Café review: Millème

Millème Boulangerie Patisserie and Café is one of my favourite cafés in Prague. Positioned at the western end of Jiřího z Poděbrad náměstí, this French-run café is the perfect location for a refreshing drink on a summer afternoon, an autumn brunch, or a winter chocolat chaud. Living as close by as I do is somewhat dangerous: I am forever popping in for morning croissants, afternoon espresso, or an evening snack. When visitors come to stay, a box of pastries to take away always seems sensible, and at the weekend I often enjoy brunch here – the eggs with salmon are delicious.

Although prices may appear steep compared to elsewhere in Prague, the quality stacks up. Over the past year I have cheerfully worked my way through much of the menu: buttery, perfectly flaky croissants (25 CZK), and fuller Parisienne breakfasts (from 90 CZK) always set my day off to a great start. Fresh baguettes are picked up on my way home from Jiřího z Poděbrad farmers’ market and arrive warm on my breakfast table, whilst a croque monsieur (129 CZK) is the perfect treat for a more glutinous day. A summer’s weekend can easily be spent on the covered terrace at Millème hiding from the heat, snacking on fresh Nicoise salad (179 CZK) that comes complete with a happy mix of fresh salad leaves that few other cafes in Prague seem able to muster. A plate of merguez sausages is a fiery warmer later in the year.

Millème’s patisserie offers rare but enjoyable treats. The treats displayed in the glass counter can be enjoyed in the café or are carefully packaged by staff for take-away treats. Green-tea tiramisu, chocolate mousse, macaroons, and fruit tartlets are generally stunningly prepared and very fresh. I’ve even been offered cut price goods towards the end of the day as Millème tries to reduce stock that won’t last. Other reviews have noted a lack of freshness in the bread and patisserie, but I’ve certainly never encountered that here.

Despite my regular visits, I rarely sit inside at Millème. Although very clean and full of light, the café’s simple furnishings and bare walls are a little sparse for my taste. This is small complaint though, as the outside terrace (available from last spring until the autumn, depending on the weather) is my Prague ‘happy place’ – Millème is just one of the numerous local independent businesses that make Jiřího z Poděbrad such a lively, vibrant place, and there is nowhere better to sit and enjoy one of Prague’s more thriving neighbourhoods.