Best places to eat like a local in Prague

Jeremy Foster

Prague might not be the first place that comes to mind as a foodie destination in Europe, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much the Czech Republic capital has to offer. Some of my best encounters happened over a plate of smoked meat while chatting up some Czech locals at a beer hall, or accidentally stumbling upon a healthy food market serving up the freshest, tastiest salads I’ve ever had. This list has everything you’ll need to eat and drink like a local, whether it’s artisanal sandwiches, cheap and delicious beers, tasty pastries, or traditional Czech fare. There’s no excuse to have a bad meal in Prague!

Zahradní restaurace Letenský zámeček, Lokál U Bílé kuželky, Trdelnik, Country Life Restaurant, Restaurant Mlýnec, U Fleků, La Degustation, V Kolkovně, Café Louvre, Restaurant Zvonice, Mozaika Burger & Co., Naše maso, Sisters Bistro v Dlouhé, Perníčkův sen, Farmers' Saturday market

  • Zahradní restaurace Letenský zámeček, Czech Republic

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    • travelfreak

      The food is nothing special here (although the sausages are cheap and yummy), but you can’t beat the view. Grab a picnic table and a beer, sit under the shade of a tree, and take in the sweeping views over Prague.

  • Lokál U Bílé kuželky, Czech Republic

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    • travelfreak

      If you want to sample some hardy Czech dishes, visit Lokál and try the goulash and dumplings. All of the smoked meats here come from the restaurant’s very own butcher shop.

  • Trdelnik, Czech Republic

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    • travelfreak

      Trdelník is a traditional type of chimney cake with a light crispy cinnamon-sugar pastry on the outside and a soft cinnamon-sugar and nut mixture in the center. You’ll find them at stands all over the city, including on the road up to the castle.

  • Country Life Restaurant, Czech Republic

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    • travelfreak

      Looking for all-vegan foods? This is Prague’s first-ever vegan shop, now turned into a self-service cafeteria and sandwich bar with tasty goulash, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, sunflower seed burgers, and more.

  • Restaurant Mlýnec, Czech Republic

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    • travelfreak

      Restaurant Mlýnec is the most popular contemporary restaurant in Prague, with high-end dishes, fancy cocktails, live jazz music, and a view over the Charles Bridge.

  • U Fleků, Czech Republic

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    • travelfreak

      U Fleků is the oldest beer hall in Prague, where you’ll bump shoulders with the locals over liters of beers while eating traditional foods (like heaping plates of meat).

  • La Degustation, Czech Republic

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    • travelfreak

      A high-end Michelin-starred restaurant, this place has a strong focus on foraged foods and local game. You should definitely splurge on the set menu with wine pairing.

  • V Kolkovně, Czech Republic

    • travelfreak

      You can’t pass up a visit to this small brewery in the Jewish Quarter which also offers Czech food. The roast duck is a must-try!

  • Café Louvre, Czech Republic

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    • travelfreak

      This is the oldest cafe in Prague, where you can try svíčková na smetaně, which is a traditional dish of beef sirloin served with a cream sauce, traditional bread dumplings, and cranberries.

  • Restaurant Zvonice, Czech Republic

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    • travelfreak

      Order a piping hot bowl of classic sauerkraut soup at this restaurant inside the Gothic bell tower of the belfry, right in the middle of the Old Town.

  • Mozaika Burger & Co., Czech Republic

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    • travelfreak

      The classic Mozaika burger is the go-to, topped with blue cheese, onion marmalade, and bacon mayo -- but my personal favorite is the pesto chicken burger.

  • Naše maso

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    • travelfreak

      Nase Maso means “our meat” - so as you might have guessed, this butchery is where you come for the finest aged-and-dried cuts. The sausages are always a sure bet.

  • Sisters Bistro v Dlouhé, Czech Republic

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    • travelfreak

      Open-faced sandwiches with inventive pairings are served here, including fresh bread topped with pickled herring with radish, mayo, and wasabi.

  • Perníčkův sen

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    • travelfreak

      This adorable sweets stop even looks like a gingerbread house from the outside. Gingerbread is a popular treat in the Czech Republic, so come here for cookies, cakes, and other sweet bites.

  • Farmers' Saturday market

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    • travelfreak

      Located right on the river, every Saturday morning you can browse for treats like fresh bread, homemade granola, and local fruits.