Where to eat in Prague this month: December's tastiest openings

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.

A bright splash of red has made its mark on Letná’s Milady Horákové street, with signature hand-crafted noodles now being served up from Chop Chop Chili’s second location. A staple for Chinese food in Dejvice, the new spot is sure to impress with an even bigger menu including the restaurant’s classics, including biang biang beef, fresh wonton, oden hotpot, and more. Pair your noodles with a cup of Chinese cold tea or peanut milk to round it off.

Fine dining connoisseurs should dash to the Masarykovo nádraží building for a flavorful fusion of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine at Noel. Perfect for romantic dinners or business meetings, breathtaking views of Prague accompany your plate of spicy yellowfin tuna or angus ribs. Noel is a cafe by day, perfect for dropping by for a well-made morning coffee, and has a bar for evening soirees and rendezvous.

More fine dining awaits at Symbols in Old Town, which doubles as a street food spot by day. The restaurant operates on the basis of three basic elements that every menu item embodies: seasonality, locality, and quality. With a focus on the senses, the interior is earthy and warm to match the invigoration of the street food-inspired flavors, with highlights like sea monkfish and beef flank. This philosophy doesn’t end with the drinks, with concoctions such as apple and cucumber juice and Peruvian maca and chaga (an adaptogenic mushroom), elevating the cocktail concept.

Dig into a new breakfast spot with dishes that pass as works of art at Kafé Brána in Anděl. Their high-quality Victoria Arduino Eagle Tempo machine ensures you’ll sip on only the best coffee, while hot chocolate lovers can indulge in a cuppa with generous heapings of whipped cream, perfect in the lead up to Christmas.

Next time you’re wandering by the Charles Bridge and playing tourist, stop for a glass of wine at an elegant new location which defies the otherwise touristy options swarming the area. Bistro Judita occupies a Renaissance town house with a Gothic cellar and fragments of the Judith Bridge which connected the banks of the Vltava River. Douse yourself in elements of history as you tuck into a delicious English breakfast, a strong espresso, and first-class wine from Italian, Austrian, German and Moravian winemakers.

Combine dining with pleasure at the newly opened hot spot for cabaret shows in Prague. Medusa, nestled in the heart of Old Town, will welcome you with a glamorous, sensually-lit lounge area, where high caliber performers will entrance you on stage. Pair your cabaret experience with refined appetizers and mains, such as Croquetas de Iberico or an extravagant rossini beef steak with foie gras, while sipping on seductive cocktails such as Ecstasy and Lusty Paradise. The bar and restaurant is open every day from 11:30 a.m., while cabaret shows run every Friday and Saturday.

Shop ‘til you drop, then revive yourself with a finely brewed beverage and a pastry at Ademi Shop and Café. This trendy concept store by Dejvice station combines modern Czech design with select coffee, bringing collections from the Ademi studio brand by Adély Mitrengová, whose products have been displayed at Designblok and Prague Fashion Week, to an atmosphere optimal for snapping your next aesthetic Instagram photo. Coffee is sourced from the Czech roaster Šťáva and the espresso bar is a project by Gabriela and Stanislav Hampl, who run the Čekárna café and the Dejvického divadlo café together.