99+ Tips on Where to Eat in Prague (2026)
Prague, the capital of Czechia and my home since 2001.
Where to have lunch or dinner in Prague? Five Prague restaurants with a Michelin star, the first Czech two-star restaurant just outside the city, and dozens more places on the list of Michelin restaurants (as of September 14, 2026). Countless other restaurants cooking great international and especially Czech food. Farmers' markets and their street food. Gorgeous cafés and pastry shops that practically beg you to drop in. And on top of it all, the skyline of Prague, the city of a hundred spires. Who could resist? ❤️
On my travels I eat almost nothing but local food, but at home in Czechia I can't resist international cooking either. Still, traditional Czech food will always have my heart. All the tips below come from my constant tasting and my search for great food experiences. And the experience doesn't have to come from the food alone; a place can just as easily win me over with its atmosphere or the energy its owners give off.
What to Eat in Prague
Unlike many other cities, Prague doesn't have a long list of dishes of its own - it shares most Czech classics with the rest of the country. Two specialties really were born here, though, and both are worth trying:
- Prague ham. It was first made by the Prague butcher František Zvěřina as early as 1857, but it was made famous by the butcher and smokehouse owner Antonín Chmel, who started production in Prague's Zvonařka in 1879 - his ham on the bone even made its way to the imperial court in Vienna. Since 2018, Prague ham has been registered as an EU Traditional Speciality Guaranteed; it's known for its oval "Prague cut" and delicate smoking. If you want to taste it at its best, skip the tourist stands on Old Town Square and head to the Naše maso butcher shop. You won't regret it.
- Obložené chlebíčky (open-faced sandwiches). The staple of every Czech celebration was born in Prague: the delicatessen owner Jan Paukert came up with them in 1916 for the guests at his shop on Národní třída, and T. G. Masaryk, Czechoslovakia's first president, was a fan too. Today the best chlebíčky in Prague come from delicatessens, not supermarkets - my go-to addresses are Libeřské lahůdky and the Ovocný Světozor pastry shops.
- … and dozens more Czech dishes on the list: What to Eat in Czechia.
What Not to Eat in Prague
- Trdelník. Trdelník (trdlo) isn't a traditional Czech dish, even though it's sold on every corner in Prague's tourist center. Its ancestor is kürtőskalács, the "chimney cake" from Transylvania in today's Romania, documented in a recipe as early as 1679; the Slovak town of Skalica also has a genuine tradition of its own, the Skalica trdelník, protected by an EU geographical indication. But trdelník didn't turn up on Prague's Old Town Square until the Easter markets of 2002 - as a tourist attraction, not a Czech tradition. Even the BBC has looked into the paradox of a "traditional Czech food" that isn't Czech. For tourists who want to get to know real Czech sweet baking, traditional Czech koláče are a much better choice - yeast-dough pastries topped with quark, plum butter or poppy seeds. Where would I go for a good koláč in Prague's historic center? To Kolacherie on Celetná Street. For more addresses, see "Where to Find the Best Czech Koláče in Prague".
Where to Eat in Prague's Historic Center
In the most visited tourist areas, you need to be very careful when choosing a restaurant - this is exactly where most tourist traps lie in wait. The places below are my tried-and-tested exceptions; after each restaurant's name I've added the historic landmark it's closest to.
- 420 Restaurant, Old Town Square. Radek Kašpárek's project right across from the Astronomical Clock, with its own bakery in a Gothic cellar. The pork crackling scones and rolls from here may be the best I've ever eaten.
- Mincovna Restaurant, Old Town Square.
- Skautský institut, Old Town Square.
- Maitrea Vegetarian Restaurant, Old Town Square.
- Kuchyň Restaurant, Prague Castle. Czech cooking based on old cookbooks, and terraces with a view over all of Prague. If I could take my guests from abroad to just one place, this would be it.
- Tāst Restaurant, Prague Castle.
- Ūvoz Restaurant, Prague Castle.
- Mlýnec Restaurant, Charles Bridge. First-class dining with a view right onto the Charles Bridge; I recommend Mlýnec without a second thought whenever anyone asks me where to eat in Prague's historic center.
- Pork's Restaurant, Charles Bridge. Perfectly crispy pork knuckle - people regularly line up outside for it.
- Bistro Roesel - beer & food, Charles Bridge. A hidden beer gem in one of the most touristy spots in Prague: top-notch craft beer at normal prices.
Where to Find the Best Czech Food in Prague
These days you'll find honest Czech cooking in Prague everywhere from pubs and canteens to Michelin-recognized restaurants. These are my go-to addresses:
- Výčep Restaurant. Jiří Hrachový's modern eastern Moravian pub in Vinohrady. It has held a Michelin Bib Gourmand since December 2025. Book a table ahead for lunch.
- Kuchyň Restaurant. Cooking from old Czech cookbooks within sight of the gates of Prague Castle; their famous dill sauce is worth the trip on its own. I always go to Kuchyň for just one beer. It has never stayed at one.
- Na Výtoni Pub. The best duck in Prague? For me, it's the one from here: grilled over charcoal in a special Josper grill, with skin as crispy as cracklings. An evening reservation is a must.
- Kamin Restaurant. The Macháček brothers' family restaurant on Náměstí Míru. Czech classics with a bolder twist.
- U Matěje Restaurant. Honest Czech cooking, superbly done, under the baton of Jan Punčochář, a judge on MasterChef Česko.
- Na Kopci Restaurant. A small family restaurant above Smíchov that pairs French techniques with Czech cooking; it has held a Michelin Bib Gourmand every year since 2015, longer than any other place in Prague. There are only a few tables and it's usually full - you really do need to book ahead.
- U Kalendů Restaurant.
- Kastrol Restaurant.
- Pohotovka Canteen. My absolute queen of Prague canteens: every lunchtime a line forms outside this tray canteen in Stodůlky, with blue-collar workers shifting from foot to foot next to white-collar workers from the nearby offices. I live just around the corner and I'm in that line regularly.
- Jídlovice Canteen. For me, currently the best tray canteen in Prague - the people running it have really thought about what Czechs like to eat, and the staff work like an extremely well-oiled machine.
Where to Drink Beer in Prague
Prague is a beer superpower, and picking just a few places is next to impossible. A great place to start is the Prague Beer Zoo - an unofficial trail of eleven Prague pubs named after animals, from the baroque U Černého vola pub to the Dva Kohouti brewery in Karlín. My own favorite route leads back to the foot of Prague Castle: to the Black Ox (U Černého vola) for olomoucké tvarůžky, our pungent little Moravian cheeses, with a Kozel, and to the Hippo (U Hrocha) for a Pilsner Urquell. And these are the other places I go for a beer in Prague:
- Automat Matuška. Matuška beers are (along with Zichovec) among my absolute favorites, and at the Automat in Dejvice they pour them perfectly. The alcohol-free Krystus on tap from the Clock brewery (yes, they pour a competitor's beer too!) is, in my opinion, the best alcohol-free beer in Czechia, full stop.
- Čep & Pec. A craft brewery combined with a bakery; the beer from the local Four Elements brewery has real bite, and on top of that there's a touch of punk and Nusle hipster energy in the air.
- Pivovarský klub Benedict.
- Lokál U Bílé Kuželky.
- Pult.
- U Glaubiců.
- Vinohradský Brewery.
- Sedm°.
- Dno pytle.
- Nubeerbar.
And, for their history alone, U Pinkasů and U Fleků too.
The Most Beautiful Historic Cafés in Prague
The cafés from the turn of the 20th century were where Czech cultural life came together - and you can still sit in them today.
- Café Savoy. Café Savoy's history goes back to 1893, and the standout feature of the interior is a listed Neo-Renaissance ceiling. The café is famous for the bread and desserts from its own bakery and is one of the most popular places for a luxurious breakfast in Prague.
- Café Louvre. It opened back in 1902 and soon became the center of Prague's intellectual life - regulars included the Čapek brothers, Franz Kafka and Albert Einstein during his time in Prague. After it was ruined under communism, it was restored and reopened in 1992.
- Café Imperial. The walls and ceilings of this café from 1914 are covered in thousands of ceramic tiles with reliefs - a blend of Art Nouveau and Art Deco that's one of a kind in Prague. Today the place is associated with chef Zdeněk Pohlreich.
- Café Slavia. A textbook example of Prague café culture across from the National Theatre, opened in 1884. Its large windows offer a wonderful view of the Vltava and Prague Castle; its guests included Vítězslav Nezval, the Čapek brothers and Václav Havel, who personally pushed for the café to reopen.
- Foyer Café. A two-story café in the renovated Fanta Building at Prague's main railway station, opened in September 2024. It's better hidden from visitors than the neighboring Fanta Café, but for me that makes it all the more interesting. If your train happens to be running late (wink, wink), Foyer Café is, in my opinion, the best place to wait for it.
- Fanta Café (Fantova kavárna). One of the most important Art Nouveau landmarks in Czechia: the building was designed by the architect Josef Fanta and built between 1901 and 1909, and the café sits in the former departure hall. After an extensive restoration, it reopened to the public in December 2023. If you walk to your train through the main underpass, it's right above your head, visible through the open ceiling - I can never resist looking up.
Where to Find the Best Tasting-Menu Dining in Prague
Prague fine dining is in the best shape I can remember - in December 2025, Papilio became the first Czech restaurant to earn two Michelin stars. These are the tasting-menu restaurants I've checked out myself:
- Restaurant Papilio ⭐⭐. Jan Knedla worked his way through Michelin kitchens from London to Hong Kong, and in December 2025 he took Papilio to two stars, the first Czech restaurant ever to get there. It's in Vysoký Újezd, just outside Prague - and the trip is worth it: the carrot with miso and pistachios was the standout moment of the whole dinner for me.
- Field Restaurant ⭐. Radek Kašpárek has held a Michelin star since 2016, and these days he finishes dishes right at the table. Field doesn't sell food - it sells a front-row ticket to a three-hour show. And I have never in my life eaten better bread than the one they serve at the start of the menu.
- La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise Restaurant ⭐. The only place in Czechia that has won and held on to a Michelin star (since 2012) for cooking built entirely on Czech ingredients and recipes. Their rajská, the sweet-and-sour tomato sauce we serve with beef back home, came as a lollipop - and it stuck with me for a really long time.
- Marie B Restaurant. Probably the most original fine dining in Prague and maybe in all of Czechia, no exaggeration: a carte blanche concept where you don't know what's on your plate until you've finished it. La Degustation's younger, sassier sister. Don't be afraid to step into the world behind the wildly tagged door.
- Vallmo Restaurant. An unassuming place near Náplavka with a poppy motif and food that foodies really ought to be talking about. I can't think of a restaurant where I've had a better horseradish sauce. Quite possibly there isn't one.
- Dejvická 34 Restaurant. Italian cooking by Tomáš Černý, winner of the Zlatý kuchař (Golden Chef) 2024 poll, with a Michelin Bib Gourmand. When you book, you can ask for the chef's table with a view straight into the kitchen.
- Pot-au-feu Restaurant. Thirty-five seats and total focus on the craft: Jan Kracík's French classics, three Gault&Millau toques and the best service in Czechia. Veal head with gribiche sauce is a rarity on Prague's dining map.
Where to Go for Brunch in Prague
I'm especially fond of a weekend brunch in Prague. I've tried these four and recommend them:
- Mlýnec Restaurant. A served brunch with unlimited wine and beer and an incredible view of the Charles Bridge. If you haven't been yet, go - and you might even end up closing the place down, like we did.
- Občanská plovárna. Sunday brunch right on the Vltava; the highlight for me was the salmon with green curry, and I really appreciate the alcohol-free prosecco, which I often can't find elsewhere.
- The Artisan Restaurant. Sunday brunches at the Marriott hotel, with a different theme every week - from a pig-slaughter feast to chocolate. The cheese comes from Krasolesí farm, which Michelin-recognized restaurants also buy from.
- Buddha-Bar Prague. An Asian brunch under a three-ton Buddha statue, with a kids' corner and childcare - one of those nice moments when a great food experience meets parental comfort.
Where to Go for Wine and Cocktails in Prague
- Champagneria Wine Bar. A bar full of Champagne, cava and crémant on Průchodní Street, which looks like it stepped out of Jaroslav Foglar's adventure stories about a labyrinth of crooked old-town lanes. In the run-up to Christmas I come here for a proper mulled wine in a cut-glass tumbler - because you won't find that at the Christmas markets, only a few hundred meters away from them.
- Na břehu Rhôny. A chain of self-service wine bars pouring Rhône Valley wines from bag-in-boxes. I first dropped by the Výtoň branch maybe ten years ago and I keep coming back - I've never once been disappointed.
- Vinice sv. Kláry. Prague wine with a view over the Troja basin, right in the grounds of the Botanical Garden.
- Forbína Bar. An elegant cocktail bar across from the National Theatre, with a menu inspired by its repertoire; the bartenders are happy to tell you the story behind every drink. While people line up outside Hemingway Bar in the evening, at Forbína you can still get a seat without any trouble.
Where to Find the Best Delicatessens in Prague
Where to Find the Best Czech Koláče in Prague
- Kus koláče. A much-loved bakery in Prague's Vinohrady, run by Nika Vávrová, who brings experience from a bakery in the United States and from Prague's Eska. Kus koláče is my number one choice for a perfect Czech koláč. Right next door is their second location, "Další kus" - and a few meters further on, the excellent Výčep restaurant.
- Kolacherie. A bakery on Celetná Street specializing in traditional Czech koláče with poppy seeds, quark, fruit or plum butter. The place is also admirable for trying to show tourists in the historic center what genuinely traditional Czech baking looks like. Which, for the record, trdelník really isn't.
- Kro Coffee & Bakery. Another favorite in Vinohrady: specialty coffee from popular roasteries, paired with house-baked goods from croissants and koláče to sourdough bread.
- Praktika Bakery. A craft bakery focused on quality: sourdough loaves, crusty rolls, sweet pastries and quiche. Koláče are there too, of course, and Praktika also supplies its bread and pastries to other Prague cafés and restaurants.
- Antonínovo pekařství. A Prague chain of bakeries where the bakers make the dough and bake right in front of the customers. Besides bread, lard rolls, filled koláče and the sweet braided loaves we bake for Christmas, they also serve soups and salads.
- Libeřské lahůdky. A chain of shops hugely popular with Praguers, selling chlebíčky, cakes and, of course, Czech koláče at noticeably more down-to-earth prices than elsewhere. My everyday favorite and the dark horse of this list.
- artic bakehouse. A bonus outside the Czech koláče category: an Icelandic sourdough bakery below Petřín. Take a palm-sized caramel roll to go and eat it a few steps further on, on a bench in Petřín park.
Where to Find the Best Czech Pastries in Prague
My favorite Czech pastry is the větrník, a caramel choux ring - and, surprisingly, the very best one I've had wasn't at a pastry shop but at Výčep restaurant. Of the classic pastry shops, I recommend these two:
Where to Find the Best French Pastries in Prague
- Votre Plaisir. The Hrubecs' pastry shop, focused on flawless desserts inspired by French pâtisserie - macarons, tartlets and made-to-order cakes. Before they opened their brick-and-mortar shop, they sold at farmers' markets (which is where I discovered them too). In my opinion, Votre Plaisir is currently the best French pastry shop in Prague.
Where to Find the Best Ice Cream in Prague
- Crème de la Crème.
- Angelato.
- Puro Gelato. They also have a spot near Náplavka - the perfect way to round off a stroll along the riverbank.
Where to Find the Best Burgers in Prague
- Fatfuck smash burgers.
- Burgerman.
- Mr.HotDoG.
- Bulka Burger Bar.
- Sad Man's Tongue Bar & Bistro.
- Guilty Pleasure.
- Želva beers & burgers.
Where to Find the Best Spanish Food in Prague
- El Camino Restaurant. David Böhm's chef-driven Spanish cooking in Vinohrady, these days served as a shared tasting menu. Spanish hospitality at its finest - every table tends to be taken, so book ahead.
- La Perla de Karlín Restaurant.
- Miró Tapas Bar.
Where to Eat Asian Food in Prague
Asian food is one of my great loves, and Prague is surprisingly rich in it. Its epicenter is the Vietnamese market Sapa in Libuš, where I've been going to eat and shop for more than twenty years - you'll find my ranking of the best restaurants in Sapa and a complete guide to the market on a separate page, Sapa Prague. So where should you go for Asian food outside Sapa?
- Nhà hai hành. For me, a bit of a hidden Vietnamese food gem in Smíchov: chef Tomáš Cibulka came up through Michelin-starred La Degustation and, together with his Vietnamese wife Phương Anh, runs a self-deprecatingly "punk" eatery. The hot pot has to be ordered at least 48 hours in advance - and it's worth it.
- Pho 100 Restaurant. The best phở at Anděl: a flawless broth with Michelin-level polish, and rice noodles made on a machine brought over straight from Hanoi.
- Rice Field Vietnamese Restaurant. Traditional family-style mâm cơm dining in Vinohrady - several dishes on one table, just like at a Vietnamese family dinner.
- BON Fresh Ramen & Soba. Ramen with noodles handmade daily, in a setting built to look like a Japanese alley; you sit on backless plastic stools, but comfort isn't the point here. I'll happily go back to that stool.
- Isai Ramen. Perfect ramen in Dejvice. Most of the other diners were Japanese - I don't think an Asian place can get a better endorsement.
- Takumi Restaurant. A renowned little spot on Senovážné Square; the karaage tan tan ramen was excellent, and the gyoza vanished from the plate before I could even get my phone out.
- Matsuri Restaurant. A Japanese izakaya pub in Letná, specializing in okonomiyaki made by a chef from Osaka.
- Hua Long Zhai Chinese Restaurant. The best Chinese dumplings in Prague, and a charismatic owner with a kung fu past who greets guests herself and helps them choose.
- Chi Xiao Mian. Spicy xiaomian noodles from Chongqing in Vinohrady - but the dreaded extreme heat never came. Either Prague has dialed it down, or the reputation got a little embellished.
- Bonjuk and Dosirak Cafe. Korean classics, from bibimbap to crispy dakgangjeong chicken.
- Shrimii Kitchen. Modern cooking from across Asia: the Ulan Bato noodles are every color of Asia on a single plate.
- Sushi and Japanese classics. My tried-and-tested spots are Yamato, Mash Hana and Katsura.
- Indian food. In Prague it's well represented by Sangam, Namaste, Rangoli, Curry House and Indian by Nature.
- Asian groceries. For a big shop, Tamda Foods in Sapa; for a quick top-up, the unassuming grocery store on Zlatnická Street a few steps from Palladium - with a fridge full of fresh cilantro and perilla.
Where to Find the Best American BBQ in Prague
American BBQ is all about slow, low cooking of meat over hardwood smoke - the meat stays juicy and picks up an unmistakable flavor. In Prague, I recommend trying authentic American BBQ at one of two well-known restaurants:
- Big Smokers. A BBQ restaurant in Prague's Holešovice: pulled pork, pork belly, beef brisket and ribs. I recommend trying several meats with the combo platter - you definitely won't leave hungry or thirsty!
- Hell Smoke BBQ. A restaurant on Prague's Újezd known for its traditional "low and slow" approach: nothing but smoke and heat from hardwood. Perfect pulled pork, beef brisket, pastrami and homemade sausages.
Where to Find Farmers' Markets in Prague
Farmers' markets are the most enjoyable way to taste Prague's street food - and it was at markets that I first discovered some of the places in this guide:
- Náplavka Farmers' Market.
- Jiřák Farmers' Market.
- Kulaťák Farmers' Market.
- Kubáň Farmers' Market.
- Anděl Farmers' Market.
- Tylák Farmers' Market.
More of My Prague Guides
I write about Prague's food scene on an ongoing basis, so some topics have their own regularly updated articles:
- Where to Have Lunch in Prague. My biggest Prague guide: lunches from canteens to Michelin-recognized restaurants.
- Michelin Restaurants in Czechia. The complete list, including the places in Prague.
- Where to Eat St. Martin's Goose in Prague.
- Where to Have Christmas Eve Dinner in Prague.
- Where to Celebrate New Year's Eve in Prague.
Twenty-five years after moving here, I still find Prague inexhaustible - there's always a new place or an old pub I haven't been to yet. My list of places to try grows faster than I can tick them off.
Enjoy eating your way around Prague!
Dejvická 34 Restaurant, Prague: Lunch Menu and a Late Dinner
My third stop at Dejvická 34, chef Tomáš Černý's restaurant and the only Italian place in Czechia holding a Michelin Bib Gourmand. This time it was the lunch menu with mushroom soup, rabbit schnitzel and apple strudel - plus a few à la carte dishes that are served in the evening as the Pozdní dejvická večeře (Late Dejvice Dinner). To top it off, an alcohol-free Riesling from the house where Beethoven once lived.
Michelin Restaurants Czech Republic (Prague): Complete Guide, Contacts (2026)
The Michelin Guide is a prestigious gastronomic ranking that awards extraordinary restaurants around the world. In the Czech Republic, only one restaurant has two stars in 2026 - Papilio. Eight restaurants then have one star - La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise, Field, Casa de Carli, Entrée, Essens, La Villa, Levitate, and Štangl, eighteen other establishments hold the Bib Gourmand award, and another 52 establishments are listed on the Czech Michelin list.
La Veranda Restaurant, Prague: A Tasting Menu Next to a Library of Cookbooks
La Veranda has been cooking modern European food with a Mediterranean base in Prague's Josefov since 2002, and the Michelin guide lists it among its recommended restaurants. Alongside a tasting menu with a wine pairing that names both the suppliers and the winemakers, it draws you in with an unusually cozy interior, a library full of cookbooks - and a kitchen that can make a potato peel shine.
Where to Eat Lunch in Prague (2026)
A big guide to lunch in Prague where I only write about the places I like: Czech classics, canteens serving lunch for under 200 CZK (8 EUR), Vietnamese bistros, ramen and Michelin stars. For each place you get my impressions from the visit, rough prices and hours - over thirty tried-and-tested addresses in one article.
Pot-au-feu Restaurant, Prague: Honest French Cuisine and Jan Kracík's Perfect Sauces
Pot-au-feu is a Prague restaurant focused on traditional French gastronomy. The establishment on Rybná Street is successfully run by chef Jan Kracík, who bets on honest culinary craftsmanship. The foundation of the local cuisine is strong broths and precisely reduced sauces. The renowned specialties include veal sweetbreads with morels or the classic beef bourguignon.
Buddha-Bar Prague: Asian Brunch with Babysitting
The Sunday brunch at Buddha-Bar Prague is a rich Asian buffet with unlimited consumption of food and selected beverages. For 1,599 CZK (64 EUR) per person, guests can taste fresh sushi, oysters, hot Pan-Asian specialties, and diverse desserts. Families with children will certainly appreciate the well-equipped kids' corner with babysitting. The quality and freshness of all dishes are ensured by the experienced Executive Chef Jan Voráček, who has been at the restaurant continuously since its opening.
420 Restaurant, Prague: Even Better Value Than Before. The Experience Near the Astronomical Clock Is Now Much More Affordable
420 Restaurant in Prague's Old Town Square focuses on perfectly executed traditional cuisine. The concept has recently undergone a transformation. The menu has been simplified and food prices have dropped. The establishment has thus taken a very welcoming step toward guests. Today, 420 Restaurant represents an exceptionally attractive choice with an excellent ratio of price to overall experience.
The Artisan Restaurant: Chocolate Brunch at the Marriott Hotel
The Artisan is a modern restaurant in the Prague Marriott Hotel that hosts brunches every Sunday. The theme changes every week, so the visitor can experience a brunch focused on, for example, a Czech pig feast, burgers, caramel, or wild garlic.
Papilio Restaurant ⭐⭐, Vysoký Újezd: Jan Knedla and His Perfection
Papilio Restaurant in Vysoký Újezd represents the peak of contemporary Czech gastronomy under the leadership of Jan Knedla. The ambitious establishment builds on the rich experience of the chef, who connects French technical precision with Asian sophistication and respect for local ingredients. Knedla's signature style is characterized by visual perfection, a play with textures, and the use of luxury ingredients. After triumphing in the Gault&Millau guide, the restaurant is on track to win prestigious Michelin stars.
Vallmo Restaurant, Prague: Great Tasting Menu for a Steal
In the Praha Vallmo Restaurant, Chef Dan Kukačka connects Czech culinary roots with pure Nordic simplicity. Dan Kukačka, who went through the school of the legendary Alcron. The poppy motif permeates the menu. Flexible wine pairing gives space to Moravian winemakers as well as interesting foreign wines.