Michelin selection: 7 best restaurants in Prague, the Czech Republic

Ranked among the best restaurants in Prague, Casa De Carli is a simple straightforward Italian place with a comforting setting. Located in the heart of the city’s Old Town, the Michelin-selected establishment is the brainchild of Chef Matteo De Carli from Sicilia, who presents a contemporary offering of seasonal Mediterranean cuisine made using regional ingredients. Before starting his flagship spot in Prague, Carli gained valuable culinary experience working internationally at Four Seasons in Dublin, Bice Mare Restaurant in Dubai, Cipriani in New York City, and a few venues in Geneva.

Chef Matteo helms the open show kitchen, while the front of the house is managed by his wife, Lenka Hermanová, who also curates a cellar consisting of over 300 labels of vintages and rare wines to elevate your meal. Some of the delicious dishes you will get to savor here are pan-seared pigeon breast with celery root, slow-cooked veal in caper sauce, hand-cut beef tartare topped with Calvisius Sevruga caviar, stuffed pumpkin tortellini in rabbit ragù, roasted cod filet with chanterelle mushrooms, and grilled sea bass in lemon butter emulsion.

Average bill – $49

If you are looking for an appealing relaxed establishment to plan an intimate evening or a fun outing with friends, then Portfolio is the best place to get a table at. Situated inside an original warehouse building from the 1850s, the elegant Bohemian-inspired restaurant serves a fusion of French and Mediterranean cuisine flavored with Asian elements. The interiors are stylish and modern in design, featuring smooth leather cushioning, tall ceilings, wood-paneled flooring as well as wall furnishings, and diffused contemporary lamp fixtures.

The kitchen is managed by Chef Tomáš Císařovský, who has had the honor of working with great names like Jacques Auffrays, Petr Bureš, Carlo Bernardini, Gilad Peled, and Nicolas Sale. Patrons have an option of choosing between the à la carte offering and a few degustation seasonal menus. Expect to sample decadent creations: yellowfin tuna tataki with cucumber kimchi, duck croquettes in dill chanterelle sauce, monkfish filet with wild broccoli in smoked black truffle sauce, grilled rib eye with rocket salad, and roasted venison in cherry sauce. In desserts, do try their signature pistachio panna cotta and lipsmacking Gianduja chocolate with truffle ice cream.

Tasting menu – $105

Since opening its doors in 2017, QQ Asian Kitchen inside the Mosaic Hotel on the banks of the Vltava River quickly became the talk of the town in Prague. Its decor, clear and minimalistic, is a combination of colorful steel chairs, wooden counters, and a semi-open wok kitchen. The place was developed by two chefs, Nyoman Purnata and Lee Chang, who are both well-known figures on the Asian food scene in the Czech Republic.

Together, they present a menu of Balinese and Taiwanese cuisine coupled with a few elements of American, Thai, and Vietnamese flair. Start your meal with their small plate appetizers: barbeque pork belly bao, grilled calamari with celeriac, and soft shell crab taco. Move on to main course dishes, such as grilled sea bream wrapped in banana leaf with sambal, slow-cooked beef rendang, stir-fried Mapo tofu, and crispy General Tso’s sesame chicken. Another pleasant addition – the extensive drinks selection – features Balinese beer, local wines, and fruity cocktails like coconut margarita and lychee vodka sour.

4-course chef’s tasting menu – $62

Craving wood-fired top-quality meats? If yes, then head over to Monarch in the Národní třída district situated inside a restored Art Nouveau townhouse. The carnivore’s dream dining destination serves the best range of aged Czech and American USDA steaks. The ambiance is upscale and rustic in design, complete with colossal ceilings, gray brick-lined walls, a massive bar counter, and an open kitchen where guests can watch the masters work on a Josper Grill.

The culinary team offers a steakhouse menu – a fusion of traditional Czech cuisine with international flavors. Visitors can relish mouthwatering items, including shrimp bisque with edamame beans, beef carpaccio in caper emulsion, roasted bone marrow with onion chutney, grilled rib eye with onion rings in port wine jus, and seared filet mignon in peppercorn sauce with fried Padrón peppers. Wines from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Italy, hand-picked by Sommelier Viktor Valný will add a pleasant nuanced accent to your meal. For desserts, enjoy tasty dishes like semolina mousse with gingerbread ice cream and lemon sorbet.

Average bill – $71

The brainchild of Prague’s very own Gordan Ramsay, Chef Zdeněk Pohlreich's Yamato invites you to relish authentic Japanese cuisine in a homely environment. Normally, an establishment set up by a personality like Pohlreich would be overpowered by his star status, but not Yamato. Here, the spotlight is on the raw fish delicacies that tingle the taste buds. The kitchen is headed by Marek Hora, a cook who spent 19 years in Tokyo learning the art of sushi-making and other Asian dishes secrets.

Indulge yourself in gastronomic delights: scallop sashimi with a hint of soy sauce, charred tuna with marinated radish, grilled shrimp with miso soup, pickled mackerel with spring onion slivers, roasted chicken legs in teriyaki sauce, grilled beef bits with shishito peppers, and fried tofu in plum sauce. Elevate the culinary experience by picking an exquisite beverage from their impressive selection of Japanese whiskies, craft beers, sakes, and rich wines. The modest interiors are light and airy, adorned with cream accents, smooth lighting, clean lines, and pastel wood materials.

Lunch set menu – $34
Dinner tasting menu – $108

Perched high up at Elišky Peškové in Prague, Bockem, a rooftop establishment, offers stunning panoramic views of the city perfect for a relaxing afternoon or an unforgettable night under the stars. The wonderful fine-dining restaurant possesses a warm and welcoming interior – sturdy wooden furniture, roughly plastered walls with hanging autumnal crafts, and soft golden lighting. They also feature an outdoor seating area for patrons to enjoy the pleasant sunny disposition in summer.

The culinary crew under the watchful guidance of Chef Ondrej Kynčl has developed a menu prepared using both traditional and modern cooking methods. We suggest tasting specialty creations, including sautéed mushrooms in sage cream butter, meat dumplings with dill garlic sour cream, charred octopus leg in grape sauce, and steamed pork wrapped in cabbage. Satisfy your sweet cravings with numerous heavenly tender delights like semolina porridge with burnt meringue, blueberry tart with whipped cream, and burnt caramel with orange bitters.

Morning degustation menu – $29
Evening degustation menu – $82

Our Michelin-recommended restaurant list ends with a quaint and serene establishment called La Veranda. Started by local talent, Radek David, it is a remarkable place where premium quality regional produce is combined to create a contemporary Mediterranean offering. Chef David was a former member of a team of cooks who were representing Czech gastronomy at international competitions all over the world, before opening his flagship gem.

The menu is a kaleidoscope of European cuisines with a focus on Italian dishes. Expect to relish decadent specialties like beef carpaccio with pickled garlic, seared duck liver foie gras with poached pear, shrimp ravioli in tomato sauce, wild mushroom risotto in pepper sauce, and grilled beef striploin with potato confit in garlic butter. Don’t leave without trying delicious sweet treats, such as bread pudding with meringue, poppy seed cake with plums in red wine, and chocolate sticks with black currant ice cream.

Tasting menu – $74
Wine pairing – $51

If you need to plan a detailed vacation in Prague, check out our complete weekend guide, including top suggestions for breakfast, lunch, and dinner paired with fascinating landmarks near these exceptional restaurants and lovely cafés:

Your best food & travel guide – 2 days in Prague, Czech Republic