132 Best Restaurants in Czech Republic

Gracious, gregarious, and extremely confident, Aromi is easily among the top tier of Italian restaurants in the city and proud of it. Classic pastas made in-house and fresh seafood shown off tableside are two of the crowd favorites, as are the superb salads and well-chosen Italian wines. With airy modernist interiors and alfresco dining in summer, the restaurant imparts a continental feel without being kitschy. Leave room for a post-dessert treat: Aromi stocks an exclusive list of rare grappas. The price of dishes reflects the high quality; come during the week for a better value lunch menu.

Since opening in 2017, Benjamin has consistently been one of Prague's most sought-after fine-dining experiences. Well, with just 10 seats set around a horseshoe-shaped table, it's a very exclusive ticket—so make sure you book far in advance. Each boldly flavored dish on the eight-course tasting menu exhibits oodles of imagination, innovation, and inspiration—and when combined with the unique communal setup, makes for a one-of-a-kind meal. Look out for seasonal dishes inspired by hidden corners of Czech culinary history, from once-common but long-forgotten ingredients like sturgeon to classic curd desserts that hark back to communist-era kindergartens. There are also cooking classes available for couples (9,000 Kč) and larger groups. 

Meat lovers will be in their element at this French countryside-inspired steak restaurant, situated just behind the National Museum. Take a seat beneath the wood-beamed ceiling and choose from a menu dominated by dishes of expertly aged Charolais beef, from steak tartare and tenderloin carpaccio to juicy rump steaks and hearty beef bourguignon. There are other dishes on offer, too, from frogs' legs and roast pigeon to a smattering of vegetarian and vegan options, but make no mistake: cow is king here. Go all in with a selection of steaks for two, including rare Czech wagyu beef, served with your choice of sides and sauces. Save room for a theatrical dessert in the form of curd ice cream that's frozen at the table with liquid nitrogen, as well as a taster of traditional Czech fruit spirits from Palírna Radlík distillery.

One of the best of Prague's traditional turn-of-the-century-style grand cafés, the Savoy is popular day and night for its brunches, coffees, Czech classics, and pastries. In particular, try the větrník, a Czech classic made of choux pastry with cream and caramel. It's far more authentic than the touristy trdelník (a type of rolled, spit cake) available everywhere, although if you need that sugar hit to get up the hill to the castle, no judgment. It's also an opulent but still traditional spot for a beer in the evening—or heck, go all out and get some sekt (Czech sparkling wine). 

Overlooking the river and next to the National Theater, this old-school continental European-style café is one of a clutch in Prague where you can imagine playwright-turned-independence hero Václav Havel holding court or composer Bedřich Smetana winding down after a performance. Actually, you're not just imagining it: all sorts of Czech artistic luminaries have supped here, including the above, and Havel liked it so much he even lobbied for it to reopen when it closed for reconstruction in the 1990s. It's old-school, so beer is perfectly acceptable at almost any time of day.

An excellent pit stop while exploring Malá Strana, this warm, inviting café and bakery serves freshly made soups, salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes, making it a convenient oasis for lunch. Or just rest your feet with a coffee and a slice of pie or cake. The light-wood booths and exposed-beam ceilings give Cukrkávalimonáda (literally "Sugarcoffeelemonade") a country-farmhouse feel. Lunchtime can be overcrowded, so try to book a spot in advance; at other times, you can normally find a seat. Note: the café closes daily at 7.

A medieval tavern feel and big plates of Czech food make Dačický a warm, authentic experience. The yellow walls decorated with cartoon-style murals, the long (shared) wooden tables, and the massive chandelier also add to the ambience. Try the pork knee and the beer sampler, but don't expect to be able to move for a couple of hours: the portions are huge and the beer is plentiful.

This fantastic destination restaurant, with thoughtful, delicate twists on modern Czech food in a shiny-steel-and-concrete industrial setting, is certainly the district's best and even holds its own against the rest of the city. Run by the former Michelin-starred chef at Alcron, in the center of town, the Eatery is a more informal but no less delicious venture, with all the extras you'd expect from an establishment of this quality, from a chef's table to delicious wines and an open kitchen.

This unexpected pastry paradise—essentially, a service hatch set within a regular apartment block—offers whole strudels (repeat: not a single slice, but a WHOLE strudel) for just 60 Kč. You can choose from three fillings: apple, tvaroh (curd cheese), or poppy seed. There are also seasonal flavors available on occasion, including plum in the summer months and raisin and almond at Christmas. Only open weekdays.

With a grand setting in a gorgeous former bank, you can bank on this cool butcher-shop-meets-meat-market-and-bar being packed when you arrive. There's a butcher's counter at the front where you can select the exact meat you want. The attendant will cut it, weigh it, cook it perfectly to your specifications, and then serve it hot off the skillet. Load up a tray with meat and sides, and grab a seat at a communal table or a spot at the bar and wash it all down with great beer. Keep track of what you eat and drink on a menu card (bread is free). The modern canteen feel and reasonable prices all contribute to the incredible popularity of this place.

Literally translated as "A Coffee Shop Looking for a Name," this achingly hip café-cum-gallery serves great coffee, tempting cocktails, and excellent food—including top-notch breakfasts and brunches until midday on weekdays and 3 pm on weekends. The gallery space showcases work by local artists and hosts pop-up events.

It may no longer be the novel, menu-less restaurant of old—the COVID pandemic put an end to the concept of people choosing their meals from communal pots—but this castle-side restaurant still serves up great, traditional Czech cuisine. Take a seat and order from a small menu of dishes ranging from fresh cow's cheese with pickled vegetables to duck leg with rustic bread dumplings and red cabbage. Although most of the mains are meaty, there's always at least one vegetarian option. While the interior is perfectly lovely—all copper pots, aquamarine tiles, and pine-wood tables—the terrace, with its stunning city views, is the best place to dine.

One of Prague's two Michelin star holders is this elegant tasting room, where diners are taken on a superlative culinary adventure via a Czech-inspired tasting menu over an extended evening. The menu roves around Czech and European cuisine playfully and stylishly, including classic local specialties with a twist, like pork belly, cabbage, and mustard or a dessert of cream, blueberry, and basil. You'll need a full appetite to last the multiple, delicious courses, so you'll want to come hungry. One word of caution: the tasting menu is 2,450 Kč before drinks are even considered, and dinner for two, with wine and tip, can climb into the 10,000 Kč territory. But for many, the experience is worth every koruna. Book in advance.

One of Prague's hottest tables, La Finestra is the meaty counterpart to its sister restaurant, Aromi, right down to the wooden tables and brick walls. Catering to local gourmands and boldface names, this restaurant lives up to the hype. As at Aromi, waiters display an array of freshly caught fish that comprise the day's specials, but here they also do the same with meat, including cuts flown in from Italy.

Despite the quality of the cooking, La Veranda remains somewhat overlooked by visitors (though popular with locals), making a visit to this stylish, softly lighted room feel like you've been let in on a wonderful secret. The food is top-notch, with seasonal specials and a not outrageously priced six-course tasting menu showcasing the restaurant's greatest hits, like an incredibly rich beef tartare with egg yolk and black truffle. The à la carte options are equally inventive and deliver on flavor, too, from beef steak, beluga lentils, and zucchini to rabbit leg confit. Wine pairings are available.

Sleek and relatively sophisticated, Lokál Dlouhááá takes the Czech pub concept to a new level with fresh local ingredients, perfectly poured beers, and friendly, efficient service. It makes for an idealized version of a corner restaurant out of another era, right down to the stark white walls, waiters in vests, and bathrooms wallpapered with old pinups and airplane posters. Many of the dishes have a modern twist: schnitzel is made from pork neck and served atop buttery whipped potatoes, while the Czech classic of svíčková (beef tenderloin in cream sauce) is tangy and fresh (not often the case at most pubs). Lokál also has pub-restaurants in Malá Strana, Karlín, and Vinohrady.

Although a little out of the way, this lovely restaurant overlooking Smíchov (the name means "On the Hill") serves exceptional, high-end Czech and international cuisine within a comfortable and casual setting. The menu is completely overhauled every three months, making the best use of seasonal, locally sourced ingredients—from rabbit and wild boar to porcini mushrooms—to create surprising and satisfying dishes. Yet for all the fine-dining credentials, there's not an ounce of pretentiousness, thanks to the unstuffy decor (including walls plastered in family photos), the friendly and informal service, and the reasonable prices.

The restaurant is about the same walking distance (15 minutes) from Radlická and Smíchovské nádraží Metro stops (both Line B), but you can save a walk uphill by arriving at Radlická and leaving from Smíchovské nádraží.

Czech comfort food is served up every day and every night at Na louži. Lovingly preserved wood furniture and paneling lend a traditional touch to this warm, inviting, family-run pub. The food is unfussy yet satisfying; take your pick from the Czech specialties on the menu. If you're feeling too full to move after dinner, the 10 country-style rooms upstairs are basic and cheap and include breakfast; perfect for a one-night stay.

When Sansho opened just over a decade ago, it radically redefined the local dining scene. Head chef Paul Day introduced many novel concepts to Prague's foodies, like pairing a simple, unadorned interior with highly intricate Asian-fusion cuisine, leaving the full focus on the plate. The public was initially skeptical but once they gathered around the long, communal tables, they were won over by the quality of the cooking (not surprising, as Day learned his craft at London's Michelin-starred Nobu). Dinner is a very reasonably priced tasting menu, featuring items such as Moravian lamb betel leaves roll and soft-shell crab, among other delicacies, while lunch is served à la carte.

A hopping burger bar on the fringe of Riegrovy Park in Vinohrady, the Tavern arguably serves the city's best hamburgers and cheeseburgers. The restaurant began as the dream of an American couple to use classic U.S. combinations, like bacon-cheddar or blue cheese and caramelized onion, and then re-create them with locally sourced beef and toppings. The result? It's been packed since the 2012 opening and shows no signs of slowing down. They also do veggie and vegan burgers, along with other American-style diner food, plus cocktails and craft beers.

There's limited seating, so make a reservation for dinner online (there's no phone).

On top of the boutique Golden Well Hotel, lunch or dinner, either inside or on the terrace of this Michelin-rated restaurant overlooking the city's rooftops, is a delicious experience that more than lives up to the views and prices. The menu runs the gamut from the full degustation (3,400 Kč) to more reasonably priced à la carte lunch options.

This traditional pub, which sits below the walls of Vyšehrad Citadel, serves up traditional, meaty Czech fare—think beef goulash, pork knuckle, and duck leg confit—with freshly poured beer. The interior is warm and welcoming, the staff are unfailingly friendly, and the prices are very competitive. The value gets even better at lunchtime; come between 11 and 3 to enjoy a delicious, filling three-course meal for less than 300 Kč.

This old-fashioned tavern puts on airs, but if you're looking for the perfect Czech venue for a special occasion, it's hard to beat the "Blue Duckling." Dusty portraits hanging on the walls and lavish curtains and table settings impart a certain slightly frilly 19th-century look. The menu, filled with succulent duck and game choices, brings things down to earth a notch. There's dining on two levels, but the upper floor's intimacy—with secluded tables in each nook and cranny and soft piano music wafting through the air—is preferable. There's now a second, smaller restaurant (unimaginatively named U Modré kachničky II) near Old Town Square.

One of the oldest pubs in Žižkov, this classic Czech pub offers a warm and inviting setting, great beers, and authentic Czech food. The name means “At the Linden Trees,” a Czech and Slovak emblem, and while there are tourists here, it’s also a meeting place for locals.

Across from the Újezd tram stop, this gelato gem offers delicious, homemade ice cream and gelato almost all year.

The home-baked sourdough bread, the huge selection of delicious pastries, and the lovingly brewed coffee make this café-bakery a local favorite. It's so popular that there are now two other branches in Prague, including a second one in Smíchov (at Štefánikova 31).

The menu is on the decidedly short side but offers a constantly changing list of modern takes on fish, meat, and pasta dishes, served in a relaxed but trendy environment. Tasting menus with seasonal dishes include a vegetarian option. The bar serves up new spins on classic cocktails. The light wood furnishings and vaulted ceiling add to the bright and airy feel. Located close to Brno's main theaters.

Don't let the slightly weird name and offbeat location fool you: this is a gem. Great seafood, service, and wine at this hidden-away restaurant on the edge of the Mala Strana district, serving choice meals from all over the world.

This sweet little café with tiled mosaic floors, globe lights, and mint-green decor provides an inviting spot for a light lunch. It's similar to the nearby Bakeshop Praha, but with a certain Gallic flair. Like its neighbor, it too has a few seats, although it also boasts a garden in the back, where you can enjoy a salade niçoise or a tomato-and-mozzarella sandwich.

Great coffee and cool vibes in this cavernous, slightly rough-around-the-edges café in an interesting, historic building, which also doubles as an art and community space.