Prague’s Cafes – Part 2

Prague 1

EMA espresso bar

Located between Florenc and Masarykovo nádraží, EMA espresso bar, as its name suggests, has a selection of both espresso based and filtered coffees to be had. They also serve light meals (toasties, sandwiches and the like) as well as pastries and cakes, all baked in-house at their very own bakery.  As well as this branch, EMA also has another cafe in Palmovka with their bakery; Alf&Bet, housed alongside. Cafe Lounge, with a slightly more formal feel to it, and larger menu,  located in Malá Strana, is also owned by EMA. Whilst in EMA (the one by Masarykovo nádraží / Florenc) be sure to pop across the road to Manifesto afterwards – a street food market that opened summer 2018.

• Getting there: Metro – Line B – Náměstí Republiky, Tram – 3, 4, 15, 26 – Praha Masarykovo nádraží
• Best for: Coffee, baked goods
• Opens: Mon-Fri: 8am-8pm, Sat-Sun: 10am-6pm

Republica Coffee

Republica coffee is one of the few speciality cafes you’ll find in the very centre of Prague. Nestled just around the corner from Národní třída, this small espresso bar has a fun design with accents of black and yellow, including its bright yellow La Marzooco espresso machine. The focus is on espresso based drinks, but there’s a small selection of light bites and the usual soft drinks and tea also. A great place to grab a coffee whilst exploring downtown Prague or a pitstop on the way to the office. If you’re venturing outside Prague, you’ll find their sister branch in Karlovy Vary, a spa town in western Czech Republic, near to the German border. With that in mind, be sure to check out an article on cafes outside Prague in the next few weeks.

• Getting there: Metro – Line B – Národní třída, Tram – 2, 9, 18, 22 – Národní třída
• Best for: Coffee and cake
• Opens: Mon-Fri: 7am-7pm, Sat-Sun: 8am-7pm

Tricafe

Tucked away in a side street moments away from the riverside and Charles Bridge, Tricafe, like Republica Coffee, is another unlikely inhabitant of central Prague 1. A lovely place to sit and read a book, or watch the world go by, this bright and lovingly designed cafe has been around since 2013. Opened on a small budget, the cafe has grown from strength to strength and features an eclectic array of deserts, light meals and caffeinated beverages. Their focus is on attention to detail and a friendly service. Likely mammacoffee, they’re trying to do their bit to help the environment, with a 10% discount on coffee if you bring your own cup. And don’t worry if you forget, their takeaway cups are biodegradable.

• Getting there: Metro – Line A – Staroměstská, Tram – 2, 17, 18, 27 – Karlovy lázně
• Best for: Light lunch/brunch, coffee, cakes
• Opens: Mon-Sun: 10am-6pm

Prague 7

Vnitroblok

Housed in a converted warehouse space in Holešovice, Vnitroblok (literally translated as courtyard) is a trendy space incorporating a cafe, event space and a selection of boutique shops. There’s loads of seating, letting you choose whatever feels comfiest. A good menu with a nice selection of dishes is available – a focus on healthy dishes for the most part. And when you’ve finished your tasty treats, why not take a browse through the clothes, homewares and shoes all for sale from different niche brands?

• Getting there: Metro – Line C – Vltavská, Tram – 1, 12, 14, 25 – Dělnická
• Best for: Events, light meals, multi-tasking
• Opens: Mon: 12pm-10pm Tue-Sat: 9am-10pm, Sun: 9am-8pm

Dos Mundos

Yet another roaster with multiple cafes in Prague. Dos Mundos, located in the heart of Letná, is a bright space with a clean deign, the swing-like seats in the window being a fun touch. A wide selection of espresso based drinks and filtered coffees are on offer as well as a cakes (w/ gluten free options), toasties and sandwiches. Being a roaster, they rotate the different bean varietals, giving you a new taste each time, also selling a wide variety of beans and ground coffee to take away with you. Their roastery and sister branch is located on Korunní in Vinohrady.

• Getting there: Tram – several incl. 12,17, 25, 26 – Kamenická
• Best for: Coffee, beans to go
• Opens: Mon-Fi: 8am-9pm, Sat-Sun: 9am-7pm

Bistro 8

Situated just around the corner from Strossmayerovo náměstí, Bistro 8 first opened its door in 2012, and has slowly grown in size during its seven year existence. The focus is on locally sourced ingredients, where possible, and tasty dishes with a healthy vibe – vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options are all available. As well as their Letná premises, Bistro 8 has also, quite recently, opened a branch located just around the corner from Jiřího z Poděbrad on Ondříčkova. Both cafes have impressive interior design, making you feel at home whether you’re there for a catchup with friends or on a business lunch.

• Getting there: Metro – Line C – Vltavská, Tram – several incl. 12, 17, 25 – Strossmayerovo náměstí
• Best for: Brunch
• Opens: Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm, Sat-Sun: 10am-4pm

Others

I need coffee!

Opening in 2012, I need coffee! has been around longer than many of Prague’s third wave cafes. Occupying a small space just around the corner from Palackého náměstí, this delightful coffee shop is great for a morning coffee on the way to work or a post bicycle ride hot beverage. Owned by an interior designer/architect, the space, although small, has a simple yet fun interior with a nod to functional Scandinavian design. Espresso based drinks are prepared using a La Faema E61 machine, a thing of beauty in its own right, with a selection of cakes, light snacks and soft drinks along side. There’s always a nice selection of magazines to read while you sip, and an array of coffee equipment for sale (filters, cups, beans, etc.).

• Getting there: Metro – Line B – Karlovo náměstí, Tram – 2, 3, 10, 16 – Palackého náměstí
• Best for: Coffee and a book
• Opens: Mon-Fri: 7.30am-7pm Sat: 9.30am-5pm

Kavárna co hledá jméno

Run by the same folks as Vnitroblok, Kavárna co hledá jméno (Cafe that’s searching for a name) has a similar vibe to its sister premises, thanks to the building’s industrial past. Housed in a former warehouse space, the cafe has plenty of seating space with an outside ‘terrace’ also. The design mixes industrial aspects with wooden features that help to make the space feel a little cosier. Coffee is prepared on a La Marzocco Linea PD, with a wide variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages also available. Brunch is also catered for with the usual ‘on trend’ dishes, think avocado toast, eggs Benedict and fruity porridge (for the more heath conscious). All in all a great cafe in the fairly independent-cafe-sparse area of Smichov. Great for a meeting, finding a quiet corner to read a book or brunch with friends.

• Getting there: Metro – Line B – Anděl, Tram – Several incl. – 2, 4, 10, 16 – Anděl
• Best for: Coffee, Brunch, Meetings
• Opens: Mon: 12pm-10pm Tue-Fri: 8am-10pm, Sat-Sun: 9am-8pm