11 unforgettable sweet spots in Prague: A Czech pastry chef’s insider guide

Prague’s thriving pastry scene is driven by a deep dedication to homemade excellence based on quality ingredients and traditional recipes with modern-day twists. From revered mainstays to a smattering of new entrants, you’ll find no shortage of spots to indulge your sweet or savory cravings.     

We asked Klára Řezníčková, the long-time pastry chef at Červený Jelen, for her top recommendations on where to grab your next dessert. 

Despite its prominent spot along the city’s prime tourist circuit, Jelen has built up a loyal local following thanks to its commitment to serving great Czech cuisine and beer in a laid-back, community-focused atmosphere. In addition to traditional meat-based dishes, the menu features a string of fancy desserts and pastries carefully crafted by Řezníčková. The fan favorite here is the traditional Bohemian větrníky, which the kitchen makes from scratch, including the caramel topping. The dark beer cake is also a huge hit with diners, as are classics like medovník, punčák, kremrole, and věneček.

Cukrárna Myšák is a legendary establishment with a rich history. Lukáš Pohl and his team create traditional pastries with respect for the craft, using high-quality ingredients. Along with excellent coffee, you can enjoy a variety of treats, including věnečky, laskonky, Harlekýn cakes, and apple strudel with whipped and vanilla cream. The větrníkový and věnečkový cakes, which can be made up to 24 cm in size, are equally popular. The kitchen also serves excellent breakfasts.

Master pastry chef Lukáš Skála has a display case full of traditional desserts with a modern twist at his Prague confectionery. His passion for creating sweat delights stems from childhood and watching his father’s deep dedication to the craft. By all accounts, Skála’s laskonka and špička are among the best in the city. You can clearly see the creativity that went into delivering these delectable treats, which adhere to traditional tastes and recipes.   

This trendy Vinohrady restaurant, under the leadership of Jiří Hrachový, offers creative variations of various desserts and flavors. You can never go wrong by finishing your lunch with a sweet treat from the weekly menu. However, what shouldn’t be missed is the crispy caramel větrník, which the kitchen bakes fresh just before serving. This little slice of heaven, filled with vanilla and caramel cream and sprinkled with hazelnuts, is truly a divine experience.

The best koláč in the world has been found! There are plenty of sweet and savory options at Kus Koláče, which has become something of a Vinohrady institution since opening midway through the Covid pandemic. Demand was so strong that the owners soon opened a second location nearby to help with the overflow. Další kus, which is focused mainly on savory pastries, provides a nice alternative when the koláče sell out next door.     

This cozy neighborhood bistro in Dejvice is the perfect place to grab a coffee, a slice of homemade cake, a filling breakfast, or even a light lunch with a glass of wine. However, the pièce de résistance is the kitchen’s traditional buchtičky se šodó, a sweet pastry served with custard. It would be a sin to leave without ordering a plate. Šodó, a collaboration between the teams behind Taste of Prague and PG Foodies, pulls inspiration from local flavors and the travel experiences of the chefs, who have known each other since they were kids. The menu also includes fruit dumplings, koláče, semolina porridge, and kremrole, a cream-filled pastry.

Eska, a restaurant and bakery in the heart of Karlín, is known for its innovative cuisine inspired by traditional recipes. In addition to excellent baked goods and sourdough bread, you can also enjoy unique desserts here. Some of the most popular dishes include yeast dumplings, unconventional koláče, and fermented sweets, all of which reflect the restaurant’s philosophy – combining honest craftsmanship with a modern approach. Each dessert is carefully made with high-quality ingredients, making a visit to Eska not just a culinary experience but a return to authentic flavors.

Hidden in this small restaurant situated along the riverbank in New Town is an excellent bakery. The owners, pastry chefs Petr and Jan Kalenda, are experts who approach baking bread, koláče, cakes, and other sweets with passion. In their offering, you will find honest traditional desserts and creative innovations that showcase their mastery in pastry and baking. Every piece is baked with love and respect for the craft, making U Kalendů a beloved place for anyone seeking culinary perfection.

Praktika, led by Tomáš Solák, is the only bakery in Prague that grinds its own organic flour on a stone from a small local grower, preserving the natural nutrients and giving its baked goods a unique taste and texture. The bread is the talk of Karlín, but if you are looking for something sweet, don’t pass on the opportunity to try the doughnuts here. They are, simply put, perfect. The spot also roasts its own coffee, which nicely compliments its pastries. 

At Pauseteria, just steps from Old Town Square, you'll find a wide range of homemade desserts made from fresh, high-quality ingredients. Among their most popular offerings are modern versions of classic desserts, such as delicate koláče, various types of pastries, cakes, and macarons. The desserts are characterized by subtle flavors, meticulous preparation, and an artistic appearance, making them perfect for any occasion.

There is a small slice of France in the heart of Prague. Votre plaisir, a mainstay in the city’s New Town for more than a decade, serves a wide range of handcrafted desserts, sweet sourdough pastries, custom cakes, and savory breakfasts made with French precision and quality ingredients that really make the flavors stand out. It’s not hard to indulge your sweet tooth here, whether with a box of the kitchen’s popular macaroons, meringues, tartes, or savory quiches.