Prague has always had a very lively cafe culture, though it lags behind that of Vienna and Budapest. But café culture improved over the past few years with new cafés opening almost daily. Prague hotels has no shortage of cafes now and the city boasts excellent turn-of-the-20th-century coffee houses – from dark little side-street nooks that radiate intimacy and romance to majestic Art-Nouveau spaces. If you are looking for a place to read your favorite book, learn in Czech history or play cards, billiards, Prague cafes have something for everyone. Prague restaurants also serve as cafes during the afternoon and morning.
Here is the list of the most famous Prague cafes.
The famous Grand Café Slavia is a place with a great view of the Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and the Petrin Tower. It is situated across from the National Theatre, opened in 1881 (the same year as the theatre) and became a meeting place of artists and intellectuals, including former president Václav Havel. Moreover it is famous for such events as the students demonstration on November 17, 1989, which took place just under the big windows, that later turned into so called Velvet Revolution, and brought democracy back for the Czech people. Café Slavia has cherry-wood and onyx shrine to Art Deco elegance, with polished limestone topped tables and big windows. You can find in menu some great cream cakes, fresh salads, pastas and vegetarian dishes. It is open form 8am until 00.00 a.m. every day.
French-style café Louvre is Prague’s most amenable grand café dating from 1902. It was visited by celebrities like Franz Kafka, Karel Capek, Albert Einstein and many others. There is a variety of coffees and desserts and menu for regular dishes. Next door to café Louvre area is an excellent billiard room, with 5 pool tables. The café Louvre is open from 8:00 in the morning daily till 11.30 p.m. Try it for a great breakfast before 11:00 a.m., then play a little billiards, and enjoy art gallery downstairs when leaving.
The Globe is a cafe, bookstore stocking over 10,000 titles of new and second-hand books including English-language books, magazines and papers, gallery, internet stop in separate PC/laptop area, live music bar and just all round nice place. It is open from 9:30 to midnight daily. It serves great coffee and Czech beer, and a variety of pastries and light fare. It is a great meeting point in Prague.
Café Savoy is near Cafes Slavia and Louvre, it has remarkable interior and the neo-Renaissance ceiling. It was established in 1893 and after was transformed from a trendy haunt to a more traditional cafe again. It is located at the edge of Mala Strana and rarely troubled by tourist overload. You can sit under the chandeliers and order food from the café menu with traditional Czech dishes or from the more elaborate French gourmet menu and enjoy peaceful atmosphere.
Grand Café Orient is a wonderful contribution to the cubist movement located on the first floor of the House of the Black Madonna. Even Vienna famous for café culture doesn’t have one of these beautiful cafes. Grand Café Orient has green and white furniture offset by marble tabletops, dark wooden flooring, and chic black and white signage. The menu boasts pancakes, sandwiches and some good coffee. Seats on a nice balcony are overlooking Celetná street.