I have visited Prague at two very different times in my life; the first time was on a weekend trip when I was studying abroad in London at age 21 and the second time with my cousin on a weeklong trip at age 27.
The experiences varied in many ways, but the magic of Prague was the same. It’s a city that, while modernized like many cities in Western Europe, maintains a quaint Eastern European charm despite the massive waves of tourism that have increased year after year. At 21, I loved the vibrancy of the nightlife and bustle of the main squares and shops. At 27, discovering the history, resiliency, and breathtaking architecture of Prague made me fall in love with the city all over again. Plus, the nightlife was still pretty fun then too! Read on for a comprehensive list of my top 12 places to eat, drink, and see while you’re there.
FOOD
U Prince: This cozy spot has the perfect patio restaurant bordering Old Town Square, just steps away from the famous astronomical clock. Even in winter weather (we were there in late November), we were totally comfortable sitting out on the patio because of all of the heaters and fur throws available for guests. They also have a rooftop that looks out over the city! Definitely take advantage of that during the daytime for lunch or early drinks because trust me, you want to see those views.
Como: If you’re looking for something removed from the hustle and bustle of Old Town, Como was a delicious restaurant just a 10-15 minute walk away in Wenceslas Square. This place was actually right across the street from our Airbnb, so it was one of our first food stops on the trip and it didn’t disappoint. They had a wide variety of cuisines, from Italian and Mediterranean to traditional Czech and even a few sushi options!
Lokál: Quite possibly the beigest, but most delicious, meal of our entire trip through Germany and the Czech Republic. This place serves up traditional Czech and Eastern European cuisine, so don’t expect it to be light. It was also very inexpensive for the amount of food!
Las Adelitas: When my cousin and I went to Prague last year, by the end of the trip we were craving some good texmex. We’re Texans through and through, who can blame us?! Little did we know, we would be lucky enough to find a legitimate texmex restaurant (complete with all the queso and margaritas our little hearts desired) just off of Old Town Square! This place did not disappoint and totally satisfied our cravings.
*Tip: While not a restaurant, you’ve gotta make sure you stop by one of the many food stalls along Wencesles Square for a smažený sýr! It’s basically a fried mozzarella square sandwiched between two buns and topped with mayo or tartar sauce. Healthy? Absolutely not, but it is probably the best thing to eat on your way home from a night out...ya know, to ease the pain of the next day ;)
DRINK
Anonymous Shrink’s Office: I don’t want to give too much away with this spot, but I just have to stress that you go. My advice? Make a reservation, follow the instructions, and don’t freak out. It’s an experience unlike anything I’ve ever had before. A girl we met in the neighboring town of Kutna Hora on a day trip (blog post on that coming soon!) told us to go but refused to say any more, and I’m so glad she didn’t spill all the secrets that the Anonymous Shrink’s Office holds.
Black Angel’s Bar: This was more of a swanky cocktail bar, rather than a rowdy nightclub, located in the basement of a restaurant in Old Town Square. Definitely make time to have a drink here to scope it out. When we visited, we were instructed that it was a “no photos allowed” bar, but the decor and ambiance was so stunning, I had to snap a sneaky photo on my phone.
Lucerna: Prague isn’t short on nightclubs, but if I had to pick one to go back to again and again, it would be Lucerna. It has the fun buzz of a high energy nightclub without being completely overwhelming. Make sure to check their calendar! They host weekly 80s and 90s nights, which is enough to make any millennial want to dance the night away.
Harley’s: Looking for something in between a nightclub and a sophisticated cocktail bar? Harley’s has you covered! Plenty of music and dancing to go around without being too crazy and the drinks come without the cocktail bar price tag. Americans will love the throwback nostalgia of the Elvis and 50s themed restaurant on top.
*Tip: Prague is home to some of the greatest nightlife in Eastern Europe, at least in my opinion, so it was super hard to narrow this down to only four spots. Hemingway Bar, Le Fleur, and Bugsy’s Bar were also amazing places to hit up for drinks.
DO
Charles Bridge: The link between Prague’s Old Town and the neighborhood of Malá Strana, the Charles Bridge is one of the few that is pedestrian-only. Musicians, street artists, and people selling handmade goods hang out along the bridge, which makes it a great place to pick up a souvenir or two. Legend has it that the historic Charles Bridge was so revered that Hitler spared it from destruction during WWII. Whether or not that’s true, I’m thrilled this beautiful piece of architecture came through unscathed.
John Lennon Wall: Located on the opposite side of the Charles Bridge from Old Town, the wall has become somewhat famous as a brightly graffiti’d wall with John Lennon’s portrait a fixture at the top. It’s a great stop for Instagram shots (although, truly, where isn’t a good Instagram spot in this city?) And Prague’s love lock bridge is just a stone’s throw away! Pretty fitting for it to be so close to a mural dedicated to the guy who wrote “all you need is love.”
Astronomical Clock: There are stunning landmarks and architecture all over Prague, but one of the most recognizable is the astronomical clock. This clock is over 600 years old and the oldest one in existence that is still working. It’s a decadent and intriguing piece of machinery that has to be seen to be believed.
Museum of Communism: This was one of the things we did on my last trip to Prague that I hadn’t done before, and I highly recommend anyone traveling through Eastern Europe to go. Prior to visiting the museum, I didn’t have a clear understanding of what communism truly was and how detrimental it was to so many places in Eastern Europe, Prague included. I’m not much of a museum girl, but it was an eye-opening experience that I think allows you to appreciate how far the city has come since it was under communism rule not all that long ago.
*Tip: Prague Castle has a beautiful cathedral, but it’s quite the hike to get up to the top. If you aren’t keen on walking a ton, I would say skip the castle and wander the streets of Malá Strana, the neighborhood across the Charles Bridge from Old Town. There are plenty of cafes and beautiful architecture to keep you occupied for hours.
Though there are just 12 spots listed above, there is so much more to do in this beautiful city. There’s a reason it’s one of the most visited places in Eastern Europe! Have you been to Prague? What was your favorite thing you did? I would love to hear from you.
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