Best Restaurants in Prague to Suit Every Craving

Prague, the capital of Czechia, is known for its medieval architecture, cobblestone streets and historic landmarks, but the city also has an increasingly varied dining scene. Traditional pubs and grand cafés share the capital with modern bakeries, vegan restaurants, riverside dining rooms and Michelin-starred tasting-menu destinations.

This guide covers the best restaurants in Prague for different budgets, diets and occasions. Among the best places to eat in Prague, you will find Czech dumplings, freshly poured lager, sourdough bread, plant-based versions of local dishes and refined contemporary cuisine.

Exploring neighbourhoods such as Old Town, Malá Strana, Karlín, Vinohrady and New Town is easier without heavy luggage. Qeepl provides convenient luggage storage around Prague, allowing you to leave your bags or suitcases in a secure location before heading to lunch or dinner. Prices start from €6.69 per bag per day.

What Should You Know About Food in Prague?

Traditional Czech cuisine is hearty and closely connected to pork, beef, duck, potatoes, cabbage and root vegetables. Thick sauces, roasted meat and dumplings appear frequently, particularly in traditional pubs and neighbourhood restaurants.

One of the best-known dishes is svíčková, beef served with a creamy root-vegetable sauce, bread dumplings and cranberries. Other familiar options include guláš, a paprika-seasoned meat stew, and vepřo knedlo zelo, roast pork served with dumplings and sauerkraut.

Bread dumplings, known as houskové knedlíky, are commonly used to absorb sauces and gravies. Potato dumplings, fried cheese, schnitzel, roast duck and open-faced sandwiches called chlebíčky are also widely available.

Beer is an important part of Prague’s dining culture. Traditional pubs often serve pale lager alongside substantial Czech dishes, while newer bars and restaurants may offer beer from smaller regional breweries.

Lunch is commonly eaten between noon and 2 p.m., and many restaurants offer a shorter weekday lunch menu. Dinner generally begins between 6 and 8 p.m. Kitchens may close earlier than visitors expect, so checking current service hours is useful.

Prices vary widely between informal pubs, cafés and fine-dining restaurants. Any price examples below are approximate and may change over time.

Best Affordable Restaurants in Prague

Prague offers traditional pubs, bakeries, cafés and informal restaurants where visitors can try Czech cooking without choosing a formal tasting menu.

1. Lokál Dlouhááá

Lokál Dlouhááá is a lively Czech pub in Old Town operated by the Ambiente restaurant group.

The menu focuses on freshly prepared Czech dishes such as schnitzel, goulash, fried cheese and roast meat, accompanied by carefully poured Pilsner Urquell. The long shared dining room becomes especially busy during lunch and in the evening.

2. U Kroka

U Kroka is a family-run restaurant near Vyšehrad that specialises primarily in Czech cuisine.

The menu includes dumplings, meat dishes, sauces, soups and seasonal specials prepared in a relaxed neighbourhood setting. Reservations are recommended because the relatively small dining room is frequently full.

3. Café Savoy

Café Savoy is a grand café near the Vltava River, known for its ornate historic interior and in-house pastry production.

The menu covers breakfast, lunch and dinner and includes eggs, open-faced sandwiches, Czech dishes, cakes and traditional pastries. It is more polished than a casual pub but remains accessible for breakfast, coffee or a light meal.

4. Kantýna

Kantýna combines a butcher shop, restaurant and informal canteen-style dining room in central Prague.

The concept centres on Czech beef and pork, with meat selected at the counter and prepared over an open fire or served in traditional cooked dishes. Guests record their orders on a card and pay before leaving.

5. Eska

Eska is a bakery and restaurant in Karlín that combines traditional techniques with contemporary Czech cooking.

The bakery produces sourdough bread and pastries, while the kitchen uses local grains, fermented ingredients, vegetables and meat in creative dishes. It is particularly popular for breakfast, brunch and an informal lunch.

Top Vegetarian Restaurants in Prague

Prague’s vegetarian scene includes long-running meat-free restaurants, completely vegan Czech cooking and casual plant-based cafés.

1. Lehká Hlava

Lehká Hlava is a vegetarian and vegan restaurant in Prague’s Old Town that has served meat-free food since 2005.

Its menu combines Czech, Mediterranean, Asian and Latin American influences. Many dishes are vegan or gluten-free, and the colourful interior with a starry ceiling creates a distinctive setting close to Charles Bridge.

2. Maitrea

Maitrea is a vegetarian restaurant near Old Town Square and a sister establishment to Lehká Hlava.

The menu includes soups, burgers, curries, salads and vegetarian interpretations of international comfort food. Vegan options are clearly represented, while the lower-level dining room provides a calm retreat from the busy surrounding streets.

3. Střecha

Střecha is a completely vegan restaurant and social enterprise in New Town.

The restaurant prepares plant-based versions of familiar Czech dishes alongside burgers, daily specials and desserts. It also creates employment opportunities for people who have experienced homelessness or imprisonment.

4. Palo Verde Bistro

Palo Verde Bistro is a fully plant-based bistro on Žitná Street in New Town.

The menu may include vegan breakfasts, burgers, homemade pasta, bowls, tapas and desserts. Its modern interior, garden seating and long opening hours make it suitable for brunch, coffee or a relaxed evening meal.

5. Loving Hut

Loving Hut is a casual vegan restaurant group with several locations around Prague, including a central branch inside OC Quadrio.

The selection generally includes Asian-inspired curries, noodle dishes, soups, rice plates and plant-based desserts. Its self-service format and relatively accessible pricing make it practical for a quick lunch.

Romantic Restaurants in Prague

Historic buildings, rooftop terraces and river views give Prague many attractive settings for anniversaries and special evenings.

1. Terasa U Zlaté studně

Terasa U Zlaté studně occupies the upper floors of the Golden Well Hotel below Prague Castle.

Its terraces offer panoramic views across the rooftops of Malá Strana and the city centre. Chef Lukáš Hlaváček presents seasonal tasting menus that combine Czech ingredients with contemporary European techniques.

2. La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise

La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise is an intimate tasting-menu restaurant in Prague’s Old Town.

The kitchen draws inspiration from historic Czech recipes and reinterprets them through precise modern techniques. The restaurant holds one Michelin star, and its compact dining room is especially suited to a long celebratory dinner.

3. V Zátiší

V Zátiší is a long-established fine-dining restaurant located on a quiet Old Town street.

Its menus combine Czech ingredients with international influences, while the art-filled interior and attentive service create a polished but intimate atmosphere. Tasting menus and wine pairings are available.

4. Mlýnec

Mlýnec is located beside the Vltava River near Charles Bridge.

The restaurant serves contemporary Czech and international cuisine based on seasonal ingredients. Large windows and terrace seating provide close views of the bridge, making evening reservations particularly attractive.

5. CottoCrudo

CottoCrudo is an Italian restaurant inside the Four Seasons Hotel Prague.

The menu includes handmade pasta, seafood, Italian starters and grilled meat. Its riverside location offers views towards Prague Castle, while the refined dining room and seasonal terrace suit romantic dinners and special occasions.

Are There Michelin Star Restaurants in Prague?

Yes. The official Michelin Guide currently lists five one-Michelin-star restaurants in Prague.

The city’s starred selection includes contemporary Czech cooking, Italian cuisine, seasonal tasting menus and restaurants combining Asian, Nordic and Central European influences.

The current Michelin-starred restaurants in Prague are:

• Field — one Michelin star. Field serves contemporary tasting menus built around seasonal produce and precise modern presentation.

• La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise — one Michelin star. La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise reinterprets traditional Czech recipes through a modern tasting-menu format.

• LEVITATE — one Michelin star. LEVITATE combines Czech ingredients with Asian spices and Nordic-inspired culinary techniques.

• Štangl — one Michelin star. Štangl presents seasonal cooking in an open-kitchen restaurant located above the Eska bakery in Karlín.

• Casa De Carli — one Michelin star. Casa De Carli is led by chef Matteo De Carli and specialises in refined northern Italian cooking, handmade pasta and tasting menus.

Michelin distinctions may change with each edition of the guide, so diners should confirm the latest status before booking.