The best restaurants in Prague
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Dining in Prague is dramatically different depending on the season: long winters are spent sheltering in cosy cellar pubs and restaurants. In warmer times, dining on the street or on a river terrace adds a lovely bohemian dimension to the city’s increasingly international cuisine, which still remains highly affordable by western European standards. Then there's the selection of fine Czech beers, practically cheaper than water.
Eating out now offers far more range and satisfaction than ever, with vegetarian, Middle Eastern, Asian and even Latino cuisine on hand in downtown districts and in Vinohrady. Here are the best restaurants in Prague, chosen by our destination experts Will Tizard and Paul Sullivan.
Old Town
La Dégustation Bohême Bourgeoise
This culinary shrine, overseen by star chef Oldřich Sahajdák, won a Michelin star for its unique style of parading precious locally sourced courses to the table, including snails with leek, pigeon with cranberries and plum jam, and boar nestled in juniper. The menu is a fixed eight-course affair, but the kitchen can be flexible with individual wishes. The small but attractive dining room – all spotlighted tables and attentive, friendly waiters – also decants the finest local pinots and sauvignons alongside considered selections from Austria, France and Hungary.
Contact:00 420 222 311 234; ladegustation.cz
Prices: £££
Opening times: Tue-Sun, 6pm-12am
Reservations: Essential
Best table: Request seats near the show kitchen
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Divinis
American film stars shooting in Prague tend to be a fussy lot – hence, they are sent here to feast on Czech television chef Zdeněk Pohlreich’s fabulous creations, such as roe deer saddle with mushroom ragout. Simpler but equally memorable dishes include shrimp risotto, roast beef and osso bucco, all served up expertly with a glass of good pinot grigio from Trentino. It’s always undergoing a redesign yet somehow manages to still be homely and welcoming. Despite being surrounded by worthy rivals, it still takes bookings – be sure to do so well in advance.
Contact: 00 420 222 325 440; divinis.cz
Opening times: Mon-Sat, 6pm-1am
Prices: ££
Reservations: Essential
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Lokál Dlouhááá
This centrally located restaurant is dedicated to reviving the best of Czech tradition at prices even local students can afford. Thus, it's in high demand for goulash, pork, dumplings (both bread-based and fruit-filled for afters) and a golden pour of pivo, or beer. A bustling but friendly scene can be expected, with long, low wooden tables and a truly local crowd. The menu changes every day, but there’s always something cheap and filling, including interesting local dishes such as fried cheese with tartare sauce and rabbit liver fried in butter.
Contact:00 420 222 316 265; lokal-dlouha.ambi.cz
Prices: £
Opening times: Mon-Sat, 11am-1am; Sun, 11am-12am
Reservations: Not necessary
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CottoCrudo
The Four Seasons’ warm and inviting Italian dining room impresses with dark wooden floors, colourful, contemporary artworks and stylish amber lamps hanging next to rows of ham hocks and Italian cheeses. Chef Leonardo Di Clemente oversees a top-notch menu of authentic Old World specialities, from beef cheek with juniper berry to cinnamon squab with chestnut puree, alongside simpler pasta and risotto dishes. The excellent wine list stretches to over 300 varieties, and service is exceptionally attentive and friendly.
Contact: 00 420 221 426 880; cottocrudo.cz
Opening times: Mon-Sun 7am-11.30am, 12pm-5pm, 6pm-10.30pm.
Prices: ££
Reservations: Recommended
Best table: A few tables on the outdoor terrace have views over the river and Prague Castle – be sure to book in advance
Malá Strana
Hergetova Cihelna
The restaurant is situated on the Vltava river bank overlooking the Charles Bridge; its terrace is the place to be on a warm Prague evening. The cuisine is casual and eclectic, making this establishment an international favourite for both splash-out meetings and romantic meals – the crawfish appetisers are ideal for sharing with friends, while heartier fare like roast duck with cabbage compote is balanced by lighter and more easy-going options, which includes mushroom soup and pizza. The drinks menu is equally varied, with Czech beers and Moravian wines, as well as a good range of teas and soft drinks.
Contact:00 420 296 826 103; kampagroup.com
Prices: £-££
Opening times: Daily, 11.30am-4pm, 6pm-1am
Reservations: Recommended
Best table: Bag a table on the outdoor terrace for memorable views over the river and Charles Bridge
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Café Savoy
This old European-style café on the left bank has been lovingly restored to its 19th-century glory, with locals flocking here for brunch, which consists of fresh breads, melt-in-your-mouth Prague ham and creamy coffee, served beneath ornate high ceilings peppered with handsome chandeliers. It’s part of the Czech Ambiente group of restaurants, which have won praise from local and international critics. The crowd is artsy and bohemian – especially around lunchtime, when specials such as smoked meat dumplings are served; and into the afternoon, when it's all about the cakes. Staff are, for the most part, friendly and efficient.
Contact: 00 420 257 311 562; cafesavoy.ambi.cz
Prices: £
Opening times: Mon-Fri, 8am-10.30pm; Sat-Sun, 9am-10.30pm
Reservations: Recommended for weekends
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New Town
Estrella
Meat-loving Prague was still known for its lack of plant-based dining options just a few years ago, but since then, many great vegetarian spots have opened – with Estrella being one of the most pioneering. The white-walled interiors, decorated with moss and hanging kokedamas, is soothing and charming, and the cuisine is local, seasonal and thoroughly contemporary in presentation and taste. Dashes of global flavour permeate most dishes, whether it’s the classic beetroot and tofu burger, Thai curry, Mexican quesadillas or risotto with saffron or mushrooms. The desserts and drinks list (packed with international wines and local craft beers) are also good. The daily lunch offers are decent value.
Contact: 00 420 777 431 344, estrellarestaurant.cz
Prices: £
Opening hours: Daily, 11.30am-11pm
Reservations: Recommended
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Portfolio Restaurant
Portfolio, one of the newer high-end restaurants in the city, is an intimate temple of contemporary design (bold patterned carpets, oak tables, slick dining chairs) set inside the historic Lann Palace. It’s best known for the five-course tasting menu, which prides itself on fresh and seasonal ingredients from Czech producers and features dishes such as yellowfin tuna, sautéed duck liver foie gras and red fish fillet. There’s also a regular menu with vegetarian options (quiche, tamarind tofu), a great selection of Moravian and Bohemian wines and memorable desserts, such as chocolate fondant with cardamom and sour cherries.
Contact: 00 420 224 267 579, portfolio-restaurant.cz
Prices: ££-£££
Opening times: Mon-Fri, 11.30-11pm; Sat 12pm-11pm
Reservations: Essential
Vinohrady
Tuan & Lan Pho Vietnam
Prague’s long-established Vietnamese community has enriched the city’s Asian food offerings, with cheap and cheerful street-food buffets such as this one. It has locals queuing outside the door, waiting for steaming bowls of phở bò, a spicy beef noodle soup with green beans, phở gà (the chicken version), and nem lụi, the popular lemongrass pork skewers. There are also vegetarian items, and takeaway is available. The inside is mainly standing room only, but street tables appear during the spring and summer season. Avoid lunchtimes if you don’t like waiting.
Contact: 00 420 774 167 786; facebook.com/photuanlan
Prices: £
Opening times: Mon-Sat, 11am-10pm
Reservations: Walk-ins only
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Aromi
This well-established and warm-hearted restaurant offers minimalist interiors, featuring natural wooden floors, chocolate-coloured walls matched to grey and green designer chairs, and an eye-catching bar clad in golden squares. The menu, setting the standard for great Italian food in the city, leans heavily towards seafood (including a regular catch of the day); visitors can expect such expertly made creations as smoked cod with white beans and guanciale, a tender tuna carpaccio, plus a smattering of Italian classics such as lasagne, pasta and risotto – all as immaculately presented as the restaurant itself.
Contact: 00 420 222 713 222; aromi.cz
Prices: ££
Opening times: Mon-Sat, 12pm-3pm, 5-11pm; Sun, 12pm-10pm
Reservations: Recommended
Prague city break guide
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