Food & Drinks
Czech culture is deeply connected to its gastronomy. From the world's best beer to hearty traditional meals and a booming coffee scene, here is how to enjoy Prague like a local.
🍺 All About Beer
With almost 150 litres per capita, we are the unrivaled leaders in beer drinking. Brewing history here dates back to 993 AD. In many pubs, beer is still cheaper than water or soft drinks.
🍻 Drinking Etiquette
- Clink & Tap: Clink glasses, then tap the table before the first sip.
- Eye Contact: Always look directly into the eyes of the person you're clinking with.
- No Pouring: Never pour beer from one glass to another – it's considered a "sin".
💡 Useful Tips
- Standard serving size is 0.5 litres.
- Drink Local: Try small breweries like Matuška or Moucha. Avoid international brands like Heineken.
- Check this guide for the best beer spots.
🍴 Lunch & Dining
Traditional Czech meals are often meat-based with thick sauces and dumplings (knedlíky). Pro tip: Restaurants offer cheaper daily menus on weekdays between 11:00–14:00.
🥘 Must-try dishes: Svíčková, Znojemská, Koprovka, Rajská, Vepřo-knedlo-zelo or Moravský vrabec.
Classic Lunch Spots:
- Na Urale (Uralská 9)
- U Parlamentu (Valentinská 8)
- Planeta Žižkov (Tachovské nám.)
- Knedlín (Národní 24) – Traditional dumplings
Vegan & Vegetarian:
- Dhaba Beas (Self-service chain)
- Natureza (Hellichova 14)
- Moment (Slezská 62)
- Herbivore (Rašínovo nábřeží 34)
Sweets & Coffee:
- Alchymista (Garden café in Letná)
- Crème de la crème (Best ice cream - Pod kaštany 236/2)
🛎️ Restaurant Etiquette:
Tipping: Standard is 10–15 %. Tell the waiter the final amount including tip when paying.
Waiters: Might seem "gloomy" and speak limited English. Don't take it personally!
Dumplings: Never eat dumplings with your hands. Big no-no!
☕ 3rd Wave Coffee Culture
Forget the old-school "Czech Turkish coffee". Prague has been flooded by specialty coffee shops with Berlin-style vibes and high-quality roasts.
EMA espresso bar
Kafemat (Dejvice)
Osada
Tvoje máma
Kavárna Nový Svět
Republica Coffee
Warning: Hipster vibe all over the place! ✨