MAPPED: The definitive guide to Prague’s schnitzel spots

Schnitzel may not have originated in Czechia, but it’s become such a fixture on the local dining scene that it feels completely at home. Czechs fine-tuned the classic Austrian version into their beloved řízek, using meats that are pounded thin, breaded, and fried to a perfect crunch.

Across Prague, you’ll now find all kinds of riffs: veal prepared the traditional Viennese way, beef paired with velvety mash, pork neck brightened with sour sides, and even minced-meat or vegetable variations that show how far the dish has traveled.

We asked the experts at Ambiente where we can grab some of the best schnitzel in town.

This Old Town institution is one of the most reliable places in the center to feast on a truly classic Czech schnitzel. The kitchen’s pork version is the reason people come back again and again: a thin, tender cutlet with a perfectly crunchy breadcrumb crust, served with a smooth, tangy potato salad. It’s available throughout the year, but not every single day, so catching it on the menu feels like a small win. With eight locations across the city, the original Dlouhá branch offers visitors that definitive Czech pub feel: a cozy, lively setting that blends comfort food with fabulous tank beer.    

Set on a busy corner of the Zlatý Anděl shopping center, Šnycl is chef Jan Punčochář’s new Austrian-inspired restaurant, and with a name that literally means “schnitzel,” you already know what most guests are here to try. The Viennese-style schnitzel is oversized, thin, and perfectly crisp. The menu goes further, though, with Austrian-inspired dishes like cheese špecle, pajšl, and Tyrolean head cheese. There is even a celery schnitzel, if you are looking for a veggie option.  

At Café Savoy, the Wiener Schnitzel commands attention. Made from tender veal leg, it’s perfectly breaded and fried golden, with a delicate crunch that gives way to juicy, flavorful meat. It’s simple, flawless, and exactly what you want when you’re craving a warm traditional dish. While the cafe’s high ceilings and elegant old-world vibe never fail to impress, the food is the real centerpiece here, and the schnitzel is the kitchen’s pièce de résistance. Pair it with a side salad or a light potato dish, and you’ve got a seriously satisfying meal.

Right in the middle of Old Town, Havelská Koruna is one of those retro, cafeteria-style spots that locals swear by when they want something hearty without any fuss. It’s the kind of place where you grab a tray, point to what looks good, and somehow everything tastes exactly like the Czech home cooking you hoped for. The řízek is a must: thin, crispy, and served with simple sides that make the whole meal feel comforting and familiar.

Set on a quiet Karlín side street, Řízek od Babičky is a tiny schnitzel kitchen that has become an underrated local favorite for the working crowd. The menu is deliciously straightforward: nothing but schnitzels and the comforting sides that belong with them. Choose from pork, chicken, turkey, or veal, each fried to a golden crisp, and paired with a lineup of potato classics: salad, fries, roasted, or mashed. The only diversion from the schnitzel canon is a nostalgic slab of fried cheese. Stop in for a single schnitzel at lunch or order a generous family-style batch to take home.

Crispy, juicy, and paired with creamy potato salad, tart cranberries, and tangy pickled cucumbers, Kuchyň’s pork neck schnitzel takes this simple, traditional dish to a new level. Each bite tastes like someone’s cooking you a meal with a recipe straight from their family’s secret vault. The whole experience is warm and unfussy. Tucked right next to Prague Castle, the open dining room, with its wooden tables and soft lighting, adds to the relaxed and cozy atmosphere.

If you're taking a stroll through Stromovka Park and get a sudden craving for schnitzel, you have two great “along-the-way” options: Na Urale and Na Slamníku. They're part of the same restaurant group and are favorites with local park-goers. At Na Urale, you’ll find a řízek on the daily menu. It's the kind of place where you can grab a flavorful, satisfying cutlet after a few laps through the greenery. Meanwhile, Na Slamníku offers that same easygoing charm and is a lovely next stop if you want to linger and soak up the park atmosphere before heading off.

If you are curious about holanďák, a close cousin of řízek, you’ll find some of the best offers at Kantýna, Lokál, and occasionally at Bufet in Karlín. Holanďák swaps the classic cutlet for minced meat mixed with a cheddar-style cheese, then coats it in breadcrumbs and fries it until crisp. It’s rich, comforting, and the kind of dish that wins you over fast. Grabbing dinner at Bufet and then heading to nearby Dva kohouti for a couple of beers is an ideal mid-to-late-week plan.  

If you’re after schnitzel with a bit of a twist, keep Čestr on your radar. This restaurant is all about great Czech beef, and every so often the kitchen puts a beef schnitzel on the menu that’s honestly close to perfection: crispy on the outside, super tender inside, and paired with the creamiest potato mash you’ll probably ever taste. The dining room has a breezy, modern feel, great for a casual dinner that’s a little special. If you see the schnitzel listed, don’t think twice, just order it.

Craving a Czech řízek or curious about the newer twists, Prague has a version for every appetite. These places show how the city keeps one of Central Europe’s simplest dishes satisfying, familiar, and worth seeking out.