Cafe culture runs deep in Czechia, where mornings start with strong espresso and afternoons stretch into lingering visits over homemade cakes and cappuccinos. Prague and Brno are leading the pack, home to large international communities with percolating café scenes that effortlessly blend tradition with trend. These cities have everything from grand historic coffeehouses to modern specialty spots serving carefully crafted brews and fresh pastries.
Here’s a round-up of cafés worth splurging on.
Coffee Trail Garden
Coffee Trail Bar brings well-made coffee and a friendly vibe to the Brno center. Beans come from a mix of Czech and international roasters, while local artisan bakeries Mamastella and Breadguy supply the pastries. Cakes and other sweets are made in-house. The all-female team keeps the mood easygoing, drawing regulars who come for the coffee as much as the atmosphere. The brand now has several locations across the city.

Místo
Místo Café is a Dejvice institution known for its specialty coffee, brewed by skilled baristas from the DoubleShot network. The menu offers espresso, filter brews, homemade desserts, and a dependable brunch lineup. The bright, minimalist space has a steady flow of regulars, giving it a neighborhood feel without losing its calm. It’s the kind of place people return to for both the quality and the easygoing atmosphere.

Alma
Alma is the perfect spot for a morning boost. The cafe serves specialty coffee sourced from small European roasters alongside fresh sandwiches, pastries, and other delicious breakfast items. The almond croissant is divine, while the sourdough bread comes directly from Alma’s Vršovice bakery and should not be missed. Beverages include teas, homemade lemonades, matcha, kombucha, spiced chai lattes, and natural wines. The relaxed space seamlessly transforms from a daytime cafe to a vibrant evening venue.

Pastacaffé
Just around the corner from Pařížská Street, Pastacaffé is a beloved Italian café and restaurant in the heart of Prague. One of the oldest members of the Ambiente family, it welcomes guests from early morning to evening with warm hospitality and all-day Italian fare. Come for breakfast and stay for an excellent Italian espresso or a light-roast filter coffee brewed from Nordbeans. Tiramisu and other homemade desserts round out the experience. The morning menu features dishes such as multigrain toast with avocado and creamy cheese, a burrata omelette with tomatoes, and Eggs Benedict with pastrami.

U Kalendů
Situated along Prague’s scenic Rašínovo nábřeží, U Kalendů is a bakery and restaurant that honors Czech culinary traditions in a modern setting. The in-house bakery crafts a variety of fresh sweet-and-savory pastries daily, including buttery croissants, pain au chocolat, and seasonal Danish delights with fruit fillings. Guests can enjoy these baked goods on-site or take them to go, complemented by specialty coffee.

SKØG Urban Hub
SKØG has quickly become a key player on the Brno coffee scene, known for a menu that goes beyond your usual cup of joe. As the city’s largest cafe, it brews espresso and filter drinks using beans from its own roastery, Rusty Nails, which supplies coffeehouses across Czechia. In addition to the standard espresso-based drinks, you can enjoy filter coffee and seasonal drinks like their own cold brew and homemade Cascara Fizz.

Eska Letná
Located at the corner of Malířská and Veletržní streets, Eska Letná is the younger sister of the renowned Karlín bakery, bringing its signature wood-fired sourdough bread (Chleba 33) to Prague’s Letná district. This cozy spot offers a selection of sweet pastries, including koláče, buchty, loupáky, and pastel de nata, alongside simple breakfasts and snacks centered around their artisanal bread. Complement your meal with specialty coffee from Liberec’s Nordbeans roastery. Beyond baked goods, Eska Letná features a curated shop stocked with farm-fresh products and pantry staples.

Cafe Mitte
Situated in the center of Brno, Cafe Mitte keeps it simple with just five tables, 10 chairs, and a steady stream of global visitors thanks to the hostel next door. The coffee rotates between Czech and international roasters, with espresso and filter options made carefully by a team that pays attention to detail. Seasonal drinks like affogato with homemade vanilla ice cream in summer have developed a devout local following.

Efsy
Efsy is transformative – a cafe by day and a lively cocktail bar by night. Close to Viktoria Žižkov, the spot is a favorite among the university crowd. A full-day menu runs from breakfast to evening snacks. You’ll find a strong lineup of espresso drinks and filter coffee, matched with straightforward pastries and light bites. With seating for 100, a cozy indoor patio, and fast Wi-Fi, it’s easy to stop by solo or with friends.

Kavárna co hledá jméno
This rustic Smíchov cafe serves freshly brewed coffee from the “Not Another Boring Roastery,” homemade desserts, and an exceptional all-day menu. Housed in a former carpentry shop, the Kavárna co hledá jméno’s industrial charm – exposed brick walls, steel beams, and large windows – provides a cozy atmosphere. Grab a spot at a communal table or head to the courtyard with a good book. Regular events, like workshops and art exhibitions, add to the creative vibe.

SmetanaQ Cafe & Bistro
SmetanaQ Cafe & Bistro sits along the river at Smetanovo nábřeží, drawing in a mix of students, creatives, and locals with quality coffee and a kitchen that whips up house-baked cakes, tarts, quiches, and sourdough. The menu includes breakfast options as well as hearty soups with fresh veggies and homemade bouillons. In warm weather, the shady terrace is a quiet place to linger with a glass of wine and a view.

Elias Coffee Shop
Located just steps from Wenceslas Square, Elias Coffee Shop is a hidden gem inside the Almanac X Alcron Prague hotel. It serves specialty coffee from Nordbeans alongside fresh, mainly plant-based pastries, including daily vegan options. The space blends sustainability, design, and culture through rotating art installations and seasonal signature drinks. Whether meeting friends or working remotely, Elias offers a calm atmosphere, quality coffee, and a modern take on cafe culture.

The Miners
Since opening its first cafe in Vinohrady six years ago, The Miners has quickly evolved its reach across the Czech capital (and Brno!), building a solid reputation around its no-nonsense approach to specialty coffee, using beans from its own roastery. This chain of sleek, minimalistic cafes – ranked among the 100 Best Coffee Shops in the World – serves well-executed brews, inventive seasonal drinks, and a food menu that leans into pastries, breakfast plates, and plant-based options.

Monogram Espresso Bar
Monogram Espresso Bar serves selected coffees from Czech and international roasters. Alongside espresso and cappuccino, enjoy filtered brews and sweet treats in a relaxed setting. A local hub for coffee lovers, this Brno cafe hosts regular cuppings and weekend workshops exploring the craft behind each cup. Seasonal drinks, alternative brew methods, and shelves of fresh beans to-go ensure there’s always something new to discover – and something great to take home.

Cafe Truhlárna
Cafe Truhlárna sits in a historic building that once housed a carpenter’s workshop next to the center’s peaceful Franciscan Garden. The outdoor seating just off Jungmannovo náměstí backs onto greenery, making it feel like a quiet retreat in the middle of Prague. Enjoy specialty coffee, matcha, local craft beer, and fresh pastries in a relaxed setting with a friendly crew. It’s a great spot for reading, chatting, or simply slowing down.

Momenta
Situated on Zelný trh, one of Brno’s most charming public squares, Cafe Momenta works with a rotating list of small local and international roasters to deliver some of the city’s best brews, and always has at least two options ready to go. The cafe makes its own French-style pastries and seasonal desserts, including caramel choux and homemade ice cream. The interior is well-designed, but the terrace offers lively market views during the summer.
