 – 22:00; Sun 8:00 – 22:00
Café Platýz
We stumbled across Café Platýz when we were walking around the neighbourhood. It’s tucked away inside a courtyard and we ended up eating breakfast there on our last day. The decor reminds me of the Art Nouveau period and you can also sit in the courtyard which was really nice.
The breakfast and coffee were decent, and I wish we had time to try their day time menu as well!
Opening times: Mon – Fri 8:00 – 23:00; Sat 9:00 – 23:00; Sun 9:00 – 22:00
Bakeshop
The small bakery and breakfast spot is run by a Czech-Australian couple who are friendly and helpful. They have milk alternatives, bagels, and cooked breakfast on offer, as well as WiFi.
It’s a great choice if you headed over the visit the castle or Charles Bridge early and needed a breakfast spot!
Address: U Lužického semináře 99, 118 00 Malá Strana, Czechia
Opening times: Fri – Sun 9:00 – 18:00
Pernikovy Panacek
This is technically neither a cafe nor a proper bakery, but it’d be a shame not to mention this cute gingerbread cookies place. It’s near the Bakeshop on the west side of the river with many different gingerbread cookie design. Whether it’s for photos, souvenir, or just a treat, it’s one of the best places to get them.
Address: Malá Strana, 118 00 Prague 1, Czechia
Opening times: 10:00 – 19:00
