Café review: Pražírna

A quick glance around I.P. Pavlova confirms what you already knew: the international coffee chains are percolating their way across Prague. However, there’s good news for devotees to the bean in the neighborhood. A few steps from the metro only a baguette’s length from French patisserie giant Paul, a new Mecca for java lovers has opened its doors.

Despite its stripped-down interior – the walls are unadorned brick apart from the odd arty black and white photo – Pražírna somehow manages to be cosy rather than austere. There are pleasing decorative touches such as granny-chic sugar bowls and the obligatory bookshelves to browse through required in any aspiring hip cafe. There’s plenty of seating available of both the squishy and hard-backed kind so you can laze away the afternoon in a comfy chair or hook up to the wifi and do some serious freelancing depending on your mood. The service is friendly and attentive but this remains a place you feel able to linger without ordering every five minutes.

The coffee itself is of course excellent quality, proffered on a small metal tray and served with a decent-sized tumbler of tap water. Don’t expect Starbucks-style mega portions though: here at Pražírna, less is more.

My grumbles are minor: the carrot cake I tried as part of the breakfast menu (coffee plus your choice of cake for 70 CZK) was edible but seemed dry and overly sweet. I was also hoping that the place would be infused with that delicious rich smell of freshly ground beans but I didn’t pick up on any such pleasing aroma. Perhaps I should clean out my nostrils before my next visit.

All in all, Pražírna has all the right ingredients for a successful 21st century coffee house. I personally guarantee you’ll leave feeling full of beans.

Related articles