Prague Dining: My Top 10 Restaurants

By: Lexi Beck

Goulash, Pho, Sushi, or Samosas, I’ll take it!I have never been a picky eater, and from my understanding neither are the Czechs. Before studying abroad in Prague I knew little about how to cook for myself or what the city would have to offer food-wise, and found myself wondering “what am I gonna eat?” Since arriving in Prague I’ve been very impressed by the wide variety of restaurants, grocery stores, and produce here! I had no need to worry and neither do you! Here are some of my favorite easy at home recipes and advice for where to eat (any kind of food you want) around the city!

1. Loving Bistro:

This was one of my most frequented food spots through my abroad experience! I love a good buffet and this one was so delicious that you wouldn’t even know it was vegan! Once you enter you have a wide selection of foods to choose from before you head to the counter to weigh your plate and pay. The loving bistro is a great option for a quick lunch, and is perfect if you spend a lot of time studying in Kolector ( a great cafe located 3 minutes away from the Bistro) like I did. My favorite bites from the Loving Bistro were the sushi rolls, The vegan wraps, the wide selection of vegetables and amazing kimchi. The Loving Bistro has such a calming and cozy vibe, perfect for a quick and rejuvenating lunch break. 

2. India Gate:

Absolutely lovely my dinner at India Gate! Who knew Prague would have such great Indian food? Both times I went to India Gate the staff was super small, but extremely kind. I was hesitant to eat here because of my allergy to cashew, but the kitchen made my whole meal totally nut-free, which was so considerate of them (especially because that is pretty rare for restaurants to do here!). Chicken tikka-masala is one of my favorite comfort foods from home and I think this place was even better than my favorite indian spot at home. This is a great option if you like Indian food, and with the kindness I experienced from the staff I couldn’t recommend India Gate enough! 

3. White Horse:

I visited White Horse with my family while they were visiting because my parents wanted a nice outdoor dinner overlooking Prague’s Old Town Square. We were not disappointed! Despite the 30 degree weather, my family and I were cozy under the large heating lamps and blankets offered outside of White Horse. In addition to the ambiance, the traditional Czech food offered at White Horse was delicious. I would especially recommend the ribs and mulled white especially! Although this is on the pricery/ touristy side, I would absolutely recommend a family dinner in Prague’s old town.

4. Sasazu:

I like to think of Sasazu as the Nobu of Prague (but keep in mind I have never been to Nobu and did not eat sushi at many other places in Prague…). I was invited here for my friend's birthday dinner and thought that Sasazu’s atmosphere was really cool and sophisticated. Also the food looked just as good as it tasted! We shared mostly everything and the highlight was the Crispy Tuna Roll. Great choice if you're interested in a fancy dinner, but important to note this was the expensive meal I’ve had in Prague.

5. Bistro Monk:

Delicious, healthy, colorful and great location! I went to Bistro Monk three times and each time I went I ordered something new and delicious. All my friends loved this place, and my family (some of whom are pretty picky) even loved their meals here. Great place to eat after strolling by the Prague Castles. I’d recommend the Turkish Breakfast, Bali Avocado toast and the Monk Superfood most of all. 

6. Matoka Cafe:

This was my favorite cafe in all of Prague! Matoka is a Georgian cafe, and if you aren’t familiar Georgia is a little country between the Black and Caspian sea in Eastern Europe. I know Georgian food pretty well because my mom makes the best! Being half Georgian, I had to take the opportunity to eat my favorite Georgian foods in Prague and lucky enough for me there are a bunch of Georgian restaurants here! Matoka Cafe is a cute and cozy cafe perfect for studying up until dinner time. Once it hits that time I’d put the books away and order some Tarkhuna (a special and green Georgian soda), khinkali (the BEST soup dumplings) and khachapuri (delicious cheesy bread). All for a very reasonable price, I couldn’t recommend a best place for studying, journalling and trying your new favorite Georgian foods. 

7. Mr. Hot Dog:

This is a super yummy and casual spot in Prague 7. My friends and I stopped at Mr. Hot Dog after hungrily leaving the Letna Beer Garden and we were not disappointed. I got a regular hotdog topped with onion, ketchup and mustard, and I believe they now have sauerkraut as a topping as well. Mr. Hot Dog also offers a Vegan Hotdog which my friend ordered and enjoyed. Nothing revolutionary, but cheap, easy and good! 

8. NaPokē:

NaPokē is a very small but delicious spot for lunch or dinner with a friend. My friend and I were living on opposite sides of Prague but met for a dinner here in between us both. Although tiny, I thought NaPokē had the best poke out of the few places I tried. I got a tuna bowl, and thought the fish and veggies tasted super fresh. This spot is very casual, and could even be a good place to get some work done. However if you’re looking for a more sit-down poke place, Bowl & Tonic Might be for you. 

9. Bowl & Tonic

Bowl and tonic was a super fun choice for dinner with friends. Like the name implies, this spot is known to solely serve Poke bowls and Gin and Tonics! The options for both was very impressive, as the menu was pretty long. I enjoyed a tuna bowl again and loved the “Queen” G&T. This place was pretty good, and I enjoyed it largely for the ambiance and creative ideas. Although both were delicious, I think NaPokē had slightly better poke bowls. Despite this, I would definitely recommend Bowl & Tonic for a group dinner amongst poke and G&T lovers.

10. Gruzie

Gruzie was by far my favorite restaurant experience in Prague! Like Matoka Cafe, Gruzie is a Georgian restaurant and is absolutely delicious. My family and I went to Gruzie for Thanksgiving dinner, and then even went back a couple days later. Whether you are familiar with Georgian food or not, there is something for you on this HUGE menu. Additionally, if you're a wine lover you might be interested to know that Georgia is where wine first originated in 6000 BCE!! So it only makes sense that Gruzie has a wide variety of rich Georgian wines. With its gorgeous interior design, live music and delicious food, I would absolutely recommend Gruzie for someone looking to try new European cultural foods while in Prague.

Other Options:

Although dining out is reasonably priced in most Prague restaurants (or at least generally cheaper than the U.S.), it is not practical for everyday. So, for the most part I cooked for myself throughout the week in my dorm’s kitchen. This was pretty new for me, as at Tulane, I had been able to rely on the dining hall for most of my meals. However, I feel that building on my cooking skills has been one of my favorite takeaways from studying abroad, and is a life skill I will take into living off campus and off a meal plan this coming spring. My favorite grocery stores in Prague are Albert, Lidl, and K-Food which is a great asian market right next to the metro in Prague 1. You can check out my cooking ideas if you're interested, or look to NYT easy recipes for some inspiration. 

My Recipes:

• Salmon Rice Bowl- https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/7960938/salmon-rice-bowl/
• Butter Noodles- https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/easy_buttered_noodles/
• Parmesan Zucchinini - https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1025541-air-fryer-zucchini
• Miso Soup and Gyoza- instant and frozen from K-Food
• Pasta Bolognese- https://themodernproper.com/easy-bolognese

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