With fewer vacationers and a frosted skyline of Baroque domes and hovering Gothic spires, Prague in winter may be the stuff of snow-filled fairytales.

However even probably the most resilient vacationers will want a couple of breaks to chill out and defrost frozen fingers and toes, ideally with a tasty drink or heated meal to take pleasure in. With the common temperature between December to February hovering around 0°C (32°F), winter guests to Prague are nicely suggested to pack their thermals. The required jumble of layers is nicely priced, although: Prague’s Christmas markets rank as a few of the most stunning in Europe. Then, January and February convey an uncharacteristic hush – it’s possible you’ll even get the usually thronging Charles Bridge to yourself.

Right here’s our decision of the perfect cafes and bars in Prague, the place you’ll be able to snuggle up with a sizzling drink and take shelter from the weather.

1. Café Savoy

Finest for breakfast 

With its artwork nouveau interiors and chandelier-studded ceiling, Café Savoy is a Prague establishment. Right here you’ll discover white-aproned workers serving up piping sizzling eggs and decadent French toast to well-dressed locals, alongside vacationers who’ve been astute sufficient to make a reservation. It isn’t the scale that brings the coziness. Somewhat, by sitting at a desk for 2, you’ll be able to’t assist however really feel cocooned by old-world appeal. Sipping a wealthy Savoy sizzling chocolate on the small inside balcony will set you up for a day clip-clopping over cobblestones in winter boots.

2. Oliver’s Espresso Cup

Gaze down upon the hustle and bustle of Prague’s predominant Wenceslas Square by the large home windows of this comfortable cafe. Hidden an in any other case unassuming procuring heart, Oliver’s Coffee Cup appears like a pal’s lounge, with stylish mid-century decor and loads of books to browse. Order from the in-depth espresso menu, choose a slice of self-made cake, and calm down in one of many ample armchairs.

3. Globe Bookstore & Café

Finest bookstore cafe

A preferred haunt for the town’s ex-pats, the Globe Bookstore & Café has picket cabinets chocked full of the latest and second-hand English-language novels, journey guides, and newspapers. The adjoining cafe, with its ruby-red partitions, has loads of nooks the place you’ll be able to pore over your buy with a flat white or warming mulled wine. Reserve a desk for weekend brunch in case you like a bookshop with a pleasant buzz.

4. Jídelna Kuchařek bez domova

This bistro will heat your coronary heart in addition to your abdomen: Jídelna Kuchařek bez domova is a venture that employs homeless ladies to prepare dinner tasty vegan meals. The area is tiny and well-liked, so even arriving at midday doesn’t assure a seat for lunch, however in case you’re keen to attend, you’re in for a deal. The dishes are cheap – a lunch and a drink price 129Kč – and by tucking right into a meal or slice of self-made cake, you’re contributing to a worthwhile social enterprise.

The steamed up windows of Choco Café in Prague
Look out for these heat, steamy home windows like these at Choco Café © Veronika Hradilikova / Lonely Planet

5. Choco Café

Finest for warm chocolate

Steamy home windows are often an indication of one thing heat inside and that’s actually the case right here. On a quiet road simply off the Old Town Square, Choco Café has grown to be a gathering spot for native chocolate addicts and vacationers alike. Go for the wealthy, thick sizzling chocolate, fastidiously crafted within the connoisseur chocolate. The Hořické trubičky – a lightweight, rolled wafer crammed with cream – makes the proper dipping accompaniment.

6. Lokál U Bílé Kuželky

Good Czech beer is ubiquitous in Prague; the trick in winter is looking down a comfy bar the place you’ll be able to savor it. If in case you have a thirst whereas, in Malá Strana (Little Quarter), Lokál U Bílé Kuželky serves up recent Pilsner Urquell alongside hearty Czech classics resembling beef goulash and bread dumplings. The central location means the upstairs pub is usually a squeeze; observe the locals’ instance and head to the atmospheric stonewall cellar.

7. Parlour

Finest cocktail bar

A discreet door on a really common road in Prague’s New City results in this tiny but distinctive cocktail bar. Don’t arrive at Parlour with preconceived concepts of what to order. As a substitute for a menu, skillful bartenders combine drinks based mostly on their clientele’s preferences and temper. The actual fact it solely accepts reservations for teams of as many as 4 retains the ambiance as intimate and comfortable.

8. Black Angel’s Bar

Finest underground cocktail bar

Previous City Sq.’s energetic clamor melts away as you make your approach right down to this award-winning cocktail bar within the vaulted cellar of Hotel U Prince. With a dwell jazz soundtrack, moody low lighting, and traditional cocktails served in classic glasses, Black Angel’s Bar has the texture of a classy Thirties speakeasy (greatest take off your woolly hat on the door).

9. Lucerna Palace

Vacationers who duck into Lucerna Palace, in Prague’s New City, often accomplish that with the plan of getting sizzling and sweaty whereas dancing in the subterranean Lucerna Music Bar. Nonetheless, there are different good causes to hunt out this glamorous Twenties arcade. Kino Lucerna, the oldest everlasting cinema in Bohemia, is an attractive shelter to attend out a storm and has frequent English-language screenings. Arrive early for espresso and cake in Kavárna Lucerna. By means of the arch-windows of this dimly-lit artwork nouveau cafe, you’ll be able to benefit from the sight of buyers scurrying beneath David Černý’s shocking suspended sculpture.

10. Manifesto Market Anděl

Choosing a road meals market amid a European winter might sound foolhardy, however, Manifesto Market Anděl is aware of the way to wrap up the heat. Come the frosty months, a brief roof, windbreakers and environment-friendly infrared heaters make this cashless market a sanctuary for having fun with steamy bowls of ramen or spicy nachos. The recently spiced sangria from the onsite bar will aid you to heat up from within out.

11. Mánesova Bar and Books

A part of the stylish New York chain of cigar bars, which originated over 25 years in the past, the Mánesova offshoot of Bar and Books supplies an off-the-cuff atmosphere the place you’ll be able to lounge in pink leather-based banquettes were sipping on a scrumptious cocktail or whiskey. High-quality cigars are additionally on provided, and dwell music and burlesque reveal seem on this system repeatedly.

12. Prosekárna

Prosecco aficionados rave about Prosekárna. The principle room within the Letná department has the air of a chic mountain cabin, with its heat hearth and beneficent, upholstered chairs. The house owners are sometimes available to speak with the company about their favorite subject: prosecco. In case you’re new to the world of glowing Italian wine, relaxation assured the workers will introduce you to quite a lot of choices. It’s smart to ebook forward.

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