Prague was our first European trip in a while. We booked a few days in the Czech Republic's capital for December, and straight away I started researching food. I knew that Czech cuisine would be like nothing we've ever had before, and I couldn't wait to hit the Christmas markets and tuck into hearty plates full of fluffy dumplings.
If you're a foodie after my own heart, you'll enjoy this round up of what and where to eat in Prague!
U Prince Hotel Rooftop Bar
We all love a bar with a view right? U Prince Hotel is located right in the heart of Old Town Square, overlooking the Astronomical Clock and Old Town Hall. The rooftop terrace is covered and heated in the winter so no need to worry about the weather. This is meant to be a foodie guide but actually we'd been advised the food isn't great here but to grab a drink for the view anyway. I'd recommend going close to the hour so you can view the 15th century clock and it's 12 apostles in action.
Also, we didn't go, but I've heard good things about the Black Angels Bar in U Prince's basement!
Staroměstské náměstí 29, Praha 1
Sausages at Wenceslas Square
So the first food that came to mind when I thought of Prague, was German-like street food sausages. The best place we found for this experience was at the bottom of Wenceslas Square, on our way home from a cocktail bar crawl. I recommend the klobása - a Czech style spicy pork sausage flavoured with paprika and garlic.
Nobody is expecting the best quality at these kind of stands but they're an ideal (and cheap!) snack to soak up some booze. If you want a more "up market" sausage experience, check out Nase Maso - a butchery that serves their meat ready for you to eat right there.
Trdelník at Old Town Square
Okay, this one is a little controversial. The locals will tell you not to eat these sugary cones of pastry dreams. They're "touristy" and over priced. I don't care, they looked delicious. While I would have liked a bit more Nutella in mine, and probably wouldn't bother ordering one again, it's kind of a must try. Wash it down with a cup of Glühwein for the ultimate Christmas market experience!
Chicken Schnitzel and Beer Please - Pivo Prosím!
Beer is big business in Czechia and you can't come to Prague and not try some. It's also crazy cheap - if you go to the right places! Avoid any bars or restaurants on the main squares. We paid almost the same price for one meal at James Dean's near Old Town Square as we did for a whole days worth of food elsewhere in the city!
The Czech word for beer is pivo (pronounced pee-voh) and it's a word worth learning. Pilsners are most popular, with Staropramen and Pilsner Urquell being two of the biggest brand names. Gordon made his way through quite a few of these during our visit, but also enjoyed a Bohemian pale ale called Two Tales, and a beer flight from the Prague Beer Museum at Peace Square - which FYI had the best and most local Christmas market we found. Not going to lie, the "museum" was a bit of a let down as it's actually just a bar. However, we did have some chicken schnitzel for lunch here which is a must try dish!
Kolache at Cukrar Skala
Kolache is a traditional poppy seed cake that I had to try after seeing them on Taste of Prague's feed. We found them with a sour cherry filling at Cukrar Skala - a patisserie with two central locations. The easiest to find is on Dlouha Street, but the one we stopped at in Sporkovsky Palace was much bigger. The kolache weren't as sweet as I'd expected, with the poppy seed giving an unusual taste. If you'd prefer a more sugary Czech treat, try the delicious kremrole filled with meringue instead! They also serve tea and coffee so it's perfect for breakfast on the go.
Dlouhá 727/39 110 00 Praha 1
EMA Espresso Bar
Speaking of breakfast, EMA Espresso Bar was our go to. Coffee fans will love it (for obvious reasons) but it was the Czech buchty that kept me coming back! They don't serve breakfast dishes as such but EMA was right around the corner from our hotel and these sweet buns filled with plum jam were absolutely delicious!
Na Florenci 3, Praha 1
Café Imperial
If you do fancy a more English style breakfast, get yourself to the institution that is Café Imperial! An art deco gem, the hotel's café gets pretty busy but we managed to walk in and get seated fairly quickly. I had the English breakfast of toast, eggs, bacon, beans and sausage, while he went for the American version with hash browns. It's on the pricier side but the service was impeccable and it's well worth the experience!
Na Poříčí 15, Praha 110 00
Lokál Dlouhá
When it comes to trying the local cuisine, you can't beat Lokal. Beer is served straight from the tank and costs just 42CZK - that's £1.40! The food is just as cheap and service is super quick. It's a traditional, canteen style restaurant so don't expect fancy surroundings but this adds to the experience.
I highly recommend trying the Pilsner beef goulash or sirloin served in cream sauce with perfectly tarte cranberry on the side. Of course a side of dumplings to soak it all up is crucial! You should try both the potato and bread versions, but we preferred the bread dumplings. These two dishes, two sides of dumplings, a couple of beers and a cider cost us less than £20 at Lokal!
Dlouhá 33, Prague
Haštalský Dědek
If you can't get a seat at Lokal Dlouha, head straight through the restaurant and out the door at the other end, turn right and you'll find Haštalský Dědek. We discovered this place on our final night in Prague and wished we'd found it sooner. It was even cheaper than Lokal (24CZK for a beer - that's like 80p!) and their black beer beef goulash comes with bacon dumplings! Enough said.
Haštalská 20, Prague
Manifesto Market
If you've been reading Dinner Stories for a while, you'll know we are serious street food fans. Luckily enough we stumbled across Manifesto Market in Prague, just along the street from the Motel One we stayed in. 27 containers house a mix of food and drink vendors, alongside retail pop ups - Gordon loved the Harley Davidson one!
Cosy seating areas with warm blankets are housed in igloos with lots of fairy lights and foliage creating the perfect festival vibe. We spotted everything from gourmet burgers oozing with cheese, to Argentinean empinadas packed with chorizo, and mountains of faency fries! There's beers, mulled wine, ciders and cocktails - you name it, they've got it.
Manifesto is completely cashless, so have your credit card ready and go hungry!
Na Florenci, 110 00 Prague-Nové Město
Sisters
This bright and modern café will pop up again and again when researching where to eat in Prague. The concept is simple - they offer a range of Chlebíčky (open sandwiches) and they do them incredibly well! We shared a platter for lunch. Gordon's favourite was the smoked salmon and cream cheese, but I'm obsessed with the roast beef!
Dlouhá 39, Praha 1 110 00
Roast duck at Stara Praha
Okay, this is not the most attractive dish but roast duck with red cabbage and dumplings is another popular, traditional Czech meal. I tucked into this at Stara Praha - a cosy, authentic eatery near the much recommended (and much more expensive) Café Savoy. Head this way from the John Lennon wall, stop for a tasty lunch and then carry on across the river to see the Dancing House!
Vítězná 11, Praha 150 00
Grilled Cheese and Bread Bowl Soup!
We actually tried these on a day trip to Kutna Hora to see the bone church, but if you see them on a menu in Prague - order them! There's nothing more exciting than an edible bowl right? Even better when it's filled with a creamy mushroom, potato and sausage packed Moravian soup.
Pickled cheeses are a popular snack in Prague, but the gooey smoked cheese fried and served with tartare sauce was much more appealing to us! Highly recommend.
The food in Prague is hearty, warming, filling and delicious! Make sure you try as many local delicacies as you can. If you're struggling to know where to go, my top tip is to head to Dlouha Street. It's only a short walk from Old Town Square but you'll find Lokal, Sisters, Nase Maso (the butcher) and Cukrar Skala there.
Don't be afraid to wander down alleys between shops and cafes - they often lead to hidden gems and gorgeous little courtyards. Head down the lane between Nase Maso and Sisters, and you'll find a whole host of funky little eateries. Plus it leads to the street where Haštalský Dědek is, and the cutest gingerbread shop! Still struggling? Check out Taste of Prague on Instagram or Honest Guide on YouTube, and if you're wondering what to do in between eating, read this First Timers Guide to Prague!
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I can't see a chimney cake without wanted to treat myself - I don't care if they are touristy either! <3
ReplyDeleteG is for Gingers xx
They're so hard to resist!x
DeleteI spent my honeymoon in Prague four years ago, and there really are some great foodie spots! The goulash served in a crusty cob was a highlight, as well as the garlic soup. And who can resist the nutella chimneys?? [Sundresses Sarah] xo
ReplyDeletewhat a brilliant place to go on honeymoon!x
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