Where To Find The Best Street Food In Prague

Prague is one of the most walkable cities in Europe. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of iconic buildings, castles, churches, and bridges throughout Prague. Walking down its streets is the perfect way to experience this beautiful city. Medieval architecture in Prague’s Old Town is some of the best-preserved in all of Europe and the views from its bridges are absolutely awe-inspiring. 

Czech culture is vibrant and distinctive and their local cuisine is vital to any travel experience. Modern and authentic Czech cuisine can be found in Prague’s restaurant scene, and the nightlife is famously lively. Without a doubt, there are dozens of world-class food destinations throughout Prague, but street food has an outsized voice in the cultural conversation of this city. Perhaps this is due to the city’s walkability and accessibility of Prague’s main attractions, but there is a huge emphasis on quality bites to complement the remarkable atmosphere. Here are some of the best ways to find unforgettable street food in Prague. 

Before you start exploring, don't forget to drop off your bags at one of our Bounce locations for luggage storage in Prague. The lighter you travel, the easier it will be to get around.

The Best Street Food Vendors in Prague 

Ham and Halusky at Old Town Square

This might be one of the first Prague street food spots you come across. Old Town Square is a must-see place, and the street vendors here are exceptional for their local delicacies Ham and Halusky. Halusky consists of potato dumplings, sauerkraut, and ham - which could be considered the three main food groups of the Czech Republic. This dish will be served in a portable bowl for a nice lunch in the square. The same stands will also offer their smoked ham, but you won’t need to read the menu to know this, because you will smell the ham cooking from across the square! Combined with rye bread and mustard, this could end up being your favorite thing you eat in Europe, let alone Prague street food. 

These vendors also offer other local favorites. So if you’re out and about, a sausage or a fried cheese sandwich is the perfect snack to soak up all the beer or wine in between pubs. 

Banh-mi-ba

Prague enjoys one of Europe’s largest Vietnamese communities, and the culinary impact is evident in both fine dining and street food. Banh-mi-ba is one of the many outstanding restaurants Vietnamese and serves as a casual dining spot as well as a go-to place to pick up one of their delicious Banh mi sandwiches. Banh mi is a perfect street food in that it is highly compact and portable. Delicious ginger chicken or steak is piled into a french baguette, and served with veggies for crunchy, savory deliciousness. If you’re near the Florenc Bus Station, this is a quick walk. If you have more time time to kill, take a seat in their small dining room and get lost in a steamy, brothy bowl of pho. 

Trdelnik & Coffee 

While you can find this Prague street food just about anywhere in the city, Trdelnik & Coffee is the best in Old Town. Trdelnik (or chimney cake) is the most popular sweet treat in the Czech republic. Honoring the neighborhood’s roots as Prague’s Jewish quarter, this shop’s menu is entirely Kosher. It’s perfect if you’re on the go, but want to satisfy your sweet tooth. Grab a morning latte, and one of these curly confections before heading out to nearby Parizska Street for some of the best shopping in Prague. 

Strudel at Havel’s Market

Most people rightly associate strudel with Germany or Austria, but the pastry stand at Havel’s Market is churning out Prague’s best strudel. The apple strudel is the most popular option on offer at this vendor, but they combine plum and poppyseed to create one of the most interesting desserts in Prague.

Absintheshop

Thanks to the world-famous Hemingway’s Bar, Prague is forever associated with Absinthe. This psychedelic liqueur is known for its distinct taste and heady effects, but one of its best uses comes in the form of an ice cream cone from local establishment Absintheshop. This ice cream has been infused with the iconic (even infamous) liquor and carries its distinctive bitter flavor with a nice balanced sweetness. These cones are not too boozy, so they can be treated as a novel afternoon treat to cool down. 

Johnny Pizza

If you’re looking for a truly quick and truly familiar bite or need to satisfy a craving after drinking too much pivo, come grab a to-go slice at Johnny Pizza. Located right near the Buselska meteor stop and the University in Prague 2, this slice shop is modeled after New York’s favorite street food, pizza slices. They will have a selection of a few creations, and some classics. It may not scream Bohemian, but when you’re hungry and on the go, there’s nothing better than a slice of New York-style pizza 

Náplavka

If you’re on an afternoon stroll along the Vltava river, you might come across the Náplavka Farmer’s Market. This is one of the best food markets in the city, and just as scenic as neighbor Havel’s Market. Sample some of the local produce as well as familiar favorites from their many stalls. They rotate their vendors, so you never know what you’re going to get. What you will know is that it will be good! Grab a bite and scope out the nearby barges for a boat ride on the river (beer is allowed on these). 

Libeřské lahůdky

This deli, located near The National Museum in Old Town, churns out the best selection of chlebicek in Prague. This open-faced sandwich is a Prague street food that has not been deep-fried, doused in oil, or buried in sugar. Libeřské lahůdky tops a single slice of fresh bread with fresh toppings like ham, potato salad, and other favorites. Try a sandwich with rye bread for an even more flavorful lunch. Another option for an amazing chlebicek that’s just a few minutes away is Sister’s Bistro. 

Nase Maso 

This butcher shop is a meat lover’s heaven. Not only do they have a wide variety of sausages, but they also offer one of Prague’s best burgers. They have a to-go stand that is perfect for picking up a sandwich or hot dog before exploring Florenc or heading into Old Town or Parizska Street. Try the open-face steak tartare sandwich on freshly baked and toasted rye bread for the proprietor’s favorite. 

Can Bey Doner Kebab 

Doner Kebab has become the unofficial street food of Europe, and it has its rightful place as a must-try Prague street food. If you find yourself in Prague 2, get yourself to Can Bey Doner Kebab to try a fantastic pita sandwich or rice plate. 

Where to Find the Best Prague Street Food Spots

Prague is a city of interesting and distinctive neighborhoods, but there are a few hot spots for finding the best street food. Many neighborhoods have iconic boulevards and “town square” intersections that are the perfect venue for vendors to set up shop and sell their delicious snacks and quick meals. 

Old Town Square 

Locally known as Staroměstské náměstí, this is the architectural center of Prague, with baroque buildings and churches surrounding this historic square. Most tourists are correctly advised that their trip to Prague is not complete without at least a short stroll through the square. Old Town Square could be considered the capital of Prague street food. You’ll find all the favorites here, including klobása, trdelnik, ham, and halusky. Whether you’re with the kids or planning your night out on the town, Old Town Square is the perfect jumping-off point to grab a quick bite. 

Havel’s Market

Havel’s Market (or Havelské tržiště) is one of the most iconic farmer’s markets in Prague. This inviting open-air market is located in Old Town near the Mustek metro stop and Wenceslas Square. The market is comprised of a few dozen stands that are situated in an alley. Iconic Old Town buildings surround this cozy street, which will feel more like a festive alley. 

Not only can shoppers enjoy an unbelievable selection of fresh produce, but they can also dig into some of the best street food in the city. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, try the traditional Prague strudels. The Apple Strudel might be the best sweet pastry in town.

SAPA Praha

Not everyone in the country is of purely Czech descent, which makes it refreshing to find cuisine and culture from far-flung places when traveling through Prague. SAPA Praha, Prague’s “Little Vietnam” neighborhood, is well worth the metro ride from Prague’s Main Railway Station. This market and shopping center is teeming with vibrant goods imported from Vietnam or created by local producers. 

Like many Asian malls and markets, the food court has an elevated status at SAPA Praha. There are steamy bowls of pho, banh mi sandwiches, and bun cha (meatballs) that are perfect lunch options. This is one of the best places in Prague to get non-Czech cuisine. Anyone who is vegetarian or meat-fatigued (pork knuckle and sausage aren’t everyday meals for most people) will be delighted to find a variety of delicious and light dishes of veggie-friendly Vietnamese classics. 

Wenceslas Square 

St. Wenceslas is officially known as the patron saint of Bohemia. He is also known as the patron saint of klobása, which is the most common type of sausage on the menu at the street vendors and sausage carts that line this gorgeous boulevard. Wenceslas Square is centrally located near The National Museum (Narodni Muzeum), so walking foods and handheld bites are perfect for being on the go.  

Klobasa is a simple, traditional dish, but there are options. German white sausages and spicy Polish red sausages are common. Heap some onions or sauerkraut on top, and smother in mustard. There is nothing better.    

Don’t sleep on the deep-fried cheese sandwiches (smažený sýr). These thick slices of breaded Edam or Gouda cheese are breaded, fried, and served on a thick bun with mayo or tartar sauce. This may look like an upscale filet-o-fish, but it’s one of the most authentic street foods you can find in Prague. 

If you want to take a break from sampling Prague's incredible cuisine, check out our guide to the best hikes in Prague.

Street Food Festivals in Prague

Prague Street Food Festival

Well, this one is aptly named. This bi-annual festival happens every Spring and Autumn in the Holesovice neighborhood. This event showcases local restaurants that want to showcase their best casual bites to almost 10,000 visitors each festival. Some of these restaurants come from out-of-town, but many are Prague-based stalwarts that treat the festival as a way to get together with their local friends and colleagues.

The menu varies, as there are dozens of vendors, but the offerings come from an astoundingly wide range of cuisines. Everything from Mexican churros to Vietnamese banh mi, to mini-bowls of ramen, are on offer here. The roster of restaurants changes every year, but the entries tend to be renowned restaurants looking to present their food in a casual setting at the best price possible. This is a great way of sampling a wide array of dishes from every culinary discipline imaginable.

Christmas Market

During the holidays, Old Town Square turns into a Christmas Market. In the same tradition as the German Christkindlmarkts, the festival grounds are held in a town square (or multiple venues) where temporary huts are constructed around a large Christmas tree. The temporary “village” consists of vendors selling ornaments, wooden toys, candles, clocks, and other handcrafted goods.

Perhaps the biggest draw of Christmas markets are the vendors selling street food, beer, and mulled wine. You’ll find large hams roasting on spits, klobása (sausages) on the grill, and knedlíky (smoked meat dumplings) at vendors throughout the market. All of these sights and smells will certainly make you ready to warm yourself with a beer and hearty dish.

Mulled wine certainly headlines the menu. Red wine (most commonly Cabernet) acts as the base, and then spices (cloves, citrus zest, and star anise) are added to deepen the flavor before sugar or honey are added to sweeten. Everything is warmed slowly to a pleasant and comforting temperature before serving. The result is a complex and satisfying winter warmer that’s perfect for spending an evening outside strolling through the market. It tastes of warm, sweet coziness with a spice that will excite your palate. So grab a sausage, some mulled wine, and find the best place in front of the massive Christmas tree to take that selfie.

Conclusion

It’s often said that you will learn the most about a city just by walking its streets, and this is particularly true of Prague. Wandering around town will be as memorable as any single tour or selfie. Some of life’s best meals can happen spontaneously, and Prague is a city where you will be on the go. Whether they are located in winding alleys, open-air markets, town squares, or chic boulevards, Prague’s street food vendors are always around the corner to fuel your adventure, and Bounce is here to help you have the freedom to wander.