There are many ways to spend one day in Prague. If you take a day trip to Prague, then your itinerary might include visiting museums, taking a hop on hop off bus tour, or exploring Prague Castle. And I do recommend going to all these tourist spots.
But I’ve been to Prague a few times, and so I have done many of these things. This time, I wanted to eat and bar hop my way around Prague with friends. So, that’s what we did.
Here is how I spent a day in Prague.
Eat Trdelník in Old Town Square
Trdelník, also known as Chimney Cake, is a sweet pastry that is particularly popular in Prague. It has its origins in Hungarian-speaking regions of Europe, but it has become a symbol of Czech street food, especially in tourist areas of Prague such as Old Town Square.
The pastry is made from rolled dough that is wrapped around a stick, then grilled and topped with sugar and walnut mix. As it cooks, the sugar caramelizes and forms a crispy, sweet exterior. The inside remains soft and doughy. Trdelník is often served warm and can be filled with a variety of ingredients like ice cream, fruit, or chocolate.
Despite its tourist appeal, it’s important to note that Trdelník is not a traditional Czech pastry, but rather a recent addition to Prague’s street food scene.
Get Breakfast at Cafe Louvre
Cafe Louvre is a historic and iconic cafe in Prague. Established in 1902, it has been a prominent part of Prague’s cafe culture for over a century and is renowned for its elegant atmosphere and rich history.
Notable figures such as Franz Kafka, Albert Einstein, and Czech writer Karel Čapek were known to frequent the cafe. And in its early years, the cafe served as a center for intellectual debate and discussion. It was a place where artists, writers, philosophers, and scientists would gather to share ideas and engage in lively discussions. Although it closed during Czechoslovakia’s Communist period, it reopened in 1992 and is popular again.
While Cafe Louvre offers a variety of European cuisine, they do also offer a Czech breakfast and several traditional lunch dishes. But I can’t stop myself from ordering the pancakes in raspberry sauce.
Drink Svařák From a Market Stall
Svařák is a Czech mulled wine that is a popular traditional beverage in Prague, especially during the colder months. It’s a staple in Czech winter culture, commonly found at Christmas markets, outdoor events, and in cafes throughout the city.
It is typically made from red wine, heated and spiced with a variety of ingredients like cinnamon, cloves, star anise, citrus fruits, and sometimes sugar for added sweetness. The exact recipe can vary, with different spice combinations reflecting personal or regional preferences.
View Prague From the Dancing House Rooftop
For one of the more unique buildings in Prague, visit the Dancing House. It is also sometimes nicknamed Fred and Ginger as it represents Ginger Rodgers and Fred Astaire dancing. There was much early debate about it not fitting into the classical architecture of Prague. But it has now become one of the most recognized and visited buildings in the city.
There is a rooftop where you can order overpriced food and drinks. But there is a great view of Prague and especially Prague Castle across the river.
Drink Beer Delivered by Trains at Výtopna
There is no shortage of unique bars in Prague. And even though it is right in the center of a main tourist area overlooking Wenceslas Square, Výtopna Railway Restaurant is a fun place to stop for lunch and a beer.
The main attraction here is 900 meters of model train tracks which run through the entire restaurant and to each table. Your drinks are delivered by a model train. As for food, their specialty lies in meat and beer, with many locally made beers available. This is a great spot to stop for lunch while exploring the heart of Prague.
Amateur Advice: When our first round of drinks showed up at our table, we were so busy taking photos and video that the train backed up and returned to the bar with our drinks still on it and didn’t return for several minutes. So, you might want to designate one person as the “drink remover” if you’re taking pictures!
Stop for Evening Cocktails at Alcron Bar
I love a great cocktail. And that’s why I’ve made many stops at what was formerly Bebop Bar, and now known as Alcron Bar. It sits on the ground floor of the Almanac X Acron hotel. Unfortunately, while the cocktails are still very good, they are not served in the same theatrical way as before. And so, they no longer make the cocktail with the dry ice in the video.
End the Night at Anonymous Shrink's Office
One of the most unique cocktail bars in Prague, is without a doubt Anonymous Shrink’s Office. It is a speakeasy bar, and if you can find it, they have some of the best cocktails in Prague. They don’t have a drink menu, but rather you look at an ink blots (known as a Rorschac Test) and what you choose determines what you get. I guarantee you have never been to a bar like this. You might want to go early or make a reservation.
How to find Anonymous Shrink’s Office: Enter the bar named Ideas Are Bulletproof (which itself is a fantastic bar with a Southern U.S. theme) and then look in the back for the logo that marks the secret door.
