Top 5 cafes in Prague (you might not know about)
Spring is right around the corner, which means a lot more of us will be visiting cafes for a quick coffee to go or to sit on one of the many patios around Prague. Whether you’re here just for a weekend visit or have lived in Czechia’s capital for a while, these cafes are for you. Each is different, but they share one thing in common: a love for quality coffee you will think fondly back on in the months to come. So, here are my five favorite cafes in the city, whenever I need a place to sit down with a book, write an article, or just share a conversation with dear friends.
Version Coffee
Nestled just on the outskirts of Vinohrady, this cafe combines a decorated interior adorned by lively colors and art, with a safe set of snacks and drink choices, including some delicious coffee. Although, in my view, the coffee here cannot compare to the rest of my recommendations, it is always a solid choice and certainly a significant step up from much of what you can find elsewhere in Prague.
Added to the unique environment, baked goods, and quality beverages, you can also sit outside in the warmer months ahead. Despite traffic running by the cafe, the quality of your conversation and drinks will distract you sufficiently from the somewhat noisy environment.
May Cafe
This cafe deep in Vinohrady, brings just the right amount of funk to your day. Along with its light espresso and mostly light coffee brews, the interior brings a similar light vibrancy and youthful energy to your experience. You will be served by quality baristas, who were trained by award-winning competitors. Owned by Mazelab Roastery in Dejvice, which is also well worth a visit, you will not be disappointed by visiting any of their stores in the city.
Format Coffee
Speaking of Mazelab ownership, the next cafe on our list is also under the same tutelage. Format Coffee is meant to be more of an espresso bar, as the owner told me when I interviewed him in the summer of 2024. So, if you want a quick coffee, this is the place for you. That said, the interior will not disappoint either. The one smaller problem is that it’s quite small, so you might just be beaten to the limited seating. But for what they lack in space, they make up for in positive attitude and knowledge about the coffee they serve—approach Format to be charmed by some baristas and their quick facts about the espresso they’re serving.
Cafe Hrnek
I have a soft spot for Cafe Hrnek since I have lived nearby in Prague. The espresso is perfectly balanced; the cups remind you of a visit to your grandparents; and the cinnamon snail is one of a kind. Fresh, it’s to die for. And, of course, the food is equally imaginative and impressive whenever you fancy a visit. The location is great for a peaceful stroll if you enjoy green parks, and who doesn’t? You have two lovely options for greenery near you: Letná or Stromovka. For fans of history, both Letná and Stromovka will satisfy, since Letná once featured a large statue of Stalin overlooking Prague’s Old Town and Stromovka was used by Czech noblemen and kings as a hunting ground due to its nearby location to Hradčany and Prague Castle.
I Need Coffee!
And for our last cafe, we bring you near the Vltava River. Make sure to bring your own reusable cup if you are grabbing a coffee to go. And you might just have to do so because there is not much seating. But the location makes up for the space; you have Karlovo Náměstí nearby as well as Vltava, where you can enjoy strolls to whatever part of the country’s capital suits you best.
What is even more enjoyable about this cafe, for those who might not enjoy coffee beverages as much, is that you can also grab a lovely tea-based drink. And for the environmentalists among us, you might like that drinks to go are solely available in reusable cups, which you can bring back for the deposit you pay at the cash register.
