Imperial
The elegant, ballroom-like atmosphere set to a black-tie jazz theme. Live jazz Wed.-Sat. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are also served. Na Porici 15, Prague 1. Open daily 9-1 a.m. website
Cafe Louvre
A spacious, cheerful cafe where Franz Kafka, Max Brod and their circle used to talk about philosophy. Complete menu. Narodni 20, Prague 1. Open daily 8 a.m.-11 p.m. website
Kavarna Obecni Dum
The cafeteria is situated in the most beautiful Art Noveau building in Prague – Municipal House. Location: Namesti Republiky 5, Prague 1, website
Bohemia Bagel
Three branches in Prague selling excellent-value filled bagels, muffins, salads and coffee, including various cheap ‘meal deals’. This bakery is very popular amongst travellers. Open: 7.30am-6.30pm
Café Kaab
The friendly, downscale vibe, upscale coffee — a great place to waste an afternoon. Mánesova 20, Prague 2–Vinohrady. Open Mon.–Sat. 8 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m.-11p.m. website
Cafe Montmartre
A legend from the First Republic returns. Once a watering hole for legendary Prague figures, Montik is a jewel of cafes. Retezova 7, Prague 1-Old Town. Open daily 8 a.m.-11 p.m
Cafe Savoy
With a high, ornamental ceiling, unusual chandeliers and a tinkling fountain, the Savoy offers atmosphere and plenty of space for absorbing it. Full dinner menu as well. Vitezna 5, Prague 5. Open daily 9 a.m.-midnight. website
Culinaria
Known as the source for takeout, plus favourite American and British groceries. But there’s also a pretty good little coffee shop inside.Address: Skořepka 9, Prague 1 –Old Town , Tel.: 224 231 237, Open Mon.–Fri. 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. noon-7 p.m. website
Ebel Coffee House
So many places pour sad misrepresentations of coffee in Old Town that it’s shocking to find excellent stuff in the alleys off the square. A miracle: fashionable coffee house serving coffee of the highest quality in the heart of Old Town. Pure arabicas and custom coffee blends created just for Praguers. Breakfast, muffins, cakes, sandwiches and salads are also served. Location: Retezova 9 or Tynsky dvur Open: 8 am-8pmTyn 2, Prague 1-Old Town. Open daily 9 a.m.-10 p.m. website
French Institute Cafe
Frequented by Praguers and French people alike, including many students, for cheap coffee and croissants, French papers and magazines. Stepanska 35, Prague 1. Open Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Grand Hotel Evropa
Faded glory, to be sure, but still crammed to the balcony rails with turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau excesses. The most stylish old nook on Wenceslas Square, but sadly this coffee house is highly overpriced. Vaclavske nam. 25, Prague 1. Open daily 9:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Cover may be charged for live music.
Grand Café Orient
Whenever people mention Grand Café Orient, they quickly point out all the Cubist elements. But the café serves nice small plates and a decent enough cup of coffee, too. Ovocný trh 19, Prague 1–Old Town, Open Mon.–Fri. 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat.–Sun. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. website
Hotel Pariz – Cafe de Paris
Thanks to Bohumil Hrabal’s I Served the King of England, the ritzy downtown cafe address occasional jazz combos, highballs, and colourful history. U Obecniho domu 1, Prague 1. Open daily 10 a.m.-midnight. website
John & George
Part kavárna, part restaurant, part take-away stop, this unique spot next to the Lennon Wall (John & George, get it?) relies on a small menu of relatively simple items. Free Wifi. Velkopřevorské nám. 4, Prague 1–Malá Strana, Tel.: 257 217 736, Open daily 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Kava, Kava, Kava
Maybe not the best coffee in town, but the two caffeine outposts topmost of them. This quiet courtyard oasis is also port-of-call to shipments of coffee beans and loose teas from everywhere they grow them, whopping carrot cake wedges and peanut butter cookies. Narodni 37 (in the courtyard), Prague 1. . Open Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. and Sun. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. website
Kavarna Slavia
Legendary. The views across the river unbeatable at Prague’s most celebrated literary and theatrical cafe. Narodni trida at Smetanovo nabrezi, across from the National Theater, Prague 1. Open Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-midnight, Sat. and Sun. 9 a.m.-midnight. website
St. Nicholas Cafe
The customers are cool, the mood hip and cynical, and the prices lower than you might think. Location: Trziste 10, Prague 1 (near the U.S. Embassy). Open Mon.-Fri. noon-1 a.m., Sat. and Sun. 4 p.m.-1 a.m.
Resto Cafe Patio
A sumptuous setting and an abundance of coffees, small plates and very serious sweets. Narodni 22, Prague 1. . Open Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. website
U sv. Vojtecha
A neighbourhood gathering place, light, airy and comfortable, with newspapers-on-a-stick and pleasant service. Vojtesska 14, Prague 1 (behind the National Theater). Open Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. website
U Zeleneho caje
The “Green Tea” proffers teas and light meals on busy Nerudova street just below the castle. Nerudova 19, Prague 1. Open daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m. AmEx, Euro/MC, Visa. website
Free Wifi: There is free wifi access in many cafés in the centre of town, though they do expect you to buy at least something to eat and drink while you’re surfing the net.
