Best Restaurants in Prague: Local Favorites and Fine Dining Gems

If you’re familiar with Czech food, you’ll know that the capital has a sublime blend of bustling beer halls, cozy taverns, and upscale bistros, all of which serve some delightful food. Since starting my Prague food tours, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting some of Prague’s top eateries, and have consistently been impressed by the culinary scene here.

While some of the tourist-centric spots offer quality fare, many of the tastiest grub is found in lesser-known but locally-loved haunts. Throughout this post, you’ll find my picks for the best restaurants in Prague, and I’ve included a diverse range of spots to ensure you enjoy a well-rounded foodie experience during your stay!

Local Favorites You Shouldn’t Miss

SOVA Restaurant 

Photo credit: SOVA Restaurant

SOVA Restaurant is easily one of the best restaurants in Prague’s Old Town, yet it often flies under the radar among tourists. It’s chic and contemporary inside, perfectly reflecting the menu, which features modern takes on classic Czech recipes.

I have only good things to say about every dish I tried here, but the veal cheeks are the specialty. Each piece of meat was slow-cooked until it was melt-in-your-mouth tender and rich in flavor. What made it even tastier was the generous serving of velvety mashed potatoes.

SOVA Restaurant – 110 00 Josefov – Open every day from 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Ferdinanda

Photo credit: Ferdinanda

Ferdinanda is another local food spot, tucked away on a cobblestone street in the west of the city. The food here is top-notch, as is the setting with its stone walls, arched interiors, and cozy atmosphere. As soon as I noticed that there were more locals than tourists here, I knew I was in for a treat.

My buddies and I decided to order the pork knuckle and some crisp Czech beers, which turned out to be a winning combination. Each mouthful of meat was juicy and savory, with deep flavors coming from the herbaceous marinade.

Ferdinanda – 118 00 Malá Strana – Open every Monday to Saturday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, closed every Sunday

Czech Slovak Restaurant

Photo credit: Czech Slovak Restaurant

Czech and Slovak cuisines share many similarities, and you’ll have the chance to enjoy the best of both at the aptly named Czech Slovak Restaurant in Malá Strana. The exceptional service and sophisticated decor make it feel a little more elevated than your average eatery, yet the food is still hearty and comforting.

Every second diner at this highly recommended restaurant seemed to be ordering the goulash, so I had to try it for myself. I quickly saw what the fuss was about, as the dish boasted earthy venison, sweet onions, and soft bread dumplings.

Czech Slovak Restaurant – 118 00 Praha 1 – Open every Monday and from Wednesday to Sunday from 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm, closed every Tuesday

Best Czech Restaurants for Traditional Dishes

Husinec Restaurace

Photo credit: Husinec Restaurace

If you’re wondering where to eat in Prague to sample Czech cuisine, I suggest venturing to Husinec Restaurace near the National Museum. This ambient haunt specializes in goose and duck-based Czech dishes, though the menu also features plenty of other local favorites.

It’s best to come here in a group, as the exquisite slow-roasted duck is more than enough for three to four diners. Every bite was full of robust flavors, which were countered by the addition of mild potato pancakes and tangy braised cabbage.

Husinec Restaurace – 110 00 Nové Město – Open every day from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm

Kozlovna Apropos

Photo credit: Kozlovna Apropos

Kozlovna Apropos in the Old Town is far from a hidden gem, yet it remains one of the best restaurants in Prague for both locals and tourists. It’s a buzzing, quintessentially Czech spot, complete with brick walls and chunky wooden furnishings.

As famous as the goulash here is, I was more drawn to the svíčková when I arrived, which consisted of soft beef, creamy sauce, and fluffy bread dumplings, topped with tart cranberries. Together, these ingredients resulted in a delightful balance of flavors and textures.

Kozlovna Apropos – 110 00 Staré Město – Open every day from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm

Bredovský Dvůr

Photo credit: Bredovský Dvůr

Bredovský Dvůr is a one-stop spot near Prague Main Station for an old-school Czech dining experience. Not only does this inviting, brick-clad venue double as a brewery for refreshing beer, but it also serves up some stellar local dishes.

I started things off with a pint of hoppy, bittersweet Pilsner Urquell, before ordering the wild boar. The meat was slightly gamey with a hint of nuttiness, and was served alongside buttery mashed potatoes and punchy onion jam.

Bredovský Dvůr – 110 00 Nové Město – Open every Monday to Saturday from 11:00 am to 12:00 am and every Sunday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm

Where to Eat by Neighborhood

The best restaurants in Prague are scattered across various neighborhoods, most of which are home to a cluster of venues specializing in Czech cuisine, as well as international-inspired eateries. Among the most popular districts for food are:

Old Town – Must-try spots include U Červeného Páva and Restaurace U Dvou Velbloudů.

Mala Strana – I recommend venturing to U Glaubiců and Pork’s Mostecká.

Vinohrady – Check out restaurants like Bílá Kráva and U Bulínů.

Žižkov – Pivnice u Járy and El Camino are just two of the top spots in this area.

Karlín – Some of my favorite venues here include Krystal Bistro and Eska.

Special Occasions or Splurge-Worthy Spots

La Degustation

Photo credit: La Degustation

If you’re unsure about where to eat in Prague for a celebration or high-end dining experience, I can’t recommend La Degustation in the Old Town enough. This Michelin-starred restaurant features a sleek dining room, an impressive wine selection, and a team of talented chefs.

I was supremely impressed by the tasting menu here, and was particularly taken by the trout. It was so delicate and flaky, and the tomatoes and sour cream added a distinct brightness to every bite. The glass of smooth, fruity chardonnay was the perfect finishing touch.

La Degustation – 110 00 Staré Město – Open every day from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and from 6:00 pm to 12:00 am

Portfolio Restaurant

Photo credit: Portfolio Restaurant

In recent years, Portfolio has become one of the best restaurants in Prague’s New Town. A fine dining establishment with modern decor and a warm atmosphere, Portfolio is all about premium ingredients and internationally-inspired recipes.

After hearing it’s made its way onto the Michelin Guide, I knew I had to check this place out. I was lucky enough to secure a lunchtime reservation and decided to go for the tasting menu. My favorite of the four courses was the ceviche, as the mix of meaty yellowfin tuna, sweet mango, and citrusy coriander was incredibly fresh and zingy. 

Portfolio Restaurant – 110 00 Nové Město – Open every Monday to Friday from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm and from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm, closed every Saturday and Sunday

Final Tips for Dining in Prague

• Many of the best restaurants in Prague, particularly the more high-end establishments, are booked up several weeks in advance, so be sure to check ahead of time if you need to make a reservation.
• If you’re unsure about what to order, I suggest opting for the ‘denní menu,’ a fixed menu with two or three courses, typically served at lunchtime.
• For the best value, consider enjoying your main meal around midday or in the early afternoon.
• In sit-down restaurants, adding a 10% tip is customary.

Some local phrases to learn include ‘Na zdraví’ (Cheers) and ‘Děkuji’ (Thank you).

Sources:

Eating Europe. (n.d.). Prague food tours. Eating Europe. https://www.eatingeurope.com/prague/

Eating Europe. (n.d.). 13 traditional Czech foods you must try in Prague. Eating Europe. https://www.eatingeurope.com/blog/czech-foods/

SOVA. (n.d.). Restaurant SOVA [Website]. Retrieved July 19, 2025, from https://www.rest-sova.com

Ferdinanda. (n.d.). Ferdinanda – Malá Strana. http://www.ferdinanda.cz/en/mala-strana

Czech Slovak Restaurant. (n.d.). Czech Slovak Restaurant. https://czechslovak.cz/en/restaurant/

Husinec Restaurace. (n.d.). Husinec restaurant. https://www.husinecrestaurace.cz/

Kozlovna Apropos. (n.d.). Kozlovna Apropos. https://www.kozlovna-apropos.cz/en/

Bredovský Dvůr. (n.d.). Bredovský Dvůr restaurant. https://restauracebredovskydvur.cz/en/home-english/

La Degustation. (n.d.). La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise. https://www.ladegustation.cz/en

Portfolio Restaurant. (n.d.). Portfolio Restaurant Prague. https://www.portfolio-restaurant.cz/en

Tripadvisor. (n.d.). U Červeného páva – Restaurant review. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g274707-d2143250-Reviews-U_Cerveneho_Pava-Prague_Bohemia.html

U Dvou Velbloudů. (n.d.). U Dvou Velbloudů restaurant. https://www.udvouvelbloudu.cz/en-home

U Glaubiců. (n.d.). U Glaubiců restaurant. https://uglaubicu.com/en/

Pork’s. (n.d.). Pork’s Prague. https://www.porks.cz/

Bila Krava. (n.d.). Bílá Kráva restaurant. https://www.bilakrava.cz/en/

Restaurace U Bulínů. (n.d.). U Bulínů restaurant. https://www.restauraceubulinu.cz/

U Járy. (n.d.). U Járy restaurant. https://www.ujary.cz/en/

El Camino Tapas. (n.d.). El Camino Tapas restaurant. https://elcaminotapas.cz/en/

Krystal Bistro. (n.d.). Krystal Bistro. https://www.krystal-bistro.cz/

Eska. (n.d.). Eska restaurant. https://eska.ambi.cz/en