Czech cuisine may not be as internationally famous as the culinary traditions of Italy or Spain, but travelers will be surprised by the rich flavors and hearty dishes Prague has to offer. From traditional entrees like Svíčková and Guláš to the sweet treat Trdelník, you’ll be delighted by Prague’s diverse and delicious food scene.
While many traditional Czech dishes are meat-focused, vegans, vegetarians, and pescatarians will still find plenty of options. As someone who follows a mainly vegetarian diet, with the occasional seafood meal, I was worried that I would struggle to find a decent meal in Prague. To my pleasant surprise, Prague has numerous vegetarian restaurants, and most regular restaurants offer at least one dish that is either seafood or vegetarian.
Having splurged on lodging (I paid extra for the tour’s single supplement) and a seat in premium economy, I looked for relatively inexpensive eateries for meals not included in the tour. Fortunately, my hotel, the Leon d’Oro, located in the heart of Old Town, was near many restaurants, including some great options for budget-conscious travelers. For lunch and dinner, my go-to places were Bageterie Boulevard and Maitrea, two restaurants that offered delicious food at affordable prices. This guide will share info on those two amazing eateries and other wonderful meals travelers can enjoy while in Prague!
I recommend travelers avoid restaurants located right on Old Town Square. I noticed those charged higher prices and catered mainly to tourists.
Unlike the United States, tipping is not “strongly suggested” in Czechia. In many restaurants, when paying with a credit card, there is no option to leave a tip on the receipt. In these cases, it is best to tip in cash and give it directly to your waiter.
Note: Prices listed are the amounts I paid in USD, based on the exchange rate between May 23rd and 29th, 2024. Tips are not included in the cost.
Café Šternberk – Mezi řádky
I am listing this place first because of its wonderful mission. This chain of cafés and bistros hires locals with disabilities, offering them the opportunity to learn and grow.
Mezi řádky has several locations, and the one I stumbled upon is tucked away in a courtyard inside Šternberský Palace (in Hradčany Square next to Prague Castle).
I found this café in between visits to the art galleries at Schwarzenberg Palace & Šternberský Palace. It was around lunchtime on a Saturday afternoon, and it was not crowded. I ordered an iced latte, a sundried tomato and black olive quiche, and a plum crumble. The quiche was absolutely delicious!!
If you’re looking for a great place to escape the crowds and warm weather after visiting Castle Prague or the art museums, I recommend stopping by Café Šternberk – Mezi řádky. Note that this location is closed on Mondays.
Cost: $8.50
Bageterie Boulevard
I discovered this sandwich shop upon arriving in Prague and was looking for a quick bite after a 26-hour journey. Part of a local chain, Bageterie Boulevard serves sandwiches, soups, salads, various sides, and delicious desserts. There was a location near my hotel, and given that my hotel room had a terrace with a view, I always opted to take my food to go. Nothing beats outdoor dining with a view!
I recommend Bageterie Boulevard to travelers seeking a quick, inexpensive, and fresh meal. I visited this eatery three times, and on each occasion, I was satisfied with my meal. The tuna subs were especially delicious, and considerably better than those I’ve eaten in the U.S. As for the salmon sub, I was expecting something similar to the salmon found in “bagels and lox”, but this salmon had a weird texture. And the desserts were all great, with the chocolate-filled croissant being my favorite!
Cost: $10.50 (tuna sub, drink, dessert); $13.18 (salmon sub, drink, side); $ 10.54 (tuna sub, drink, dessert)
Kogo Havelská
Located a few blocks from Old Town Square, Kogo Havelská is an Italian restaurant that offers a taste of Italy in Prague. I chose this restaurant for a late dinner based on customer reviews, menu options, and its convenient location right next to my hotel. Despite it being 8:30 PM on a Saturday, Kogo Havelská was not crowded.
I am a fan of risotto, so for my meal, I ordered the risotto mare e monti (risotto with shrimp and porcini mushrooms). The shrimp and mushrooms were well prepared and plentiful, but the dish was saltier than I prefer. To drink, I ordered a lemonade, which was tart and refreshing. While my dish wasn’t perfect, my tourmates who visited Kogo Havelská say they really enjoyed the pasta dishes they ordered. Regarding other aspects, this restaurant provided excellent customer service and a pleasant atmosphere.
Cost: $20.82 (food and drink)
Maitrea
Maitrea is a wonderful vegetarian restaurant located one block from Old Town Square. When searching for the best vegetarian restaurants in Prague, Maitrea was consistently listed in every guidebook and on every must-try list. On my first visit, the hostess shared that the downstairs area was better, and she was correct. It was a very peaceful area with some lovely water features and plants. This restaurant was truly an oasis from the hustle and bustle of the crowds!!
I had looked at the menu before my trip and was eager to try one of Maitrea’s best sellers – the avocado salad. This salad is a delicious mix of avocado, marinated tofu, bell pepper, sun-dried tomatoes, arugula, and rice miso-sesame dressing sprinkled with hemp seeds and set on a bed of nachos. It was honestly one of the best salads I’ve ever eaten! The salad was very flavorful and fresh. Since I was craving a cold drink with a kick of caffeine, I ordered their iced coffee, which is sweetened with maple syrup.
On my second visit, I went with a fellow tourmate, and we both ordered the iced coffee and avocado salad. She too loved the food at Maitrea and agreed it was a great place to escape the heat and crowds.
I highly recommend this restaurant even if you are not a vegetarian! They have an excellent selection of soups, salads, and entrees. One of my servers shared that the restaurant does get busy during dinner, so it’ll be best to make reservations.
Cost: $17.64 (food and drink)
Restaurace U Mecenáše
The meal at Restaurace U Mecenáše was the tour group’s “Welcome to Prague” dinner. Located in Malá Strana (Lesser Town), just a short distance from Charles Bridge, this restaurant specializes in traditional Czech cuisine. It also has a fun, laid-back atmosphere, making it a great spot after a long day of sightseeing.
The group’s meal consisted of a drink, salad, entrée, and dessert. For a drink, I ordered my usual, a lemonade, and was given a flavorful raspberry lemonade. The vegetarian option was a bowl of roasted potatoes and veggies, and for non-vegetarians, dinner was the Svíčková, a traditional dish of braised beef with dumplings and cranberries. To end the meal, the group was treated to a dessert of apple strudel with plum and molasses puree. Overall, the meal was good, and the dessert was scrumptious; it was flavorful but not too sweet!
My tourmates all enjoyed their meal at U Mecenáše, and when my parents visited the restaurant in 2023, they too thought the food and experience were excellent. While vegetarian options are limited, and there is only one seafood dish, I still recommend this restaurant due to the quality of the food and the great service.
Cost: This dinner was part of the tour.
Pizzeria Pulcinella
Nestled at the end of an alley near Old Town Square, Pizzeria Pulcinella is a cozy Italian eatery with a charming courtyard adorned with string lights and pictures of Italy. I stumbled across this restaurant while a fellow tourmate and I meandered through the streets of Old Town looking for a delicious and inexpensive meal.
Pizzeria Pulcinella has an extensive menu, including several risotto dishes, but that evening, I was in the mood for pizza. I ordered the raspberry lemonade, which came with mint leaves, and the funghi pizza (tomatoes, mozzarella, mushrooms). Overall, the meal was excellent – the lemonade was very flavorful, and the pizza had a wonderful thin crust and a generous amount of mozzarella and mushrooms. Aside from the good food, Pizzeria Pulcinella also provides guests with great service; we were promptly seated by the host, and we did not have to wait long for our drinks or pizza.
Cost: $17.15 (note that this restaurant charges a 10% service fee)
Národní Kavárna
A short walk from Old Town Square, travelers will discover Národní Kavárna, an elegant café that blends traditional Czech dishes with modern fare. This dinner was the tour’s “Farewell to Prague” meal, so I traded my usual lemonade for a glass of wine to celebrate a wonderful 5 days in the city.
Our dinner consisted of a soup, an entrée, and a dessert. The soup of the day was a split pea soup that was very comforting and hearty. My vegetarian entrée was a bowl of pasta with fresh tomatoes tossed in olive oil, while my tourmates enjoyed a dish of chicken schnitzel. To end the meal, we were offered a panna cotta that was light and refreshing – a perfect way to end a heavy meal.
I recommend Národní Kavárna to travelers seeking a more elevated dining experience or a romantic dinner spot.
Cost: This dinner was part of the tour.
Chimney Cake
There was no escaping the chimney cake in Prague! Known locally as Trdelník, this portable dessert is sold in numerous stalls across the city. According to our tour guide, the chimney cake originated in Hungary but has now become popular in other parts of Europe.
During my last day in Prague, I decided to stop by one of the many stalls near my hotel to buy a chimney cake. I opted for the number 9, which is a chimney cake topped with a Lotus graham biscuit, ice cream, and a drizzle of caramel (I think it was caramel). There was also another biscuit in the chimney cake itself. Overall, the chimney cake was good, but it did not live up to the hype. While the ice cream and biscuits were delicious, the cake part of the dessert was dry and had a somewhat stale taste. My friend who visited Prague in 2023 absolutely loved the chimney cakes, so maybe I just selected a stall that wasn’t that great.
Cost: $8.40
Staroměstský Pivovar U Supa
Our tour guide planned a lovely surprise for the group, taking us to Staroměstský Pivovar to sample the local pivo (the Czech word for beer). I am usually not a beer drinker, but I enjoyed the experience, and I will say that some of the samples were quite good! A few of the beers were not placed in the correct number slot, so I was not always 100% sure which beer I was trying. My tourmate Roy and I paired off as sampling buddies, and I think we did a pretty good job of almost finishing our set! 🍺
Staroměstský Pivovar, Prague’s oldest brewery and inn, is situated near Old Town Square and just a stone’s throw away from the Obecní Dům (Municipal House). The brewery does provide food, but during our visit, the group just sampled the beer. I highly recommend Staroměstský Pivovar to travelers seeking a great place to hang out and enjoy some cold pivo. Cheers to Prague!! 🍻
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