The way of life depends on where you are and who you are. Every city in the world has its differences, some of them are magic, some are not but it can be magic for you and not for another person. So I made this article to appreciate Prague in different way and to help you enjoy your time here. France and its international reputation invades the world with sausages, groceries, gourmet restaurants, and small shops of all kinds, not forgetting its chic side. The Czech capital does not escape this rule.
Let’s talk a little, talk about food and drinks!
Beer, goulash, and trdelnik are right in your stomach, you now only dream of red wine, cassoulet, and crescent? So take notebooks and pencils and write down these addresses in order to rejoice your belly!
Good little restaurants
We know the quality of the Czech gastronomy and its good restaurants but what is better than a good gourmet restaurant or a bistro? We are getting close to Valentine’s Day so here are some addresses to eat a French gastronomic with your Juliette or Romeo 🙂
LE POT AU FEU
This small restaurant with chic and modern decoration will astonish you by its refined menu but also by its choice of wine of great vintage and of good quality as well as by its purified atmosphere. Are you more for a grilled octopus or a foie gras? That does not suit you? Then taste the succulent pot-au-feu, specialty of the house. To finish in beauty you would be tampted by a tatin or pancake suzette? A good French meal never takes without its wine, so do you prefer Sauternes to St Emilion? Conquered? Book your place and try them both!
Website: Le Pot Au Feu Phone: +420 739 654 884 Address: Rybná 13
LE RENOMME
Located in Prague 1, this gourmet restaurant with warm and jazzy atmosphere will delight your taste buds. You can taste classics of French gastronomy such as foie gras, or cassoulet, or a good crème brûlée as a dessert but you can also try a sophisticated dish such as pumpkin soup and grilled chorizo. If you want to spend your Valentine’s Day there consider booking!
Website: Le Renomme Phone: +420 224 934 109 Address: Na Struze 1
LE CAFÉ DE PARIS
A good French name, a true identity, and a decoration reminiscent of the hexagonal, here is the atmosphere which you plunge at the Café de Paris in. This restaurant invites you to taste typical French dishes. You can eat snails, onion soup, duck confit, or a cheese platter.
Website: Café de Paris Phone: +420 603 160 718 Address: Maltézské nám. 4
MASA
The Masa restaurant, run by the French chef Hervé Rodriguez, is the ultimate gastronomic restaurant! Its refined decoration, its succulent dishes – for example a perfect egg with truffles. The chef proposes three dishes including 2, 6, or 10 dishes. It is up to you to make your choice and to discover the mixture of flavors. You have to be patient, though – the restaurant is currently closed due to technical reasons.
Facebook page: Masa Prague Phone: +420 225 092 900 Address: Ovocný trh 12
To this small list of French gourmet restaurants one could add the Svata Klara, an excellent restaurant neat with delicious meals but this venue is also closed till the end of April because of renovation.
Bistros among friends
Is there anything better than a small French bistro for a meeting with friends? If you agree with that make notes!
CHEZ MARCEL
Are you looking for a typical French restaurant? You have found it! In Chez Marcel you can taste all the specialties of the hexagon: snail, onion soup, foie gras, tartare, mussels, beef bourguignon, nougats, crème brûlée, and of course the unmistakable cheese platter. All these dishes served in a very French atmosphere. Friends and those of you who are nostalgic of sweet France of Charles Trenet you are invited to stay for a meal at this place!
Facebook page: Chez Marcel Phone: +420 222 315 676 Address: Haštalská 12
BILA KRAVA
Notice to high-quality meat lovers! This restaurant is your restaurant! The name of the venue already announces the color because Bila Krava means “White cow”, a breed of Charolais around the areas of Bordeaux used by the restaurant for its dishes equally good one than the others. If you dream of Osso Buco and lemonade, go for it!
Website: Bílá Kráva Phone: +420 224 239 570 Address: Rubešova 10
LA GARE
This small French brasserie combines local dishes and gastronomy where you can taste the famous Niçoise salad. As well as oysters with bacon, a wine chicken and one of the many flamed tarts! All this accompanied, of course, by French wine and a typical bistro setting. Therefore, it is the perfect place for dinner with your family or friends.
Website: La Gare Phone: +420 222 313 712 Address: V Celnici 3
Good bars
After a good rib steak or a tartare among your friends, why to not continue the evening with a glass of wine in a French bar?
BONVIVANT’S
If you like cocktails and French atmosphere the Bonvivant’s is the place for you. This small bar with rustic-style decoration puts everything doesn’t put on cocktails and bartenders only because besides drinking good coctails there is a permanent show in a chic ambiance. So, if the rustic mix, chic, and cocktails is your hobby, go for it!
Facebook page: Bonvivant’s Phone: +420 775 331 862 Address: Bartolomějská 305/3
LE CAVEAU
In this small corner of France you can drink a good glass of St Emilion, or a cremant of burgundy according to your tastes but also buy your favorite bottle, or take your bread or a good French pastry with you.
Website: Le Caveau Phone: +402 777 164 083 Address: nám. Jiřího z Poděbrad 9
Butchers, grocery stores, bakeries
Do you prefer cooking French food in your apartment for your “aperitifs” with friends and do you wonder if it is possible in Prague? Well, it is, so here are some addresses:
LA FRANCERIE
Are you being nostalgic for the products of your region? Are you missing Danettes and saucisson? La Francerie is awaiting you in its boutiques in Prague 3 and Prague 4!
Website: La Francerie Phone: +420 773 677 085 Address: Kolínská 3 / Nuselská 44
FRANSYR
France is popular for variety of cheese, too. Do you love them? Go to the Fransyr, a French cheese dairy in the heart of Prague which offers classics of formations and small discoveries.
Website: Fransyr Phone: +420 775 627 913 Address: Vodičkova 701/34
AU GOURMAND
Can’t you live without a good baguette? In this small bakery you will find quality baguettes and bread, as well as prime cakes and other French products. You will also be able to relax and have a croissant with chocolate.
Website: Au Gourmand Phone: +402 602 682 189/+420 725 854 253 Address: Dlouhá 10/Palladium
Chic & Culture
French people like good food and they are proud of their traditions. And they are no less proud of their chic and artistic side. Indeed, French know-how in haute couture is recognized internationally as their pride. Thanks to writers like Moliere or Voltaire and to names more modern in architecture or fashion such as Philippe Starck or Nicolas Ghesquiére, France enjoys an image of luxury that maintains abroad, and Prague is no different.
Shopping
The French fashion is what it is, and wherever where we are, it makes us dream, so if you also want to please yourself with haute couture Made in France, here is the list of shops just for you:
HERMES
The great French couture brand Herme, will make you crack on one of its perfumes, jewels or luxury clothes. Despite its chic image, Hermes remains accessible unlike other brands.
Facebook page: Hermes Phone: + 420 224 817 545 Address: Pařížská 12
GUERLAIN
The renown of Guerlain is international and no way it wouldn’t reach the fabulous Czech capital. So you can buy your favorite perfumes, luxury clothes, or simply enjoy the spa and beauty products of the brand.
Website: Guerlain Phone: + 420 227 195 330-1 Address: Dlouhá 704, 705/16
Culture
Who has never seen a film with Louis de Funes or read a book by Victor Hugo? France is also a cultural dimension. Thanks to the Institut Française you can find all the classics of French culture in Prague.
KINO 35
Being a French expatriat, if there is one thing you miss after the sausage and the raclette it is the cinema “franchouillard”, not in English! The Kino 35 offers you a wide variety of French films to satisfy you!
Website: Kino 35 Phone: + 420 221 40 10 11 Address: Štěpánská 35
MULTIMEDIA-LIBRARY OF THE FRENCH INSTITUTE
Like the Kino 35, the multimedia library depends on the French institute. You can borrow many classics of French literature but also more recent works. So, after a cinema visit take time to read a book 😉
Website: Médiathèque de l’Institut Française Phone: + 420 221 401 011 Address: Štěpánská 35
Thanks, this is very concise and I know I’ll refer to it often. I love all things French, and Le Caveau has been my favorite café since I moved here three ears ago. I live the pastries and bread, and cheese.
I brought home a lemon tartlets, Pavlova and raspberry mousse today, had some of each for dinner and thought to myself, why bother earing anything else–just live on pastries?
I used to like La Gare but their Eggs Benedict portion has shrunk alarmingly–and after I posted a photo of it on Trip Advisor.