The Backyard Kotva: New food market opens behind Prague department store

Just in time for the re-opening of outdoor areas of restaurants in the Czech Republic, a new destination inspired by Manifesto Market has opened behind the Kotva Department Store in central Prague.

The Backyard Kotva boasts about a dozen container-like food stalls which are only partially filled at the moment, though it should quickly fill up as the weather turns and restaurants are given the green light to operate dining areas.

Coffee Cube, which has retained its position behind Kotva despite numerous changes to the area over the past half-decade, remains at the front of the new market and continues to serve one of the best flat whites in Prague.

A new Bohemia Bagel stand has also been launched at The Backyard, serving up bagel sandwiches as well as take-away bagels by the dozen (or less) and Philadelphia cream cheeses. With the closure of sister branches over the years, it instantly becomes one of the prime destinations in the center to get your bagel fill (if you haven't placed an order from Ezra's).

PokeHaus, which kicked off the poke craze in Prague a few years back, has relocated from Manifesto Market and is now serving up poke bowls next to Bohemia Bagel. It's also added some fusion variety to its menu in the form of sushi burritos.

Two other restaurants have officially launched stands at The Backyard as of writing: Nostimo, serving up Greek street food in the form of gyros and other delicacies, and Nebu, a fusion Indian bistro around the corner from the main Backyard strip.

According to The Backyard's Facebook page, Le Pizze di Frankie is also headed to the location soon. Started by an Italian expat out of his own kitchen and often cited as Prague's most authentic Neapolitan-style pizza, the Backyard location will join Frankie's relatively new pizza stand in Nusle.

Prague burger joint Meetburger has also confirmed that it will be launching a stand at The Backyard Kotva.

Other restaurants, including a dedicated beer stall, should be launching at The Backyard as soon as this week, weather-permitting.

Around the Kotva corner from the official Backyard venues, Mexican restaurant La Patrona continues to operate its own non-affiliated food stand, and remains one of the top spots in the city center for a burrito or margarita.

The popularity of market-style food and drink destinations has been surging in Prague over the past few years following the launch of Manifesto market locations in Prague's New Town and Smíchov neighborhoods.

Their popularity should continue to surge as we head into summer as restaurants have only been given the OK to open outdoor dining locations. A date for fully reopening indoor areas remains TBA.

The Backyard Kotva is the latest foodie market to launch in the Czech capital, but it won't be the last: inspired by the wildly-successful location Lisbon, Time Out Market Prague was also scheduled to launch in 2021, though the ongoing pandemic may have delayed those plans.