9 Best Restaurants in Prague, Czech Republic

Overlooking the river and next to the National Theater, this old-school continental European-style café is one of a clutch in Prague where you can imagine playwright-turned-independence hero Václav Havel holding court or composer Bedřich Smetana winding down after a performance. Actually, you're not just imagining it: all sorts of Czech artistic luminaries have supped here, including the above, and Havel liked it so much he even lobbied for it to reopen when it closed for reconstruction in the 1990s. It's old-school, so beer is perfectly acceptable at almost any time of day.

Despite the quality of the cooking, La Veranda remains somewhat overlooked by visitors (though popular with locals), making a visit to this stylish, softly lighted room feel like you've been let in on a wonderful secret. The food is top-notch, with seasonal specials and a not outrageously priced six-course tasting menu showcasing the restaurant's greatest hits, like an incredibly rich beef tartare with egg yolk and black truffle. The à la carte options are equally inventive and deliver on flavor, too, from beef steak, beluga lentils, and zucchini to rabbit leg confit. Wine pairings are available.

This fine-dining establishment is widely considered to be one of the country's best restaurants—and for good reason. First and foremost, the food is superb; expect mouthwatering Czech classics and lesser-spotted seafood dishes, including scallops, lobster, and sea bream ceviche, all cooked to perfection by head chef Pavel Sapík. Second, the setting is gorgeous, from the elegant mirrored dining room (which has been in almost constant use since the 16th century) to the relaxing rooftop terrace. And third, the view over Malá Strana (Lesser Quarter), with its sea of burnt-orange rooftops, is simply unbeatable. Come for a delicious à la carte lunch any day of the week, or spoil yourself rotten with the evening tasting menu and wine pairing.

High-quality meals at not-too-high prices are the order of the day at this elegant, Viennese-style café, which dates back to the 19th century. Diners can enjoy everything from cream of green pea soups to crisp seasonal salads and Parisian steak tartare to classic Wiener schnitzel, all complemented by fresh breads from the in-house bakery. The selection of cakes and pastries make for the perfect sweet finish. For the very best of Café Savoy, come for breakfast during the week or for brunch on weekends; you'll need to book ahead.

The zenith of riverside dining is offered at this legendary restaurant just off the Charles Bridge, known almost as much for its chic decor and celebrity guests as it is for its elegant continental cuisine and great wines—it's the kind of place where European royals and heads of state mingle with their head-of-studio counterparts from Hollywood. But the real star power arrives on the plate, with dishes like olive-oil-poached halibut with truffle pearls or tuna tartare with caviar butter. The only drawback: the food and views command some of the highest prices in town.

The main restaurant of the Grand Mark Hotel has established itself as one of the best restaurants in the country. Don't expect lots of innovation here, but dishes are skillfully prepared and presented, and the focus is on seasonal ingredients, with a monthly changing menu. Plush velvet chairs, recessed lighting, and neutral textiles make the atmosphere hushed and professional.

For travelers sick of heavy dumplings, rich fare, and dimly lit cellar pubs, Mistral is an oasis: light, bright, and modern, with a short international menu featuring fresh salads, soups, and pastas, with some Czech specials thrown in. Service is always friendly and somehow the place never seems to be too busy, despite its central location. There are fresh flowers on the tables every day and a kids' corner designed by the owners' daughter.

This trendy bistro, on the corner of the neighborhood's main square, Karlínské náměstí, is all about light and space, with high ceilings, big windows, and an open kitchen, as well as muted colors throughout. It's also about great food, with particular pride taken in its array of meat dishes—from duck breast to pork loin to sirloin steak—cooked on the charcoal-fueled Josper grill. Come for lunch for a good-value two- or three-course lunch menu (255–325 Kč).

Residential, semirural-seeming Troja is hardly a dining hot spot, but this vineyard restaurant with rooms is a real treat if you are in the area or looking for something a bit different for a special-occasion lunch or dinner. High-end dining, a stylish setting, and delicious wines combine to make visitors forget, or maybe remember, that they are in the bustling Czech capital. A taxi from the city center, probably the easiest way to arrive, should take around 15 minutes.