Prague offers a large number of places to go for lunch. Here are tips for my favorite establishments that offer a lunch menu.
Perhaps it's precisely because I love traveling and tasting foreign cuisines that, in the Czech Republic, I enjoy Czech cuisine the most when eating out. That's also why, if I had to pick just one place from this list, it would be Výčep Restaurant, which serves Czech dishes perfected for lunch. For fans of Prague panoramas, I must mention Kuchyň Restaurant, the view of Prague from their two outdoor terraces is stunning.
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But I haven't left out recommendations for where to go for Italian or Asian cuisine for lunch, and there are also two tips for a luxury lunch in Prague. Considering that food in Prague can be expensive for many, I’m also adding tips on places for a cheap lunch in Prague. All the places mentioned in this section are canteens. Their advantage is not only the price but also that their lunch menu features Czech dishes that have no chance of making it onto the dinner menu (and if you ever see pork kidneys with bacon on the lunch menu at Výčep, please let me know ❤️).
Bon appétit!
Where to Go for Lunch in Prague
Best Prague Lunch: Czech Cuisine
Výčep Restaurant
Výčep Restaurant in Prague's Vinohrady district is currently one of my favorite establishments. On the lunch menu, which changes every week, you can find traditional Czech dishes prepared in a modern way here. For lunch, you can enjoy, for example, beef broth with a giant liver dumpling, mushroom soup, liver sausage with mashed potatoes, stuffed dumpling, or the popular Dutch schnitzel made from Prestice pork (Dutch schnitzel is also Czech food). These are complemented by other popular dishes from world cuisine. Probably in no other restaurant have I said so many times at lunch: "wow, this is the best version of this dish I've ever had". Dalešice beer is on tap, the service is fast and professional. The kitchen is ruled by Jiří Hrachový, included among the "Interesting Czech Chefs of 2023 whose activities are worth following" (according to Forbes). The venue is listed on the Czech Michelin list.
Lunch price: 300 - 400 CZK (12 - 16 EUR) for a main course, 125 CZK (5 EUR) for a soup
When: Monday - Friday 11:00 - 15:00
Web: lunch menu, restaurant website
Kamin Restaurant
Kamin Restaurant is my discovery of 2023. The lunch menu may offer only one soup, one main course, and one dessert, but their execution is truly exceptional. For lunch, they often prepare typical Czech dishes in a more daring interpretation. The kitchen is ruled by Jan Macháč, who gained experience at the Michelin restaurant La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise ⭐ or Taro (see below), and guests are taken care of by his older brother Marek. Both give an extremely passionate impression. The restaurant is relatively new, so even a dinner visit won’t break the bank. I still remember their unconventional honey cake, which I had the chance to try during my first lunch visit, even as I write this text.
Lunch price: 250 CZK (10 EUR) for a main course, 100 CZK (4 EUR) for a soup, 100 CZK (4 EUR) for a dessert
When: Tuesday - Friday 12:00 - 15:00
Web: lunch menu, restaurant website
Best Prague Lunch: Italian Cuisine
Dejvická 34 Restaurant
The Italian restaurant, named after its address, is headed by the energetic Tomáš Černý, who has extensive experience. The restaurant and its chef have appeared, for example, in the show Pohlreich's Best Restaurant and also at the "Battle on the Plate Live" festival at O2 Universum. However, the spotlight has had a positive effect, and the dishes are now more refined than before. On the lunch menu, which changes every week, you will most often find pasta, risotto, or fish. Of all the world cuisines, I have probably tasted Italian cuisine the most, and so when I start to miss it, I head straight to Dejvická 34. The establishment is included in the Czech Michelin guide.
Lunch price: 799 CZK (32 EUR) for a three-course menu, with the option to choose only two or one course for a lower price
When: Monday - Friday 11:00 - 15:00
Web: restaurant website
Best Prague Lunch: Asian Cuisine
Nhà hai hành Bistro
In Prague's Anděl, you'll find the until recently practically unknown Vietnamese bistro Nhà hai hành. Without a doubt, this is a small culinary gem in the center of Prague. The establishment focuses on home-style Vietnamese cuisine, the bistro's atmosphere is "punk", tables are covered with advertising flyers, and you sit on plastic chairs. The food is perfect, the service is smiling, pleasant and helpful. The bistro's chef is Tomáš Cibulka with many years of experience from the restaurant La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise ⭐. The establishment gained significant visibility on the TV show Pohlreich's Best Restaurant, yet Tomáš Cibulka and his wife still give a very modest and likeable impression. Plus, those prices!
Lunch price: 230 CZK (9.20 EUR) for an "office" lunch (main course, rice, herbs, fruit)
When: Monday - Friday 11:30 - 14:00
Web: lunch menu, restaurant website
Taro Restaurant
The Asian restaurant Taro is very close to bistro Nhà hai hành, also located in Prague's Anděl. But while Nhà hai hành is hidden in a side street, Taro can be found right on the bustling main street - Nádražní street. Taro draws inspiration from Vietnamese cuisine in a fine-dining interpretation. The flavors are sophisticated, the dishes are beautifully presented. The lunch menu consists of four smaller courses that can fully satisfy you. Unfortunately, Taro doesn't publish their current lunch menu on their website, which may not suit everyone. If you follow a gluten-free diet, Taro is one of the places where they can readily prepare a gluten-free lunch menu for you. Taro's kitchen is open, bordered by one large bar table, so every guest has a front-row seat and can watch everything happening in the kitchen if interested. The restaurant's capacity is only 20 seats. The establishment is listed on the Czech Michelin guide. If Taro wins you over with its flavors, try visiting restaurant Dian in Prague's Brumlovka or Gao Den in Prague's Stodůlky, which belong to the same operators as Taro.
Lunch price: 790 CZK (32 EUR) for a four-course menu
Note: Taro has moved from Anděl closer to the center of Prague to new premises. The reopening is planned for January 2025, the above information applies to the original restaurant, which is now closed, in its place the same owners operate an establishment focused on phở soups.
Restaurants in Sapa Prague
If you live in Prague or have enough time to explore it and want to get to know Prague from a slightly unconventional perspective, try considering lunch at the Sapa market in Prague's Libuš. This market is not just a place with lots of clothes or toys, but also the place with the highest concentration of Vietnamese bistros in Prague. In Sapa, you can taste perfect grilled bún chả, rice rolls bánh cuốn or phở soup. At lunchtime, the local bistros are filled to the last seat and you'll often have to wait a while to be seated. Your reward will be an authentic experience - the flavors will be magnificent, the prices incredible, and the dining standards slightly lower than what you're used to. Don't worry about getting lost in Sapa or that it's not a place for you. Sapa is full of Prague residents who come here for shopping and for excellent Vietnamese food at lunch.
When: Monday - Sunday
Price: most often up to 200 CZK (8 EUR) per meal (cash only)
Best Lunch with a Prague View
Kuchyň Restaurant
Kuchyň Restaurant is the only one on this list that doesn't offer a special lunch menu, yet I couldn't resist including it in this overview. Kuchyň is a place with an absolutely incredible view of Prague. From two terraces, you have the Czech capital laid out before you. The establishment serves Czech cuisine in perfect execution and as I've mentioned elsewhere, if I had to show Prague to my foreign guests and take them to just one place for a meal, it would be Kuchyň. Due to its location in the immediate vicinity of Prague Castle, some might fear it's a tourist trap. In this case, however, that's definitely not true. The prices are still good considering the location, their dill sauce with beef is irresistible, and I rarely pass up the yeast dumpling with plum jam and poppy seeds. And that view!
Price: 345 - 725 Kč (13.80 - 29 EUR) for main course, 155 - 425 Kč (6.20 - 17 EUR) for appetizer, 175 - 208 Kč (7 - 8.30 EUR) for dessert
dessert
When: Monday - Sunday 12:00 - 22:30
Web: restaurant website
Mlýnec Restaurant
Mlýnec Restaurant is among my favorite restaurants not only because of their lunch menu, but also thanks to the absolutely incredible view of Charles Bridge. You can best enjoy it from the restaurant's terrace, which is directly above the Vltava, and from the first and second rows by the glass wall. Mlýnec focuses on modern international cuisine, on the lunch menu you'll find both popular Czech and well-known international dishes. The restaurant's atmosphere is elegant yet informal. The lunch menu changes every week. Mlýnec is also an excellent choice if you're thinking about where to go for brunch in Prague. It takes place every Saturday and Sunday and is very popular among guests.
Lunch price: 695 CZK (28 EUR) for a three-course menu, 595 CZK (24 EUR) for a two-course menu
When: Monday - Friday 11:30 - 13:30
Web: lunch menu, restaurant website
Best Prague Luxury Lunch
Restaurants Field and La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise are the only two restaurants in the Czech Republic awarded one Michelin star. Both started preparing more affordable lunch menus for guests during Covid to cover the loss of income from foreign tourists. Covid is now gone, but fortunately the economically advantageous lunch menu has been preserved to this day.
Field Restaurant
Field Restaurant ⭐ is the establishment of currently perhaps the most famous Czech chef - Radek Kašpárek, host of the popular TV show Masterchef Česko. Kašpárek will also soon appear in the Czech adaptation of the TV show Hell's Kitchen, made famous by Gordon Ramsay. Radek Kašpárek became co-owner of Field in 2014 and just two years later (2016) the establishment received its Michelin star. It has continuously defended it since then. The ambitious Radek Kašpárek makes no secret of wanting to earn two Michelin stars ⭐⭐ for the establishment in the near future. Field focuses on modern cuisine. At Field, it's possible to taste the more affordable lunch menu not only on weekdays but also on weekends. If you can't manage to make a reservation at Field, try Radek Kašpárek's newly opened (and much larger) establishment on Old Town Square in Prague. It bears the original name 420.
Lunch price on weekdays: 1,500 CZK (60 EUR) for a three-course menu, 1,250 CZK (50 EUR) for a two-course menu
When: Monday - Friday 11:00 - 14:30
Weekend lunch price: 2,700 CZK (120 EUR) for a four-course menu
When: Saturday - Sunday, holidays 12:00 - 15:00
Web: weekday lunch menu, weekend lunch menu, restaurant website
La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise Restaurant
La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise Restaurant ⭐ is the second Czech restaurant with one Michelin star. It received it back in 2012, six years after opening. The chef is Oldřich Sahajdák. The establishment specializes in classic Czech cuisine from the late 19th century in modern execution. Oldřich Sahajdák often expresses admiration for the recipes of Marie B. Svobodová from 1894, and indeed paid her great tribute in the sister establishment Marie B, which he opened in 2023. You can see the incredible modern execution of traditional Czech dishes such as "Spanish bird" ("španělský ptáček" in Czech), in the video below.
Lunch price: 1,250 - 1,450 CZK (50 - 58 EUR) for a three-course menu (depending on the type of main course)
When: Monday - Sunday 11:30 - 13:30
Web: menu, restaurant website
Zobrazit příspěvek na Instagramu
Best Prague Cheap Lunch
Canteens are the easiest way to eat cheaply in Prague (and quickly too). The vast majority of them focus on traditional Czech dishes. The lunch menu at canteens is all the more interesting to me because the dishes they offer often don't make it onto evening menus at all due to their simplicity (for example, my beloved pork kidneys with bacon or the Czech favorite sweet buns with vanilla custard). All the canteens mentioned here are self-service - guests receive a tray, onto which the staff behind the counter place a plate with food. With the tray of food, guests pay at the cash register before starting their meal. The low lunch price is naturally offset by less attractive food styling on the plate and more ordinary canteen premises.
Pohotovka Canteen
Pohotovka Canteen is for me the absolute queen of Prague canteens. On the menu you'll find the most popular traditional Czech dishes such as beef goulash, roasted pork meat with sauerkraut and dumplings, dill sauce with beef meat/egg and dumplings/potatoes, sour lentils and many others. The food is excellent, the staff behind the counter work in perfect harmony, it's a joy to watch them. The canteen underwent a complete renovation in 2022, so it's a modern gastro establishment. It's extraordinarily popular with both workers and office employees, as evidenced by the daily queue that forms even before the entrance doors. A large portion of people take their food to go. Food to go is captured in the two photos below - my favorite pork kidneys with bacon, with which I like to have bread dumplings instead of rice (😇) and half a portion of sweet buns with vanilla cream (so the plates and food styling are mine). Pohotovka Canteen is near Makro in Stodůlky, completely outside the center of Prague. The lunch menu changes every day.
Lunch price: most often 154 CZK (6 EUR) for the main course, 44 CZK (1.80 EUR) for soup
When: Monday - Friday 10:30 - 18:00, Saturday - Sunday 10:30 - 17:00, open for breakfast from 8:00
Web: lunch menu, canteen website
Světozor Canteen
Světozor Canteen is just a few dozen meters from Prague's Wenceslas Square. It's a bit hidden in the Světozor arcade, but it's not hard to find. The lunch menu again features traditional Czech dishes such as stuffed bell peppers, roasted pork with sauerkraut and dumplings, sour lentils, pork schnitzel, beef in tomato or dill sauce, and others. The lunch menu changes every day.
Lunch price: 100 - 170 CZK (4 - 6.80 EUR) for the main course, 40 CZK (1.60 EUR) for soup
When: Monday - Sunday 10:00 - 15:00
Web: lunch menu
Marjánka Canteen
My other favorite canteen is Marjánka at Prague's Anděl. Marjánka also prepares traditional Czech dishes, plus they have salads in their permanent menu, such as cucumber or tomato salad. Marjánka's specialty is that it's a 24/7 restaurant. This has its advantages and disadvantages. For many, Marjánka is literally a beacon, a last resort when returning home in the late night hours. Marjánka was reviewed quite critically by Starej fotr with Honzík (a Czech YouTuber) during his night visit, but I definitely wouldn't be so critical and would always prefer Marjánka over KFC or McDonald's. The great popularity of Marjánka is also evidenced by the high average rating of 4.3/5 from about 1,200 reviewers on Google Maps, which is an excellent result for a canteen. The lunch menu changes every day.
Price: 140 - 160 CZK (5.60 - 6.40 EUR) for the main course, 45 CZK (1.80 EUR) for soup
When: nonstop
Web: lunch menu, canteen website
Havelská koruna Restaurant
I'd also like to mention the canteen Havelská Koruna located in the center of Prague. Here too, the menu features the most popular traditional Czech dishes, plus you'll always find the Czech-beloved fried cheese (familiarly called "smažák" in Czech) on offer. Havelská Koruna is the only one of all the canteens mentioned here that's also caters to tourists, with the entire menu in several world languages. Havelská Koruna has a different payment system than other canteens - at the entrance, each guest receives a paper card on which ordered dishes are recorded, and guests pay just before leaving. If you lose the paper card, you pay a high penalty. The menu is permanent, but not all dishes are available every day.
Price: most often 150 - 250 CZK (6 - 10 EUR) for the main course, 60 CZK (2.40 EUR) for soup
When: Monday - Sunday 10:00 - 20:00
Web: lunch menu, restaurant website
Map of Recommended Prague Restaurants for Lunch
Legend:
● purple: Czech cuisine for lunch in Prague - restaurants Výčep and Kamin
● green: Italian cuisine for lunch in Prague - restaurants Dejvická 34
● brown: Asian cuisine for lunch in Prague - Nhà hai hành Bistro, Taro Restaurant and restaurants in Sapa Prague
● black: lunch with a view of Prague - restaurants Kuchyň and Mlýnec
● gold: luxury lunch in Prague - restaurants Field ⭐ and La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise ⭐
● red: cheap lunch in Prague - canteens Pohotovka, Světozor, Marjánka, and Havelská koruna
Updated: January 7, 2025.
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