Prague is a dessert lover’s dream offering a delightful mix of old-world charm and contemporary culinary creativity. Whether you’re craving classic Czech pastries, or modern takes on indulgent sweets, Prague has something to satisfy every sweet tooth.
In this guide, I’ll take a closer look at the must-try sweets as well as the cafés, bakeries, and pastry shops you can find them in on your Prague food tour.
Traditional Czech Pastries
Prague has tons of traditional must-try desserts like Koláče and pastries from other countries like Trdelník that have found a new loving home in the Czech capital.
Štrůdl is essentially the Czech take on apple strudel. In Prague you’ll find a very similar pastry filled with spiced apples, nuts and sometimes raisins. It’s often served with powdered sugar, and some places like Café Savoy make a version with an exceptionally flaky, buttery crust.
Trdelník is a Hungarian cinnamon-sugar-coated pastry that’s earned a beloved spot in Prague dessert culture. It’s a popular street food, best enjoyed fresh from stalls in Old Town Square.
Koláče are round, open-face, yeast-leavened pastries that are traditionally filled with sweet cheese, or fruit. For an authentic taste, visit the historic Myšák Café or one of Prague’s many artisanal bakeries.
Věneček is a delicate choux pastry ring filled with rich vanilla custard and topped with a shimmering frosting glaze. While you can find it at a lot of bakeries, one of my favorite versions at the renowned Erhartova patisserie.
Buchty are soft, pillowy yeast buns, often filled with jam, poppy seeds, or sweet quark cheese, making them nostalgic comfort food. For a homemade-style experience, try them at Café Louvre, a classic Prague institution.
Unique Czech Desserts
Prague offers some unique desserts like Medovník, and Míša Cake, that are worth adding to a comprehensive food tour.
Medovník is a traditional Czech honey cake, made with thin layers of honey-infused dough separated by a creamy caramel or condensed milk filling. One of the best places to try it is Ovocný Světozor in Prague’s Vinohrady district.
Marlenka is very similar to Medovník, but it has Armenian origins and is slightly sweeter, and denser. Prague locals will tell you that it also has a more pronounced honey flavor. It also tends to have a thicker, creamier filling that often includes nuts. I think one of the best places to get it in Prague is Pekárna Praktika.
Větrník is a traditional Czech pastry similar to a cream puff but larger and more decadent. It’s essentially a choux pastry filled with a rich combination of vanilla and caramel whipped cream, then topped with a glossy caramel glaze. It’s a staple in Prague’s best patisseries, including Myšák Café.
Míša Cake is a refreshing Czech treat, with tangy tvaroh cheese and a rich chocolate glaze, making it simultaneously light yet indulgent. It’s not a very common dessert, but you can find it in Prague at places like Libeřské lahůdky.
Bublanina is a traditional Czech sponge cake infused with seasonal fruits like cherries or plums in its airy batter. In Prague it’s a beloved homemade favorite with a nostalgic charm that you can also find at pastry shops like Můj šálek kávy.
Popular Dessert Cafés in Prague
The following are just a small taste of some of the best dessert cafés and patisseries in Prague. Including cafes and bakeries that cater to vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary preferences.
Photo credit: Myšák Café
Myšák Café is an historic patisserie with a charming, old-world ambiance. Their menu is a carefully curated blend of classic Czech pastries alongside modern desserts. Along with Koláče, their větrník caramel cream puff, is a must-try, and they also offer gluten-free cakes.
Photo credit: Café Louvre
Café Louvre is a grand café with Art Nouveau elegance that’s been a cultural hub in Prague since 1902. They have particularly lovely sacher torte, along with a variety of pastries, including some gluten-free options.
Photo credit: IF Café
IF Café is a chic patisserie known for its intricate French-style desserts. Their Paris-Brest is a standout dessert that’s hard to find anywhere else in Prague. They also offer a range of gluten-free cakes and delicate pastries.
Photo credit: Angelato
Angelato is one of Prague’s most beloved gelaterias. It has a cozy, modern vibe that goes along with their reputation for high-quality, seasonal gelato and sorbets. Their pistachio gelato is particularly famous. I also appreciate that they have a great selection of dairy-free and vegan sorbets.
Photo credit: Crème de la Crème
Crème de la Crème is a stylish gelato shop that specializes in artisanal, Italian-style ice cream with a focus on natural ingredients. Their vegan cinnamon roll-flavored gelato is one of my favorites on their menu. They also offer a variety of gluten-free and dairy-free options.
Photo credit: Puro Gelato
Puro Gelato is a sleek, minimalist gelateria committed to all-natural ingredients, Puro Gelato is known for its creamy textures and deep flavors. Their vegan dark chocolate sorbet is a standout, and they have plenty of gluten-free and dairy-free choices.
Photo credit: Babiččina Spíž
Babiččina Spíž – A cozy, rustic bakery with a homey feel. They specialize in traditional Czech pastries and have an extensive menu of gluten-free and vegan-friendly baked goods.
Sources:
Ambiente. (n.d.). Myšák pastry shop. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.mysak.ambi.cz/en
Café Louvre. (n.d.). Café Louvre Prague. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.cafelouvre.cz/en/home
Prague City Tourism. (n.d.). Můj šálek kávy. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.prague.eu/en/object/food/1487/muj-salek-kavy
Café Savoy. (n.d.). Café Savoy by Ambiente. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from http://cafesavoy.ambi.cz/
Praktika. (n.d.). Pekárna Praktika. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from http://www.pekarnapraktika.cz/
Liberské Lahůdky. (n.d.). Liberské Lahůdky Prague. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from http://www.liberskelahudky.cz/
Iveta Fabešová. (n.d.). Werichova vila. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://ivetafabesova.cz/werichova-vila/
Angelato. (n.d.). Angelato Artisanal Gelato. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from http://www.angelato.eu/
Babiččina Spíž. (n.d.). Babiččina Spíž – bakery & café. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.babiccinaspiz.cz/
Puro Gelato. (n.d.). Puro Gelato Prague. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://purogelato.cz/
Eating Europe. (n.d.). Prague food tours. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/prague/