Prague's new wave of pizza-pasta joints satisfies Italian cravings

Receiving plenty of hype well before its opening, Sugo is the new, authentic Italian pasta venture that Prague has been waiting for. From the moment you step through the doors in Karlín, the principle of minimalism and ‘less is more’ is evident in the open kitchen plan dotted with simple but colorful furniture.

Chef Andrea Sirtori is from Italy and ensures all ingredients are sourced fresh and local, with flour from Pekárna Praktika, bread from ZE MĚ projekt, vegetables from the Holešovice and Jiřího z Poděbrad markets, and meat from nearby farms. If the quality falters, he imports ingredients directly from Italy.

Dishes are elegant and uncomplicated, with a standout spaghetti carbonara made with egg yolks, guanciale, and pecorino, and an immediately coveted tiramisu for dessert. Sugo sold out almost the entire menu on the first day and had to limit seat reservations—so make sure you book well in advance.

More pasta is pouring out of Prague with the opening of Matilda earlier this month on Korunovační. This breakfast, lunch, and dinner spot is combining scrumptious Italian dishes with a dining atmosphere that fits, with a garden replete with olive trees ready for the summer months and a cozy interior to escape the cold. Enjoy a cup of espresso with some traditional maritozzi and dig into some ravioli for a hearty meal at this carefully curated slice of Italy in Letná.

Another notable opening this year, Riccardo Lucque's authentic Italian restaurant on Hybernská street, right in the center of New Town. Farina presents a menu of classics such as quattro formaggi, capricciosa, buffalo and pizza bianca, along with some less traditional offerings such as mortadella and pistachios and black truffle and parmesan. An extensive pasta list including beet gnocchi and black risotto with calamari will delight adventurous foodies.

The self-proclaimed ‘first gourmet pizzeria in Prague’, which has a branch in Vinohrady, is now offering its subversive toppings such as fig, mashed peas, and more in a new location. Amunì pizzeria sits right next to Charles Bridge, making it a convenient pitstop for when visitors are in town. The restaurant offers a range of droolworthy gelato, from pistachio to ‘forest fruits’—which might even be their best offering.

Green-felted barstools, exposed pipes, tiny lemon trees, and black-and-white vintage photographs decorate the interior of Neapolis, a newcomer in the evolving line-up of buzzy Vinohrady Neapolitan pizza joints. Rustic offerings of margherita, marinara, and diavola pizza are served up with a pair of scissors to cut, and fresh, simplistic pasta dishes such as carbonara and truffle risotto are causing a positive stir.

Initially occupying a spot in Manifesto Market, Fasù has now found a more permanent home in a traditional brick-and-mortar setting on Nusle's Ostrčil Square. Originating from the culinary heartland of Apulia, Fasù brings more to the table than just classic pizza. One standout dish here is the pizzella—a small, slightly fried-looking delight, but without the grease. This dish is crafted from a traditional dough recipe, yielding a distinctly unique texture and taste that captures the essence of Apulian cuisine.

Another mainstay of the Prague dining circuit, L’Osteria, has found a new home in the Kinský Palace on Old Town Square. The Italian bistro’s reliable pizzas, rich pasta dishes, and fresh antipasti are truly elevated in the flashy new location, tucked in the 18th century building in the heart of Prague.