The Coffee Critics explore specialty coffee houses in the Prague, Czech Republic. Here are several that meet our standards in every way.
Coffee at The Grande Cafe Orient
The Grand Cafe Orient is a step back in time to the architectural era of Cubism. Located in Prague’s Old Town or “Staré Město,” inside the historical House of the Black Madonna sits an unique specialty coffee house that must be seen to be believed.
Take the spiral staircase up to the second floor and enjoy picture windowed views of the ancient city of Prague while sipping modern coffee at its finest. Their approach to coffee or “Káva” is an artful mix of espresso-bar style preparation, harmonized with the beauty and elegance of a traditional Viennese coffee house. Built by the renowned architect, Josef Gočár, this cafe building symbolizes the unique Czech contribution to the cubist movement in architecture.
Address: Ovocný trh 19, 110 00 Staré Město, Czechia
Cubism
A visit here is a real-life classroom of Cubism. While ordering from the beautiful buffet-coffee-bar imagine yourself a true Bohemian; an artist, writer, musician or beatnik of the mid-19th-century. From the exterior facade to its interior furnishings and lighting; everything bears a cubist design element. Even the donuts are made in the shape of a cube!
Additionally, the atmosphere created by The Grand Cafe Orient captivates every one of your senses. From the first aroma as you enter, to the final decadent sip, you are transported to another time and place. We suggest you try a traditional Turkish coffee or their Káva Grand Orient made with specialty espresso, Havana run, Kahlua and whipped cream. Enjoy this truly other-worldly experience. If Pablo Picasso or Paul Cezanne were seated at the next table, it would hardly seem unusual.
Cafe NONA Coffee House
Address: Národní 1393/4, 110 00 Nové Město, Czechia
Located high above the bustling downtown city streets of Prague is the elusive Cafe NONA. By making your assent to the second floor of the New Stage or “Nova Scena” of the National Theater you will know you have finally arrived. A place to “see and be seen” in the heart of Prague’s high art district. Here, you can relax in front of large picture windows with incredible city views that highlight the Gothic, Baroque, and Art Nouveau architecture below.
National Theater
Treat yourself to a memorable coffee experience before taking in an opera, ballet or Lantern Magic / “Lanterna Magika” in the adjacent National Theater complex.
It’s no wonder that Cafe Nona’s coffee selection is first-class. Their preferred roaster, Julius Meinl, was founded in 1862, and is one of the oldest and finest roasters in the world. The decadent flavors of their premium blends, special blends and many single origins are moments to savor. Cafe Nona baristas skillfully prepare espresso-based drinks of every persuasion, as well as, an abundance of specialty “káva-crafted cocktails”. They are also known for their delicious homemade Czech desserts.
La Boheme Cafe
Address: Sázavská 2031/32, 120 00 Vinohrady, Czechia
If you’re seeking a truly Bohemian coffee destination, you cannot get any more authentic than a visit to La Boheme Cafe. La Boheme is located in one of Prague’s most desirable cosmopolitan neighborhoods; Vinohrady. It was formerly an outlying rural area of the city and the site of numerous vineyards. The famous Grebovka Villa and Vineyard remain a key cultural heritage site enjoyed by many locals and tourists alike.
La Boheme is known for their in-house artisan roasting. Their roastery team carefully selects the most interesting coffee varieties from multiple regions and are masterful at creating harmonious blends. They have taken the coffee experience and raised it to the level of art in true Bohemian style.
Their Guatemalan Tahuya is a fine creamy coffee great for espresso with notes of chocolate, dates and almonds. Should you favor a pour-over or drip brew, their House Blend combines origins from the most famous growing regions of Brazil and Ethiopia that culminate in a rich flavor full of nuts and fruits. Each sip soothing and expanding on the nuance of the last, for a truly unparalleled specialty coffee experience – La Boheme Cafe awaits.
Dos Mundos Coffee Roastery & Cafe
Address: 31, Korunní 968, 120 00 Praha 2, Czechia
While taking a tourist path less traveled, we were lucky to find Dos Mundos. We charted a Czech adventure to find the original Prague Castle of Vysehrad, a national heritage site of the Czech people. Vysehrad dates back to the 10th century and is the resting place of Czechoslovakian heroes too numerous to count. The castle offers stunning 360 degree panoramic views of Prague in every direction and a sprawling campus for choice exploration. Discover the secret tunnel where soldiers formerly entered or exited undetected before battle; it is featured in the “Mission Impossible” film with Tom Cruise running through it!
We were richly rewarded on this excursion, with both the amazing destination that is found in Vysehrad Castle, and the fantastic local cafe and roaster we discovered along the way; Dos Mudos. Here, we chose the Costa Rica Las Lajas; a premier blend with notes of berries and vanilla. Its distinctly warm flavor took the chill off an otherwise cold and rainy afternoon. Their barista carefully crafted lattes for us with this incredible blend, and warmed our souls with a Czech experience we will never forget. The atmosphere was full of local chatter, friendly greetings, and easy laughter. We truly felt at-home here, and could easily see ourselves as expats in this wonderful coffee city.
The FLAT Cafe
Address: Kodaňská 81/4, 101 00 Praha 10-Vršovice, Czechia
We were bloody amazed and delighted to find this British royal retreat in the heart of one of Prague’s most trendy neighborhoods. If you fancy a coffee destination juxtaposed with a quirky British interior, then this just may be your cup of tea.
The owners of The Flat Cafe will serve you a proper English breakfast, but the real find here is their Square Mile specialty coffee, an award-winning coffee roaster hailing from London. We chose their Classic Espressos which delivered loads of texture and balance, accentuated by caramel and chocolate sweetness.
Prior to leaving, we strongly suggest you visit “the loo.” It is neatly tucked behind a wardrobe door, and we promise you’ll feel as if you’ve just entered the world of Narnia. What a fun and Bohemian-Brit coffee experience. We at The Coffee Critics give it a two thumbs up!
Upon Reflection
Upon reflection, we were nothing short of astounded by the coffee culture of Prague. This dynamic Eastern-European city has taken the best of modern brew methods and combined it with the elegance of centuries past. You will find coffee houses of all types and varieties in this majestic city. From Viennese Coffee Houses, to Espresso Bars, or even a quirky cafe; Prague has it all. We wish we had more time to explore every last one, but we’ll be back.
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