Four Top Food Trends Defining Prague’s Menus

Selfie coffee shops, chlebíčky bistros and more vegan cafés than you can shake a carrot stick at

While Prague may not share the same cachet as London or Paris when it comes to being a hotbed of culinary innovation, the Czech capital is certainly not far behind. With a smorgasbord of emerging food trends percolating in Prague, it’s fast becoming a food destination to be reckoned with. From quirky cafés with feline company to the international flavours tickling Czech taste buds, here we explore the food trends defining what’s on the menu.

International Cuisine

Prague’s food philosophy is global and it’s got an international dining scene that rivals any cultured capital city. Italian cuisine is a huge Prague food trend and Aromi’s exquisitely plated dishes married with authentically Italian flavours have won it armfuls of awards. With its splendid parquet floors, lofty ceilings and chic palette of sage and grey, Aromi is Prague’s finest Italian restaurant – and certainly its most elegant.

Czechs love an aromatic curry and Prague has incredible Indian restaurants to choose from. One of its finest is K The Two Brothers. The smart eatery evokes British Raj opulence and its favourful dishes are inspired by the travels of Kapurthala ruler, Jagatjit Singh’s travels in the early 20th century.

Quirky Cafés

When a simple cup of coffee won’t cut it, Prague has all manner of novelty cafés to keep you entertained while you sip your flat white. A truly 21st-century café with a millennial mindset, SelfieCoffee is a must for Instagram lovers. Your cappuccino is served complete with an image of yourself in the foam. Snap a pic, then your barista will use a special printer to create the image using food dye.

For an oxytocin boost as well as the caffeine, the Cat Café serves its drinks with a side order of purrs. Spend an hour here and you’ll get unlimited drinks, cakes and muffins, plus fluffy four-pawed friends to keep you company.

Meat-Free Menus

Like the rest of the world, Prague’s been bitten by the plant-based bug and you’ll find all manner of vegan and vegetarian places. From coffee shops and cafés to fine dining restaurants, the meat-free options are plentiful. Bite into a naughty-but-nice cake and organic coffee or freshly pressed juice at MyRaw Café. This cosy spot’s inviting armchairs and homely vibe make it a heavenly place in which to unwind.

If hipster-friendly vibes are more your thing, make a beeline for Moment. This stylish joint puts a global spin on its ever-changing menu with creation like Thai tom yam soup and fully loaded burger-esque seitan bagels. Vegan dining gets a polish at the alluringly upscale Etnosvět. Resplendent with colour and flavour, its prettily plated dishes have that fine-dining flourish.

Heritage Eats

It’s reassuring to know that while Prague has embraced international foodie trends, it’s also reignited its love affair with its own dishes. Small bistros and intimate eateries recapture the sense of the Czech capital’s past. In the Old Town, Sisters serves chlebíčky (Czech open sandwiches) capturing the nostalgia for this food. But with toppings like walnuts and goats cheese, Sisters’ chlebíčky have a thoroughly modern twist.

For classically Czech dishes, Polévkárna in Karlín is where to go to tuck into hearty soups like beef borscht and chicken with tarragon. If you’re seeking centuries’ worth of tradition, the old tavern Krčma off Old Town Square is all about authentic unctuous goulash and fried pork schnitzel.