PRAGUE

38 CAFÉS
Bresto Prague 1, Štěpánská 31, MMůstek, tel. (+420)
222 21 28 10. New teeny tiny cafe and wine bar. Early hours
make it nice for a pastry and coffee, stop by at lunch for one of
their freshly made sandwiches and in the evening choose from
their extensive wine selection. And what welcoming staff we have!
QOpen 7:30 - 22:00, Sat, Sun 8:00 - 22:00. (50-200kč). J
Café Imperial I-3, Praha 1, Na Poříčí 15, MNám. Republiky,
tel. (+420) 246 01 14 40. After a long facelift,
the landmark Imperial has reopened with the Art Nouveau
tiles and wood carvings still in situ within the high ceiling-ed
rooms. The stale donuts have sadly not reappeared but the
beautiful and historic space is well worth visiting for breakfast,
a sandwich or meal (chef Zdeněk Pohlreich hails from the
Radisson SAS Alcron and Marriott), although reviews have
been hit and miss. A decent cocktail list will keep you here
late. QOpen 07:00 - 23:00. (130 - 400Kč). PA
Café Louvre D-4, Praha 1, Národní 22, MNárodní třída,
tel. (+420) 224 93 09 49, www.cafelouvre.cz. In true French
style, this historic café is for anything but bourgeois tastes.
Café Louvre is a true slice of Czech life where a great breakfast
is served that one can enjoy with an international newspaper.
Whether you want to play a game of pool in the swank billiard hall
or indulge in some fresh pastries over coffee, this is the perfect
place to have a great café experience. QOpen 08:00 - 23:30,
Sat, Sun 09:00 - 23:30. (100 - 500Kč). PTAG
Café Savoy G-5, Praha 5, Vítězná 5, MAnděl, tel.
(+420) 257 31 15 62, www.ambi.cz. A fabulously restored
grand café dating back to 1893 with a particularly stunning
neo-Renaissance ceiling. Sit under the chandeliers to order
food from the café menu with traditional Czech dishes or from
the more elaborate French gourmet menu. Don’t skip the
pastries and cakes that are made on the premises though.
Great for a lazy breakfast with a newspaper too. QOpen
08:00 - 22:30, Sat, Sun 09:00 - 22:30. (140 - 300Kč). AP
Coffee Fellows E-2, Praha 1, Dlouhá 20,
MStaroměstská, tel. (+420) 222 31 02 00, www.coffeefellows.cz.
Famous for their pastries, tea, coffee and syrups.
Sandwiches, bagels, cookies etc. all vie for your attention but
try the caramel slice for a taste of heaven with some toffee
mixed in. Seating is high and low, the few armchairs have
their backs to the room and the banquette seating proves a
tad uncomfortable. There is little privacy too, but it is tasty.
QOpen 08:00 - 22:00. PABW
Coffeeheaven E-1, Praha 1, Pařížská 1,
MStaroměstská, tel. (+420) 222 31 19 67, www.
coffeeheaven.cz. While Starbucks is snoozing in Seattle, a
cunning Polish franchise outfit has sneaked a large number
albeit somewhat faceless cafés into Prague. The coffee
comes in paper cups and ranges from 32Kč for an espresso
to 84Kc for the large white chocolate mocha. The sandwiches,
panini and cakes are tasty and reasonably priced, and there’s
a 120Kč breakfast offer. QOpen 08:30 - 21:00. Also at E-4,
Praha 1, Na příkopě 3, Palác Flóra & I-4, pasáž Rokoko, Praha
1, Václavské nám., tel. 224 2 4 70 61. PAGS
Cukrkávalimonáda B-2, Praha 1, Lázeňská 7, tel.
(+420) 257 53 06 28. A small café which adopts an evening
menu at 18:00 and produces delicious meals such as chicken
breast with prosciutto and mozzarella on balsamic vinegar
and fresh baby spinach to go with some superb (but spendy)
new world wines. Daytime offerings are just as tasty from
the breakfast menu to pancakes, sandwiches and homemade
pasta. As relaxed as the beautifully tranquil square
it is located on. QOpen 09:00 - 24:00, Sun 09:00 - 18:00.
(80 - 350Kč). PG
Ebel E-3, Praha 1, Týn 2, MNám. Republiky, tel. (+420)
224 89 57 88, www.ebelcoffee.cz. Some of the best coffee
in town, sandwiches and salads, plus excellent smoothies
and cheesecake to die for. Wooden warmth inside beckons
you in the winter months, and in the evenings you’ll be serenaded
by some good jazz from Ungelt in the basement.
Beware of wandering stag parties from Legends across
the square. Check out their shop almost next door. QOpen
09:00 - 22:00. (60 - 160Kč). Also at D-2, Karprová 11, open
08:00 - 19:00; D-3, Řetězová 9, open 08:00 - 20:00. TAB
Espressamente Illy I-3, Praha 1, V Celnici 8 (Prague
Marriott Hotel), MNáměstí Republiky, tel. (+420) 222
881 258, www.marriottprague.com. Open for breakfast or
lunch; the new Espressamente Illy promises authentic Italian
Espresso and cappuccino. Located in the Prague Marriott
Hotel, it has a street entrance on V Celnici. Offering 20 kinds
of Illy coffee for your morning meetings, plus pastries and light
snacks; it’s a quiet place in a busy neighbourhood.
Face Cafe F-2, Náměstí Republiky 1, MNáměstí Republiky.
The place to show your face. Quite an upscale café for a mall, but
with a coffee, wine and cocktail list as long as theirs, it’s a worthwhile
trip. They’ve taken the theme seriously; the menu is framed and
the walls are covered with head shots. Sit inside along the window
and stare at the faces shopping below. QOpen 09:00 - 22:00.
Globe H-5, Praha 1, Pštrossova 6, MNárodní třída, tel.
(+420) 224 93 42 03, www.globebookstore.cz. The
Globe provides a sophisticated atmosphere to meet other
enlightened souls. Darker walls indicate an edgier characterisation
to this bastion of expat life which had become a
tad stuffy in its middle age. The good food, books (new and
second-hand) and internet café remain but now we also have
Gambrinus on tap as well as live music and events spicing
things up. QOpen 9:30 - 01:00. (40 - 120Kč). AUE
Grand Café Orient F-3, Praha 1, Ovocný trh 19,
MNáměstí Republiky, tel. (+420) 224 22 42 40, www.
grandcafeorient.cz. The first floor of the Cubist House of
the Black Madonna is home to a truly unique Cubist-style
café that was reconstructed from photographs to match
the one that was here from 1911 until the 1920s. Even cafécapital
Vienna doesn’t have one of these. The simple menu
lists pancakes, sandwiches and some good coffee. Try to get
a seat on the balcony overlooking Celetná street. QOpen
09:00 - 22:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 22:00. AP
NEW
Hunger Wall Café Lounge B-4, Praha 5, Plaská 615/8,
MAnděl, tel. 257 40 40 20, cafe@hungerwall.eu, www.
cafe-lounge.eu. This new café in Malá Strana is the height of
sophistication. Whether you are stopping by for an afternoon coffee
or evening glass of wine, you will enjoy elegant surroundings and
tasty treats. The cafe’s terrace shares a boundary with the historic
Hunger Wall, so in the summer stop by for a private moment.
Kafíčko C-2, Praha 1, Míšeňská 10, MMalostranská,
tel. (+420) 724 15 17 95. A haven for the healthy, Kafíčko
serves fabulous coffee and teas in a quiet smoke-free coffeehouse
just off mainstream tourism madness. Rest your
soul for a bit while you browse a newspaper, or try one of the
home-made cakes. QOpen 10:00 - 22:00. G
Karlín London J-3, Praha 8, Sokolovská 32, MFlorenc.
This café serves up excellent cakes, pancakes and ice cream
with cheblíčký being the only savoury offerings. The oddity here
is the London murals, the faux double-decker bus, plus Winston
Churchill and the Queen watching you sip your coffee, while the
bathroom entrance is through the red phone box. Q (40 - 150Kč).
Prague In Your Pocket prague.inyourpocket.com
Káva Káva Káva G-6, Praha 5, Lidická 42, MAnděl,
www.kava-coffee.cz. The future of the café for Prague
with internet in the back (free 15 minutes with purchase),
Wi-Fi all over and superlative staff. Czech or English,
it matters not for these always happy-to-serve girls.
Smoothies and café frappés along with cheap Czech Mex
standards make up the menu after the more usual cakes
and bagels. QOpen 07:00 - 22:00, Fri 07:00 - 24:00, Sat
09:00 - 24:00, Sun 09:00 - 22:00. Also at (E-4), Národní
31. (40 - 250Kč). W
Kavárna Obecní Dům Náměstí Republiky 5, MNáměstí
Republiky, tel. (+420) 222 00 27 63, kavarna.od@
vysehrad2000.cz, www.vysehrad2000.cz. Come for the
atmosphere as well as the treats. This Art Nouveau café on
the ground floor of Obecní Dům is one of the most elegant
in town. You’ll be treated to nice service amidst beautiful
surroundings, and we dare you to turn your head when they
start wheeling the cake cart around. A breakfast menu, plus
sandwiches and salads make this a good break point no
matter what time of day. QOpen 7:30 - 23:00. 90-470Kč.
JAEB
Lemon Café Praha 6, Šlikova 27, tel. (+420) 233
35 06 54, www.lemoncafe.cz. Up a steep slope from
the tram line is the light, airy and green Lemon Café with
fresh bread, delicate salads, sweet and savoury crepes,
and divine cakes. The casual bar area up front leads along
a corridor lined with tables to a rear room with large red
sofas, an atrium and dining tables. Magazines in English
and Czech, including the New Yorker entice but the cuisine
is the real draw, especially the homemade cakes. Tram
15, 22, 25 to Marjánka. QOpen 10:00 - 23:00, Fri 10:00 -
24:00, Sat 11:00 - 24:00, Sun 11:00 - 23:00. (95 - 250Kč).
PTAKW
Maluj Creative Café Praha 3, Korunní 105, MJiřího z
Poděbrad, tel. (+420) 774 62 58 51, www.studio-maluj.
cz. Do it yourself chic at this new café that serves up unglazed
pottery (plates, bowls, ashtrays, objects) in addition to the
usual café food and beverage items. Roll up your sleeves and
get creative with their paints, then they’ll glaze your work of art
for you to take home. QOpen 14:00 - 22:00. P
Ouky Douky Praha 7, Janovského 14, MVltavská, tel.
(+420) 266 71 15 31, www.oukydouky.cz. Holesovice’s
happiest corner is somewhat like an expat hangout minus
the expats – it’s up to you to decide if that’s a good or bad
thing. The cosy bar sells good coffee and simple meals, sells
books (mostly Czech), has internet at 90Kč/hr and occasionally
throws a party. QOpen 08:00 - 24:00.
Shakespeare & Sons Praha 10, Krymská 12, tel.
(+420) 271 74 08 39, www.shakes.cz. Thousands of
handpicked new and used English titles, earnest poetry and
prose readings and performance, newspapers, chess and
backgammon, Bernard beer, some funky original art and
mosaics, plus coffee, tea and cakes. Tram N°4, 22 or 23 to
the Krymská stop. QOpen 11:00 - 19:00. Also at C-2, U
lužického semináře 10. E
Slavia C-4, Praha 1, Národní třída 1, MNárodní třída, tel.
(+420) 224 21 84 93. Slavia is a throwback to days gone
by with a beautiful art deco interior and photos of celebrity
patrons. Its location can’t be beaten, with large windows
open to Národní Divadlo and the Vltava. Service is fine, but
you can sit here for quite a while without purchasing much
from the very well-priced menu. Good coffee, tasty meals,
snacks and pastries are all available. QOpen 08:00 - 23:00.
(45 - 320Kč). PAU
prague.inyourpocket.com
CAFÉS
NEWLY OPENED!
FRESHLY ROASTED COFFEE BREAKFASTS WINES
SANDWICHES, SALADS TAPAS / SNACKS CAKES
HUNGER WALL
RESIDENCE N
Pl Plas aská ká 6615
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15 150 0 00 PPra
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BUY ANY COFFEE
AND GET ONE FREE
by presenting this ad
Starbucks Praha 1, Malostranské nám. 28, MMalostranské.
Perhaps the last place on the planet without one,
Prague is now the happy home to a Starbucks. Wipe the tear
from your eye and order your grande skinny latte, no whip.
Smack dab in the middle of Malostranské náměstí; impossible
for the masses to miss. The ground floor is spacious, but
there’s more comfy seating downstairs. QOpen 7:00 - 21:00,
Sat, Sun 8:00 - 21:00. 75-195kč.
U Prstenu D-3, Praha 1, Jilská 14, MStaroměstská,
tel. (+420) 776 21 66 80, www.uprstenu.cz. A decidedly
modernist establishment; crackly 1930s jazz crooning and
funky old wooden chairs combine nicely and contrast with the
post-modernity of the gallerie itself next door. This café is
empty of both pretension and people - very pleasant indeed.
QOpen 10:30 - 22:00, Sat, Sun 11:00 - 22:00. (50 - 210Kč).
U Zavěšenýho kafe Praha 1, Úvoz 6, MMalostranská,
tel. (+420) 605 29 45 95. The name refers to a time when
richer clients paid for two coffees, leaving one for the next
impoverished artist to arrive. Sit and relax, buy a hanging
coffee if you’re feeling philanthropic, otherwise while away the
time in a space that exists outside the tourist zone around it.
QOpen 11:00 - 24:00. BK
Yessi Café I-3, Praha 1, V Celnici 4, MNám. Republiky,
tel. (+420) 222 21 25 85, www.yessicafe.cz. From the
makers of Pravda, Hot and Bellevue comes a casual café
for the masses. Purple and green dominate the upholstered
sofas and stools. Smoothies and juices are sadly pre-made,
sandwiches too for the lunch rush but you can also build
your own. Italian water ups the price, but the veggie and
hummos sandwich (99Kč) is superb. Alcohol and Illy coffee
also served. QOpen 08:00 - 19:00, Sat 9:00 - 18:00, Sun
10:00 - 18:00. PBS
December 2009 - January 2010
39