In recent decades, Prague’s restaurant scene has flourished, consisting of a mix of innovative restaurants, juxtaposed with those that serve traditional dishes with a modern twist. With so much to visit, it’s so easy to get sidetracked by touristy spots in Prague claiming to serve local food. Want to know where to start? Keep reading to find out where to eat like a local in Prague.
Photo courtesy of Café Savoy
Breakfast & Coffee
Serving up breakfast all day long, the Malá Strana’s neighbourhood’s Café Savoy is the perfect Sunday brunch spot. Housed in a restored 19th century cafe, its decor is just as impressive as its fare. With a variety of different combos, like the Continental or the English Breakfast, I went with the classic Savoy Breakfast (pictured), which comes with Prague ham, organic Emmental cheese, a soft boiled egg, toast, house bread, butter, homemade jam, a slice of nut marble cake, and a hot chocolate. I also tried their latte and it was perfect. If you have time, come back for dinner – their entire menu looks delicious.
Photo courtesy of Kavárna Místo
Tip: After brunch, stay in the Malá Strana neighbourhood and shop local: Head to ARTĚL Design Store for handmade glassware and knick knacks that make great gifts. The Chemistry Design Store, which doubles as a gallery that sells art crafted from Czech artists, is where I bought plenty of souvenirs. Similar to the Parisian counterpart, Shakespeare and Sons Bookstore and Cafe makes for a welcome downtime activity, all while enjoying a cup of coffee. And if you’re hungry for dessert, along with the obligatory Trdelnik, make a stop at Bake Shop near the Franz Kafka museum to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Cafe culture is budding in Prague. With close attention paid to how the coffee is made, which machine is used, and the kind of atmosphere it is enjoyed in, EMA Espresso Bar, Kavárna Místo, and Můj šálek kávy excel in the craft. Along with using Czech roasters, they also make breakfast and sell a variety of sweets.
Photo courtesy of Naše Maso
Lunch
If you make it to Naše Maso, you’re either a local or you’ve done your research and uncovered Prague’s ultimate foodie gem. Always bustling, navigating this tiny space is part of the fun. Make your way to the line nestled between patrons enjoying their meal in close quarters and order your food at this butcher’s counter while admiring the meat behind the glass display. Then, wait for your number to be called – hopefully, you’ll snag one of their small tables – and enjoy! Known for having the best beef tartare in the city (it rivals those I’ve had in Paris), their special of the day when I visited was roast beef served with mustard, pickles, and bread – I ordered both and savoured each until the very last bite. As I mentioned, they’re primarily a butcher shop so you can take your food to go or home to cook.
Photo courtesy of Sisters Bistro
Right across from Naše Maso, Sisters Bistro dishes up typical Czech open-faced sandwiches, perfect for a quick lunch on the go. Try their beetroot & goat cheese or Prague ham sandwich topped with potato salad, gherkins, and a slice of hard boiled egg.
Tip: Nearby Lokál, which is also a part of the Ambiente restaurant group along with many eateries on this list, is a traditional brewery pub with a contemporary spin. With a late night menu made up of homemade, quintessential Czech dishes served alongside pints of beer that come straight from their visible tanks, you’ll definitely experience local Prague here.
Photo courtesy of Eska
Dinner
On my first night in Prague, my partner and I were very hungry, so we opted for Eska’s five-courses tasting menu (at around €25). The catch? The chef chooses each one of your dishes (you can, of course, order your own meal à la carte). I love a good food adventure, so clearly, I obliged. Specializing in terroir cuisine that calls for antiquated cooking techniques, we began our five-course meal with a smoked beef tartare accompanied by their in-house bakery’s grilled bread. This was followed by poultry hearts – which I was apprehensive to try for the first time – in a delicious onion, wine, honey, and thyme sauce. I ended up liking this one a lot! Next was the star of the night (pictured), creamy fermented red wheat topped with mushrooms and an egg. Fourth, was a smoked fish, dried egg yolk, and kefir soup with ash-roasted potatoes inside. This typical dish was very rich and perfect on a cold autumn night. By the fifth course, I was full, but the farm chicken with Jerusalem artichokes, black trumpet mushrooms, and kale was too good not to finish, setting off an impending food coma. Eska is that good.
Čestr, which translates to a type of Czech cattle, is a must for meat lovers. Serving in-house matured beef, their homegrown cuisine is never a miss – whether you’re craving a T-bone, prime rib, or charcoal-grilled steak. Want to enjoy Čestr at home? You can purchase their aged beef here as well.
Photo courtesy of Mistral Café
Nestled on a small street located just a stone’s throw from the Old Town, Mistral Café boasts typical Czech food in a lit, modern setting, which is heavily contrasted with the usual, dark pubs that serve traditional grub. On our visit, we opted for one of the country’s most iconic dishes called Svíčková. Traditionally eaten at Czech weddings, Svíčková is basically beef sirloin doused in a creamy vegetable sauce with a side of cranberries and homemade dumplings. It was my first time eating a dish like this and what stood out was how all of its unlikely ingredients blended effortlessly.
Tip: Several other spots I’m bummed that I didn’t get the chance to try are: Sansho, a “whole animal” restaurant with mouth-watering pork belly that combines local and Asian fare, along with their sister restaurant, Maso a Kobliha (all about meat). Another is La Dégustation, a fine dining experience with a €90 minimum price tag, which boasts refined Czech cuisine in a tasting menu format. If you’ve tried these places, let me know in the comments – I’d love to know what you thought!
What’s your favourite traditional dish or restaurant where you can eat like a local in Prague? Let me know in the comments below!
Prague is on my list of places to go and see, and I love this overview of what to eat! Everything looks so good! Thanks for sharing this! 🙂
Thanks for reading! Hope you get to visit soon 🙂
I definitely ate like a tourist every time I was there because this looks divine and so authentic!
Just another reason to go back! 🙂
Definitely trying the places you recommended here. Most interested in the list from Breakfast and Coffee. After that will try the Bake Shop. Thanks for the share! xx
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Thanks for reading! Let me know if you do sample any of them 🙂
We haven’t visited it yet, but as travel bloggers of course it is on our travel list 🙂
We think that you have suggested cool tips, we will follow it. Sansho sounds a great local.
Thanks! Prague was also on my travel bucket list for so long, I was so happy to finally visit 🙂
Omg! They all look yummy! Now I need a vacay..
Haha, thanks 🙂
OMG I so want to go to Prague! I feel that all of my friends in France went there but because I live on the other side of the globe I couldn’t go.
When I do I will definitely check out these places! It looks soooo good
Same here! I also only made it to Prague once I moved to Paris – the plane ride was the same length of time as my former commute to work in Canada :O
I have been wanting to visit Prague for the longest time now. Thank you for the tip !
Thanks, Idriss!
I haven’t been to Prague in about 15 years. Pinning this because I can’t wait to return.
Thanks 🙂 I hope you return soon!
One day I will visit Prague. It on my bucket list. Thank you for the list, I shall look at this if I ever visit. xx
Thank you, Anna! I hope you get to visit soon 🙂
Okay, stop! My mouth is WATERING! 🙂 I love this blog post – thank you so much for creating this roundup and beautiful imagery – my gosh! Definitely pinning this for future travels!
xo Kathryn
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Haha, thank you!!! 😀
Definitely on my bucket list!
Thank you Anna!
xo
Thanks for reading 🙂
Will save this article for when I’m in Prague! Absolutely love the images in this article too. Thanks for the tips!
Awesome! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
What beautiful pictures! I haven’t been to Prague yet, but it is on my top places to go! One of a good friends of mine has been to tons of countries in Europe and Prague is her favorite city. Great post!
Thank you! Prague is definitely special – it’s one of those cities that’s just as beautiful as in the pictures 🙂
Ah, Prague. Maybe one day… Your pictures are lovely and making me very hungry. 🙂 The best way to visit a place is to see and taste like the locals. Thanks.
Thank you! Exactly 🙂
Beautiful pictures, it really motivates me to re-explore the Czech cuisine!
I’m glad to hear that 🙂
Food is my number one obsession, so love guides like this! 🙂
Haha, same!!! I think I mostly travel to eat 😛
Prague is definitely on my bucket list! All of the dishes you showed look delicious, especially that open ham sandwich from Sisters Bistro.
Yes, they’re so good!!!
Wow everything looks so intriguing! 🙂
Thank you! Everything is delicious 🙂
I have never visited Prague but so many of my friends tell me to go|! I’m glad I found this guide because it saves me a heap of research for decent food places when I eventually go! Thanks 🙂
Foirell | http://www.citygirlrlel.com
Thanks so much, Foirell! You should definitely go 🙂
Holy hell everything looks and sounds so good! I went to Europe for my first time this summer, and Prague wasn’t on my list but it definitely is now!
Everything was so good!!! Prague definitely needs to be on your list 🙂
I absolutely loved Prague and your post brought me right back to the city <3 . Aside from the street food obsession with Trdelník, I used to grab a bite at this place called "U Rudolfina" (right by Staroměstská metro station). Very well priced food for someone on a budget. Looking forward to future posts!
Thanks, Francesca 🙂 I’ll have to try your place next time!