We spent a full three months exploring the best that Europe had to offer and when we were asked about our favorite place, we’d repeat Prague over and over again. But not because of the reasons you think.
Guest post by Kan and Iris (more about them in the end of the post)
Most people visit Prague for the whimsical charm of the old town, taking snaps on Charles Bridge and joining the hordes of tourists under the Astronomical clock. Then you’ve got the Prague Castle and the awe-inspiring St. Vitus Cathedral which remains one of our favorite churches in all of Europe.
But what shocked us the most was the incredible quality of the food. Prague and Czechia (that’s what it’s called now right?) greater blew us away. Meal after meal, we were treated to some of the most delicious and interesting food that we’ve had. And when you’ve been traveling for 10 months around the world, you can imagine that we’ve become pretty tough critiques.
From beautiful chlebíčky (open sandwiches) to all sorts of sausages to what we consider the best beer in the world. Prague does not disappoint on the dining front. To come to Prague and not sample what their cuisine has to offer is missing out on a massive part of the experience.
Check out the three best places we ate at down below.
Sisters Bistro
Chlebíčky is what Sisters Bistro is all about. These open-faced sandwiches are a Czech staple but these guys take it up a notch putting a modern twist on what’s usually traditional offerings. The toppings vary from simple combinations such as ham and potato salad to more modern flavors drawing from international flavors like wasabi mayo with pickled herring.
When you’re tired of roaming around the old town, head over to the Nove Mesto building towards the north-eastern end of town and plonk yourself on one of the high tables to enjoy their sandwiches while watching the world go by.
Not to pigeon themselves into just sandwiches, they also have an outstanding pastry and cake section in the back half of the cafe in case you’re looking for something sweet to end your lunch.
Naše Maso
Naše Maso translates to “our meat”, implying that the meats that they source belong to them and are a high standard and to the levels expected of the butcher. We discovered that they work with several local farmers around the country who raise the animals specifically to their requirements. No additives or chemicals. Hence, full control over “their meat” through the entire process.
Conveniently located opposite Sisters Bistro, on the surface, it looks like a high-grade butcher. But upon closer inspection, you’ll notice an extensive menu board outside. Dry-aged cheeseburgers, lager-and-onion braised pork belly, variety of sausages and stakes. The list goes on and on.
The atmosphere is palpitating. You head inside and there’s no less than 15 staff behind the counter, all handling meat. It’s a carnivore’s dream.
Head over to the counter, have your pick of any specific cuts and cooked to your liking, or order straight off the menu.
And if that’s not enough, in typical Czech fashion, you can order yourself a beer by helping yourself to their self-service beer tap. The whole thing’s based on an honesty system. We’ll never go back to post-mix soft drink machines ever again.
We suggest you ask the staff for recommendations but you can’t go wrong with their sausages, meatloaf (must get!) or steak.
Their offerings change daily but you can bet on their greatest hits being there daily. One of the most unique experiences you’ll have but something you’ll be shaking your fist at, wondering why such a thing doesn’t exist back home!
Kantýna
Located inside a historic building previously used as a Masonic lodge and a grand bank, Kantýna is one of the most exciting establishments in all of Europe.
It’s devoid of the pretentiousness of French dining and despite some of the highest quality cooking, comes with a very reasonable price tag not seen in most parts of the world.
Those who are familiar with the concept of yum cha in Asia will fit right in. When you enter, you’ll notice a butcher counter set up on your left. Ignore this and head straight for the twin cashiers located in the hallway and grab a docket.
If you head straight through, the hallway will open up to a hexagonal chamber. A 5 meter-long standing table takes up the middle of the floor with buzzing Czech diners enjoying a beer between bites of their food. On the left, there’s a counter that serves pre-cooked roasts, grills and other assortments of pre-made food. On the right is the beer counter. Or double back and head to the butcher to order your own meat to cook to your liking (just like Naše Maso).
The theme is a pin bone and you’ll see pin bone motifs everywhere you look – from the shape of the room to the tiles to the lighting. There’s been a lot of effort and attention put into the interior design.
No matter where you order, just hand your docket and the staff will note what you order. Find yourself a spot and enjoy the night away. And when you’re either too drunk or too full to continue, head back to the cashier to pay.
We highly recommend their dry-aged cheeseburger, steak tartare and roasts.
What a beautiful concept.
Prague is a Food Wonderland
This is only just scratching the surface. We haven’t even gone into places like the great Vietnamese food (Prague has a huge Vietnamese population), Lokal (a dining institution) and Sansho. But one thing’s for sure, the cuisine will blow you away.
So tell us, have you been to Prague and were you blown away by the cuisine?
Let us know your favorite places to eat!
Author’s Bio
Kan & Iris are two Australians who have a love for food and design. They spend most of their time in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. After traveling for over a year, they found the information online to repeatedly recommend the same places to see, eat and do. Frustrated with this, they took matters into their own hands by spending long periods of time in one location and exploring deeper to uncover some of the best local restaurants, artists, and businesses. They’ve recently launched their blog at the start of 2020 and share their findings on their blog, focusing on alternative places to eat and explore.
BLOG / FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM / PINTEREST
Join my community!
I love working on Engineer on tour, but it is a time-consuming thing to make. I am always improving and trying to bring you the best from photography and travel.
Currently, my main platform is my Facebook Photo Page. I will be happy to see you among my followers’ families and engage in a friendly discussion. Let me know how I’m doing and feel free to suggest some topics to write about.
You can also find me on other social media:
FACEBOOK 2 (blog updates only) / TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / INSTAGRAM 2 (only Finland) / PINTEREST
Pinterest:
