Meet the friendly faces and fresh places of Hall 22 at Prague's Holešovice Market

The secret’s out: Hall 22 on the sprawling Prague Market grounds in Holešovice – long considered to have the widest and freshest selection of fruits, veggies, and other farm-fresh delicacies in the city – has officially kicked off its sizzling summer season. 

As has the popular Food Truck Point right next to the historic Art Nouveau warehouse, where you can grab lunch, a late afternoon snack, or an evening drink. The once shady market grounds went through a complete overhaul a few years ago, with city officials hoping to transform the historically protected Pražská tržnice into a thriving cultural hub. 

So far, so good. The tenant mix has been spiced up, and there is a monthly events calendar that is introducing the area – once home to Prague’s largest slaughterhouse – to a whole new generation of visitors.

But for the last two decades, the one constant has been the legendary Hall 22. Today, some 80 vendors hawk bin-loads of seasonal fruits and vegetables – the potato and onion selections are consistently among the biggest year-round draws. Also on offer: honey, mushrooms, cheeses, eggs, herbs, organic poultry, flowers as well as numerous other savory and sweet delights.

Many of Prague’s top restaurant brass are known to shop for their weekly menu ingredients here. Its popularity seems to be seeping beyond the Czech borders. Hall 22 was recently visited by a Spanish television crew that was spotlighting similar-sized farmers’ markets around the world. 

Have your pick of this season’s juiciest strawberries, apricots, cherries, peaches, and melons as well as barrels of freshly cut vegetables from a host of nearby farms. Stock up on enough fine delectables for that picnic in Stromovka, relaxing in the shade of one of Petřín’s many lush tree canopies, or for a garden party with your neighbors. 

Looking for something specific? Ilona Riegelová is one of Hall 22’s most sought-after herbalists. For quality meat, swing by David Morávek’s bio stand. Ivan Takácz, meanwhile, offers gluten-free sausages. Petr Sláma sells quality baking ingredients at his bio shop Zrno. On the sweet front, Jiří Buchal’s watermelons are divine. Angel cookies, Krkal's goodies from the bakery, and dairy products from Sv. Anna’s are also worth splurging on. 

There are always dozens of farmers and small vendors here during the weekdays, as well as lots of diverse foods and inspiration for your kitchen. But the weekend offer is much wider, with as many as 3,000 people visiting the hall on Saturdays. In the pop-up stands, you can buy vegan bread, seeds, organic chicken and eggs, and other seasonal offers. Many of the farmers will also be happy to advise you on how to grow your own herbs or potatoes on the balcony.

The entire offer is complemented by foreign delicacies, including Uzbek, Slovak, and Bulgarian specialties, as well as fresh fish. In the off-season, when the Czech farmlands freeze over, sellers of exotic fruits and vegetables from warmer regions complete the offer of domestic provenance.

Can’t wait to snack on some of the items in your shopping basket? Settle down at one of the outdoor tables at the Food Truck Point right outside Hall 22 to sample your purchases – paired perhaps with a cooling glass of Aperol or an iced coffee.

If you are craving a full lunch, you have a lot of choices. La Paletta offers a delicious range of savory and sweet pancakes. The trendy Prague chain Banh-mi-ba serves Asian street food. Its baguettes have also become pretty famous.

PRÍVYES will satisfy you with high-quality minced beef or a quesadilla, while the Truck bar will warm you up or cool you down with a wide range of drinks and delicious beer. Pavlo's food truck also has great burgers in its repertoire. 

Truly, you’ll find everything you need at this farm-fresh paradise to sate your appetite for an afternoon of swimming, picnicking, and other types of fun in the sun!