Gastro tourism is an evolving and growing trend in the hospitality industry. As home to local dishes such as goulash, koleno, and kulajda, it’s no surprise that foodies are travelling to Prague in pursuit of unique food and beverage experiences.
The Czech Republic capital is a fantastic spot for gastro tourists who want to attend a cooking class, join one of Prague’s walking tours for foodies, find a food market, enjoy a live performance at a five-course medieval dinner, or embark on a boat cruise with a buffet.
With no shortage of restaurants and eateries in Prague, this article will explore five of Prague’s more hidden food spots.
Věnečky Janeček
Věnečky Janeček is a small boutique pastry shop that serves and specialises inspecialisestem, věnečky (little wreaths).
You can find this traditional Czech dessert in most confectionary shops. However, they are always so big that Věnečky Janeček serves them as bite sizes instead.
(Image Source: CityBee)
From the outside, Věnečky Janeček doesn’t look like a pastry shop, so it would be easy for gastro tourists to pass by.
Address: Pštrossova 198/23, 110 00 Nové Město
Website: www.veneckyjanecek.cz
Café Platyz
Café Platyz was renovated by famous film architect Jan Vlček in 2014 to offer visitors an interior of bright geometric and floral patterns.
(Image Source: Prague City Tourism)
Located in the atrium of the historic Palác Platýz, many tourists who aren’t searching for the elegant spot will miss out on the local produce it offers, including spicy beef goulash, slow roasted pork neck, and pancakes (‘Palačinky’ in Czech).
As well as a fantastic food menu made by chef Václav Fučík and his team, Café Platyz serves delicious coffee, homemade cakes, and local wines and beer.
Address: Národní 416/37, 110 00 Staré Město
Website: http://cafeplatyz.cz
The Eatery
Most Michelin Star restaurants in big cities like Prague would be booked out for weeks, thanks to overtourism, but not The Eatery. This is because the restaurant is a 10-minute drive from the city centre, and most tourists explore Prague on foot.
The Eatery offers gastro tourists a fine dining experience in a casual, laid-back restaurant. The open kitchen allows guests to watch owner and head chef Pavel Býček and his team visualise and prepare a range of appetisers, meat dishes, desserts, and cheeses.
In addition, the fine dining restaurant uses ingredients from local suppliers, such as Cobolis craft beer, Landcraft distillery, and fish from Chabrybárna.
Address: Alta Plaza, U Uranie 18, 170 00 Praha 7-Holešovice
Website: www.theeatery.cz
Náplavka Farmers Market
Náplavka Farmers Market is the perfect place for foodies to spend their Saturday morning. It runs from 8am to 2pm on Saturdays between February and December.
Gastro tourists can tuck into all kinds of street food, pastries, soups, and smoked fish while enjoying fantastic views of Prague Castle and the Vyšehrad fortress and a vibrant atmosphere.
Address: Rašínovo nábřeží (close to Vyšehradský railway bridge), Prague 2.
Website: https://www.farmarsketrziste.cz/trh/naplavka
KRO Karlin Bistro and Cocktail Bar
KRO Karlin Bistro and Cocktail Bar offers an intimate but lively environment that encourages guests to enjoy dinner with a few cocktails or drinks.
Menu highlights include mushroom croquettes, meatballs with roasted pepper sauce, pulled chicken combo, and ice cream from ještě jednu, a nearby ice cream shop. They also serve cocktails, wine, hot drinks, beer, cider, non-alcoholic drinks, and a range of spirits from around the world, including aged Scotch and Nikka Coffee Gin.
Their primary ingredients come from local suppliers such as the Druhaz Farm, the farmers’ market at Jiřího z Poděbrad Square, Skala’s dairy, and a butcher in the rural village of Střimelice.
Address: Sokolovská 79/81, 186 00 Karlín
Website: https://www.krokitchen.cz/en/karlin
Ready To Eat At Some Of Prague’s Hidden Food Spots?
The Czech Republic is known for its hearty and comforting dishes, with restaurants, street food vendors, cafes, diners, and bars serving up a variety of meats, dumplings, soups, and pastries that reflect the country’s long-lasting culinary traditions.
This list merely scratches the surface of hidden food spots in Prague, but it gives you some guidance outside of the popular, busy, and expensive restaurants in The Old Town Square.
Please note that all the restaurants mentioned above cater for vegetarians.