What is the best Prague lunch or dinner spot? Two Michelin-starred restaurants and another 25 other Michelin restaurants. Countless other restaurants serving excellent international and especially Czech cuisine. Farmers’ markets and their street food. Beautiful cafes and patisseries that invite you to visit. And the panorama of the hundred-spired Prague. Who could resist? ❤️
While traveling, I almost exclusively taste local cuisine, but at home in Czechia, I don’t resist foreign dishes either. However, I am a loyal fan of traditional Czech food.
Food in Prague
The restaurant tips below come from my ongoing tasting and search for a great gastronomic experience. It doesn’t have to come only from the food; a place can easily enchant me with its atmosphere or the energy radiated by its owners.
Enjoy Prague and the best food in Prague!
What to Eat in Prague
Prague ham. Prague ham is known for its juiciness and excellent flavor, achieved through a careful combination of smoking and cooking. If you want to taste Prague ham of top quality, avoid the tourist stalls at the Old Town Square. Instead, visit the butcher shop Naše maso, where you will find great Prague ham made with an emphasis on traditional methods. You won’t regret it 😊
Prague ham: traditional regional Prague specialty.
What Not to Eat in Prague
Trdelník (chimney cake). Trdelník (trdlo) is not a traditional Czech dish, even though it is often sold in Prague’s tourist center. It originally comes from the region of Transylvania (today’s Romania), where it was prepared by local inhabitants. It appeared in Czechia around year 2000 when entrepreneurs began offering it to tourists as a “traditional Czech specialty” – a label it has never truly earned in Czech cuisine. The paradox of a “traditional Czech food” that is not Czech has even been covered by BBC. For tourists who wish to experience real Czech sweet treats, traditional Czech kolache (“koláče”) are a much better choice. Czech kolache have a long history, are made from leavened dough, and filled with quark, plum jam, or poppy seeds – ingredients typical of Czech cuisine. Where would I go for the best kolache in Prague’s historic center? To Kolacherie on Celetná Street. However, kolache can be found in most Prague bakeries offering sweet pastries. See “Where to Eat the Best Czech Kolache in Prague.”
Traditional Czech kolache (“koláče”) are definitely a better choice than tourist chimney cake (“trdelník”).
Where to Eat in the Historical Center of Prague
For each restaurant, I include a historical landmark that is closest to the venue.
Prague, a city interwoven with history and architectural elegance, is also home to several cafés that embody the pinnacle of Art Nouveau – an era of artistic flourishing at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Art Nouveau not only brings an aesthetic experience to cafés but also a magical atmosphere. A splendid example is Café Savoy with its majestic neo-Renaissance ceiling, Café Imperial with original ceramic tiles, Café Slavia, the center of Prague’s café culture, Café Louvre with Belle Époque-style decorations, or the two cafés located directly in Prague’s Main Train Station.
Café Savoy. The history of Café Savoy dates back to 1893. A notable feature of the interior is a protected ceiling in the neo-Renaissance style, emphasizing the wealth and elegance of the era. Café Savoy is renowned for its offering of fresh pastries and desserts, which it prepares in its own bakery. It is a popular destination for luxurious breakfasts. The café is part of the well-known Ambiente restaurant network.
Café Louvre. Café Louvre opened in 1902 and soon became the center of Prague’s intellectual and cultural life. Many prominent figures were its regular visitors, including the Čapek brothers, Franz Kafka, and even Albert Einstein. Architecturally, the café reflects the elegance of the Belle Époque period, evident in its rich interior and intricate details. After a renovation in 1992, the café was reopened and quickly became a favorite spot for both locals and tourists again.
Café Imperial. Café Imperial is an example of luxurious Art Deco style, combined with elements that give the place an Oriental touch. The walls and ceilings of the café are adorned with thousands of ceramic tiles, featuring reliefs of birds, flowers, and other motifs. This combination of Art Deco with ceramic elements is unique in Prague. The establishment’s history goes back to 1914, and over the years, Café Imperial has undergone many changes. At the turn of the millennium, the café was renovated, and today it is associated with the name of the renowned chef Zdeněk Pohlreich.
Café Slavia. Café Slavia, opened in 1884, is a model example of Prague’s café culture. The space is furnished mainly in the Art Deco style. The large windows of the café offer a stunning view of the Vltava River, Charles Bridge, and Prague Castle. Historically, Slavia has always been a place where intellectuals, artists, and political figures gathered. It was often visited by poet Vítězslav Nezval, the Čapek brothers, Voskovec and Werich, or journalist Ferdinand Peroutka. Regular visitor Václav Havel was also a patron. Over the years, Café Slavia has undergone several renovations, the most recent one aimed at attracting mainly Czech clientele. Today, the café offers a menu inspired by Austro-Hungarian cuisine.
Foyer Café. Foyer Café is located in the renovated Fanta Building, right by the first platform of the Prague’s Main Train Station. The renovation was completed in 2024. The café combines the elegance of the Art Nouveau style with modern elements. The café’s interior carries the spirit of the time when Art Nouveau architecture was a symbol of innovation and aesthetics, and the renovation is, in my opinion, very well done. Foyer Café is more hidden from visitors than the adjacent Fanta Café, which makes it more interesting to me. If you have a bit more time at the station, or if your train is delayed (wink, wink), I think Foyer Café is the best place to wait for a train.
Fanta Café. Fanta Café is one of the most significant Art Nouveau landmarks in the Czech Republic. It was designed by architect Josef Fanta and built between 1901 and 1909. Originally serving as the departure hall of the Main Train Station, it now recalls the charm and elegance of the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The Art Nouveau atmosphere of the café is enhanced by large decorative wallpapers in the style of Alfons Mucha. The recent renovation, aimed at restoring its original appearance as authentically as possible, focused on historical details, including a portrait of Josef Fanta himself and special artifacts that add uniqueness to the place. If you walk towards the trains through the main tunnel, Fanta Café is just a few meters above you and can be seen through an open ceiling. I never resist looking up.
Café Imperial: the interior in Art Deco style will fascinate any admirer of this artistic movement. Café Imperial is one of the most beautiful restaurants in Prague.
Where to Experience the Best Fine Dining in Prague
Kus koláče. Kus koláče is a popular bakery in Prague’s Vinohrady, founded by Nika Vávrová, who gained experience in a bakery in the United States and Prague’s Eska. Kus koláče is my number one choice for the perfect Czech kolach. The bakery offers a wide range of both savory and sweet treats, from French quiches and galettes to Italian focaccia and ciabattas, as well as Slovak pagáče. Right next door is their second branch, “Další kus.” (And just a few meters away is the excellent Výčep restaurant.)
Kolacherie. Kolacherie is a bakery in Prague specializing in traditional Czech kolache. Here you will find the best kolache with poppy seeds, quark, fruit, or plum jam, as well as other pastries like buchty or turnovers. The shop on Celetná Street in the historic center of Prague is also noteworthy for its effort to show tourists genuine Czech traditional pastries, which certainly does not include chimney cake (“trdelník”).
Kro Coffee & Bakery. Kro Coffee & Bakery is another popular spot in Prague’s Vinohrady, offering specialty coffee, breakfasts, and all-day dining. The café is renowned for its excellent coffee from popular roasteries, which you can enjoy all day along with homemade pastries such as croissants, kolache, and sourdough bread.
Praktika Bakery. An artisanal bakery focused on quality. Here you will find a wide selection of sourdough bread, crispy rolls, sweet pastries, and specialties like sandwiches and quiches. Kolache, of course, are not missing. Besides in-store sales, Praktika also supplies its excellent pastries to other cafés and restaurants in Prague.
Antonínovo pekařství. Antonínovo pekařství is a Prague bakery chain. Bakers prepare the dough and bake the best bread, and other pastries right in front of customers. The bakery has six branches in Prague, located in Vinohrady, Vršovice, Karlín, Smíchov, Dejvice, and Holešovice. In addition to fresh bread, it also offers soups and salads.
Libeřské lahůdky. Libeřské lahůdky are extremely popular among Prague residents as a chain of stores offering Czech open sandwiches (“chlebíčky”), desserts, pastries, and, of course, Czech kolache. Unlike the other bakeries mentioned here, prices are relatively low. My down-to-earth favorite and underdog of this list 😊
Libeřské lahůdky: offering not only Czech kolache, desserts, and other delicacies; most Prague residents come here for typical Czech open sandwiches (“chlebíčky”).
Větrník (a Czech cream puff). My Favorite Czech Dessert ❤️
Where to Eat the Best French Desserts in Prague
Votre Plaisir. Votre Plaisir is a well-known Prague patisserie specializing in perfect desserts inspired by French pastry-making. The business is run by Gabriela and Michal Hrubec, who share a passion for high-quality food and meticulous craftsmanship. Before opening their brick-and-mortar shop, the couple participated in farmers’ markets (where I discovered them myself 😇) and supplied their products to other Prague cafés and restaurants. The range is extensive, from macarons, tartlets, and other pastries to whole custom cakes. Votre Plaisir is currently probably the best French patisserie in Prague.
American BBQ (barbecue) is a method of meat preparation characterized by slow and long roasting over charcoal or smoke. The meat remains juicy and acquires a distinctive flavor and tenderness. BBQ is deeply rooted in American culture, especially in the southern states. In Prague, I recommend trying authentic American BBQ at one of two renowned restaurants: Hell Smoke BBQ or Big Smokers.
Big Smokers. Big Smokers is a BBQ restaurant located in Prague’s Holešovice district. The menu features classic specialties such as pulled pork, pork belly, beef brisket, turkey breast, and pork ribs. I recommend trying various meats in a combo offer. They also have beer specials on tap. You definitely won’t leave here hungry or thirsty!
Hell Smoke BBQ. Hell Smoke BBQ is another Prague restaurant specializing in American BBQ. It is located in Prague’s Újezd neighborhood. Hell Smoke BBQ is known for its traditional “low and slow” approach to meat preparation, using only smoke and heat from hardwood. Here too, you will find perfect pulled pork, beef brisket, pastrami, homemade sausages, or ribs.
Prague’s Big Smokers restaurant and their American BBQ.
Roast goose with cabbage and dumplings for St. Martin’s Day is one of the most popular Czech culinary traditions. Here are my tips for great Prague restaurants that will feature goose dishes on their menus, including prices, website links, and direct links to their St. Martin’s Day menus.
Brunch at Občanská plovárna takes place every Sunday, and the menu changes every two months. The price includes unlimited consumption of starters, egg-based breakfast dishes, main courses, and mini desserts. Unlimited consumption also applies to selected types of soft drinks, wine, or beer.
Kuchyň restaurant is still an interesting place for me to visit even after all these years. If I were to recommend just one restaurant to my guests from abroad, it would still be Kuchyň restaurant. This time, I tried the marinated carp with citrus and their famous dill sauce with a poached egg.
The Rice Field restaurant in Prague focuses on authentic Vietnamese communal dining, mâm cơm, which means sharing a variety of dishes at one table just as is common in Vietnamese households. The menu includes crispy pork belly, duck legs and breast with galangal, soup with minced meat, and calamari with mango sauce. The service is fast and welcoming; this place is ideal for lovers of Vietnamese cuisine seeking a quality experience even outside the Sapa Praha area.
Forbína Bar is a new cocktail venue in Prague. It is located in the Lažanský Palace on Národní třída, directly opposite the National Theatre. The cocktail menu is inspired by the theatre's repertoire, offering drinks named after its productions. The composition and presentation of the cocktails reflect the essence of each performance. Forbína prides itself on the meticulous presentation of its drinks, complemented by captivating stories told by the bartenders. The stunning interior, designed by the Olgoj Chorchoj studio, combines natural materials with artistic elements.
Pho 100 is a venue in Prague's Anděl district, focused exclusively on the Vietnamese soup phở. The project is led by brothers Khanh and Giang Ta, who previously operated the Taro restaurant here. The menu offers four variations of phở. Rice noodles are made on-site using a special machine imported from Hanoi. Thanks to the self-service ordering system, the service is very fast.
Čep & Pec is a pub-café located in Prague's Nusle district. It was founded in 2021 as a space to showcase the beers of the Four Elements brewery. The craft brewery’s offerings are uniquely combined with a bakery. The menu is built on time-tested Czech pub classics such as pickled cheese or pickled sausages.
Jídlovice is a popular network of Prague canteens. They primarily focus on office clientele, with two branches in Dejvice and one in Karlín. They offer a combination of Czech classics and dishes from various world cuisines. The meals are not only delicious but also attractively presented. The environment is modern, and the service is very fast and efficient. Despite occasional queues and a noisy atmosphere, Jídlovice is currently the best "tray-style" dining in Prague for me.
A breathtaking view of Charles Bridge and excellent international dishes – for me, that’s Restaurant Mlýnec. The menu features dishes from modern Czech and international cuisine, with an emphasis on seasonal and local ingredients. The lunch menu, which I tried this time, changes every week. For me, Mlýnec is the perfect choice for dining in the historic center of Prague.
The Michelin Guide is a prestigious gastronomic ranking that recognizes exceptional restaurants worldwide. Awards ranging from one to three stars symbolize the quality of dishes, the overall experience, and the craftsmanship of the chef and their team. Another type of recognition, the Bib Gourmand, is given to restaurants offering an excellent price-to-quality ratio. In 2025, two restaurants in the Czech Republic – Field and La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise – hold a Michelin star, five others have been awarded Bib Gourmand, and twenty additional establishments are listed in the Czech Michelin Guide. All of them are located in Prague.
