Food is a big part of any trip to Prague, but it’s also easy to fall into the tourist traps in the center. We’ve picked 10 restaurants that combine strong Google ratings, traditional Czech dishes (goulash, roast pork knuckle and the rest) and good draft beer at prices that won’t wreck your budget. A great option if you finish one of our Prague tours feeling hungry.
1. U Pivrnce (Prague 1)
An Old Town gem with walls covered in cartoons and an atmosphere that wins you over the moment you walk in. Its goulash and Pilsner Urquell are among the best-rated for value in the area.
Address: Maiselova 60/3, 110 00 Staré Město.
2. Lokál Dlouhá (Prague 1)
The traditional Czech pub reinvented. The beer comes straight from tanks for maximum freshness, and although it’s usually packed, it keeps its reputation thanks to local ingredients and honest cooking.
Address: Dlouhá 33, 110 00 Staré Město.
3. Havelská Koruna (Prague 1)
If you want the cheapest option without giving up quality, this self-service canteen is a Czech classic. The svíčková (beef sirloin in cream sauce) costs a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere in the center.
Address: Havelská 502/21, 110 00 Staré Město.
4. U Parlamentu (Prague 1)
Close to Charles Bridge, it’s a refuge of authentic food in the middle of the tourist zone. Portions are generous, and the roast pork knuckle (koleno) is perfect for a traditional dinner after a day of sightseeing.
Address: Valentinská 52/8, 110 00 Staré Město.
5. Restaurace Mlejnice (Prague 1)
Tucked away in an alley near Old Town Square, it has the rustic feel you’re looking for. Its specialty is goulash served in a bread bowl, with consistent quality and surprisingly low prices for such a central spot.
Address: Kožná 488/14, 110 00 Staré Město.
6. U Kroka (Prague 2)
At the foot of Vyšehrad, it’s a favorite for anyone who wants to escape the Prague 1 crowds. The Czech cooking here is a little more refined, but prices are still neighborhood-level and the service stands out.
Address: Vratislavova 12/28, 128 00 Praha 2.
7. Kantýna (Prague 1)
A one-of-a-kind place for meat lovers: a butcher shop and restaurant in one, where you choose your cut and they cook it on the spot. It’s informal, with shared tables, but the food and beer are on another level.
Address: Politických vězňů 1511/5, 110 00 Nové Město.
8. U Pinkasů (Prague 1)
Famous as the first pub in Prague to serve Pilsner Urquell. It has several floors and a hidden garden next to a Gothic church, perfect for a tank beer with fried cheese (smažený sýr).
Address: Jungmannovo nám. 15/16, 110 00 Můstek.
9. Pivovar U Medvídků (Prague 1)
Half hotel, half historic brewery, it’s famous for its craft beer (including the X33, one of the strongest in the world) and a medieval tavern feel that comes across as genuine. The daily lunch menus are usually very affordable.
Address: Na Perštýně 345/7, 110 00 Staré Město.
10. Restaurace U Bansethů (Prague 2)
A bit further out (around Nusle/Vyšehrad), but a local legend. It has won awards for its beer and roast duck, and it’s the place to go for truly local prices away from the tourist circuit.
Address: Táborská 389/49, 140 00 Praha 4 (on the Prague 2 border).
Tips for eating out in Prague
- Book ahead at places like U Pivrnce or U Kroka, as they fill up fast.
- Tipping in Prague is usually 10–15% if the service was good.
- When you see “Tankovna” or “Tankové” at a pub, it means tank beer: fresher than regular keg beer, and the one we recommend trying.
Planning the rest of your trip? See our Prague itinerary for 2, 3 or 4 days, and if you want to keep going after dinner, our Prague nightlife guide.
