Where to eat and stay in Prague

Where to eat and stay in Prague

Discover the best restaurants and hotels in Prague - from fine dining to luxurious five-star stays, check out these top recommendations for a perfect break in the Czech capital.

Combining the beauty of the past with the pace of the present is something Prague does better than most. The Czech capital, brimming with Baroque architecture and historical landmarks, is not a city that’s scared to dream, and its restaurants follow suit.

On every street corner in Prague you’ll uncover countless restaurants bedecked in bold modern colors, offering dishes that marry traditional cuisine with the imaginative spin of Czech chefs – and it’s this fusion that defines the dining experience in Prague.

When it comes to finding somewhere to stay, Prague prides itself on excellence. Here you’ll find everything from the exquisite and elegant to the hip and ultra-trendy, all boasting the finest facilities. Here are our picks of the best restaurants and hotels in the deliciously diverse Czech capital.

Glasses at a table overlooking Prague

Best restaurants in Prague

For local cuisine: La Degustation Boheme Bourgeoise

Prague has an abundant array of fine dining, much of which originated in other cultures. But if you’ve arrived in the capital with a taste for the traditional, one notable exception to that rule is La Degustation Boheme Bourgeoise, where the chefs put a twist on classic Czech dishes.

Dining at La Degustation is more night out than evening meal, so make sure you leave plenty of time and space to indulge in the assortment of delectable dishes on offer. You’ll spend three hours setting your taste buds alight – that’s how long it takes to get through seven courses, each preceded by its own aromatic amuse-bouche.

The dishes are as imaginative as they are indulgent. Based on the time-honored 19th century Czech cookbook, the menu will have you working your way through everything from smoked beef tongue with chickpea purée and pickled shallots, to a surprisingly inviting tomato meringue with balsamic vinegar.

For private dining: La Finestra

While you can usually tell the quality of a restaurant by how busy it is, nothing beats a serene, private dining experience. Look no further than La Finestra.

Here, it’s as much about atmosphere and ambience as it is about the menu. Book well in advance and you can experience real exclusivity – dining away from the crowds in a private wine cellar, surrounded by vintage wooden shelves and row upon row of expertly chosen wine. The lights may be low, but this will be one of the high points of your visit to Prague.

The food is decidedly Italian, with dishes including beef consommé with a poached egg and swordfish carpaccio with chanterelles. And given the quality of the wine cellar, you’re guaranteed to find the right bottle of wine to accompany whichever dish you choose.

Traditional grilled favourites in a Prague restaurant

For unique décor: Siddharta Café

For those with an eye for the eccentric, Siddharta Café offers a treat for the senses. Although it comes armed with an aromatic Euro-Asian fusion to its menu, it’s the unusual nature of the setting that takes center stage here.

Whether it’s the pop art coloring, the transparent backlit Buddha statues or the striking turquoise and black chairs that first grab your attention, there’s something here to tantalize at every turn. The entire place is fun, vibrant and alive with activity, day or night.

There’s a diverse selection of delights to sample on the menu. The tuna teriyaki, steak with noodles and poached sea bass with banana leaf are all designed to perfectly combine and complement the flavors of Asia and Europe in one mouth-watering dish.

For fine dining: CottoCrudo

Italian food is the cornerstone of quality cuisine in modern Prague, but few places deliver it with more finesse and flair than CottoCrudo. Promising a taste of Little Italy in Prague, Bari-born chef Leonardo Di Clemente infuses his heritage with imagination and ambition.

The Italian Classics menu, although tipping its hat to tradition, is a decidedly ambitious endeavor. Di Clemente lets no dish reach the tables without at least a morsel of modernity hitting the plate. Tuna spaghetti with orange emulsion, carpaccio with apple wasabi mayonnaise and a central culinary station stocked with prime Italian delicacies are must tries.

The restaurant also boasts arguably the finest setting in Prague. Its position within the Four Seasons hotel affords it unrivalled views over the city. Inside, the smart urban décor is given a twist, with the informal coming together effortlessly with the in-style, and seating plans adaptable to accommodate groups of any size.

Czech dish served hot in a pan in a restaurant

Best hotels in Prague

For funky styling: Hotel Sax

Soak up the atmosphere of modern Prague the second you set foot in your room at Hotel Sax. Funky, fun and not afraid to be different, this beautiful boutique hotel brings the 1960s and 1970s slap bang into the 21st century.

It’s a truly one-of-a-kind stay where retro is the order of the day. Each room boasts 1970s-inspired interiors such as checkerboard wallpaper and fluffy shag carpets that you’ll just want to collapse onto the second you unlock the door. It’s fun, fresh and easily the most individual place to stay in Prague.

Its location is another string to its bow. Perched between Prague Castle and Charles Bridge, Hotel Sax puts you right in the heart of the action.

For contemporary stays: Andel’s Hotel

The Andel’s Hotel is perfectly placed in the district of the same name, surrounded by cool shops, trendy restaurants and designer boutiques.

The rooms at Andel’s are all about cozy comfort, with a luxurious modern design paired perfectly with bold and bright colors to offer the warmest of welcomes. For those with a love of style and design, this is the ideal place to stay – and it’s the perfect launch pad for further exploration of the city.

If you’re looking for a more private stay, Andel’s is also one of a number of hotels in Prague that offer spacious apartments as well as hotel rooms.

For unrivalled views: Maximilian Hotel

Spread across two adjoining 1920s buildings, Maximilian Hotel boasts a quiet central location, modern yet understated room décor and some fantastic facilities. However, it’s the views over the old town, and Prague as a whole, that makes it pop.

Inside, the 1920s rooms have been reimagined by designer Eva Jiricna, who has hand-picked every last detail, down to the yellow back-lit reception, art deco furniture and the historic Czech artworks that line the halls. It’s one of Prague’s most stylish stays.

Maximilian also boasts one of Prague’s best locations, situated in the Haštalské náměstí (Jewish Quarter), giving visitors a 10 to 15-minute walk to most of the city’s prime spots.

For 5-star quality: Augustine Hotel

As well as being one of the highest quality hotels in Prague, Augustine is also the stay that makes best use of its location. From the majestic monastery gardens alongside it, to Charles Bridge just seven minutes away or Prague Castle not too far in the distance, Augustine wows on destination alone.

However, this isn’t an establishment that rests on its laurels, and it coolly combines its setting with cutting edge modern design. Clean colors, contemporary artwork and sharp edges give the rooms an elegance it’s impossible to ignore.

It’s not short on amenities either, and it’s well worth a visit to the Augustine to soak in the splendor of its spa, magnificent cocktail bar and tantalizing terrace restaurant.

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