The Best Wine Bars to Try in Prague

Veltlin is one of Prague’s most original wine bars. Keen to do something a little different, owner Bogdan Trojak exclusively sources wines from the former Austrian Empire. The classic décor of dark wood and chalkboards is balanced with playful illustrations that span the bar’s walls. The selection of wines is diverse and intriguing, featuring Czech, Hungarian, north Italian, Croatian and Austrian natural terroir wines. A team of chatty and devoted expert sommeliers are on hand to recommended strains to suit your tastes. Veltlin is a unique addition to Prague’s wine scene, and the perfect pretext to explore the charming Karlin neighborhood.

Enjoy excellent French wines from the Rhône region at Na břehu Rhony, which translates as ‘On the Banks of the Rhône.’ This popular little shop-turned- bar shares the best vintages, expertise and smiles with its thirsty customers. A wide range of wines are served in a comfortable, sweet and smart setting of wooden furniture and colorful modern design pieces. There’s food too, ranging from quiches, soups and cakes to pâte, salami and cheese platters that make a charming complement to the wines. If you’d like to get a broader feel for strains from the venerated Rhône region, you can even opt for an extensive tasting menu. This is the perfect place to stop by after a walk along the banks of the Vltava River or before exploring the imposing and impressive historical Vysehrad fortress nearby.

This sleek, modern wine bar is a discreet and stylish venue offering a plethora of Czech and international vintages in a hip, dimly lit setting. An understated décor of light wood furniture and bare light bulbs accentuate the numerous rows of carefully selected bottles from which to choose. The bar’s playful name (pif is a French slang word for nose) reflects the bar’s bon vivant vibe and intriguing food presentations. The dishes are delicate Czech-French hybrid concoctions, and the staff are extremely apt at recommending wines to suit your appetizers or meal. So if you’re looking for somewhere classy and trendy to have a glass and learn a bit about wine from knowledgeable sommeliers, this might just be it.

Beyond a discreet façade looking out on to the bustling Jiřího z Poděbrad square in the Vinohrady district, this French-inspired wine bar doubles as a café and bakery. Le Caveau is a family business and the place oozes charm — an old piano and wine barrel tables are paired with intricate wallpaper and old Czech furniture. The wines on offer are exclusively French, ordered in from producers in the Chablis region like Lamblin & Fils that has been running since 1690. The exquisite wines have been carefully selected, and the kind staff can advise you on cheeses to pair with your bottles. During the winter months, it’s a great place to hole up for a few hours; during the summer, you could sit at a table outside and enjoy a view over the bustling farmers’ market that frequently livens up the square. Le Caveau also holds regular gypsy jazz and swing nights that are well worth stopping in for.

Just a stone’s throw from the Charles Bridge, cozy wine bar Vinograf is nestled down a quaint cobblestoned street in the city center. Away from the bridge’s touristy hubbub, this is a classic wine bar popular with locals and visitors alike. With just eight candlelit tables beneath a gorgeous arched ceiling, Vinograf is an intimate and romantic spot to stop by for a drink. Czech, French and many more wines are available by the glass or the bottle, and the knowledgeable staff is more than happy to help you take your pick. Pair your vintage with a selection of the extensive cheese, salami and pâté platters on offer, and you’ve got yourself a splendid apéritif.

Champagneria is a stylish yet unpretentious addition to Prague’s ever-growing wine scene. Owner Pavel specializes in champagnes and sparkling wines made by the traditional method of secondary fermentation in the bottle. The selection on offer is small but varied and truly hits the spot, featuring top quality bottles chosen by expert sommeliers and sold at reasonable prices. You can pair your glass with a plate of snails or other small snacks. The setting is cozy and the owner friendly and knowledgeable about his selections. Champagneria also hosts exhibitions, music nights and special tasting sessions scheduled every month – check out their Facebook page to catch one. This is the perfect spot to let those bubbles go straight to your head.

Perched atop a beautifully restored vineyard in Prague’s second-largest park, Havlickovy Sady, Viniční altán is an open-air wine bar set up in a gorgeous intricate wooden gazebo structure supposedly set up by Emperor Charles IV. This is an ideal, scenic place to sit with a glass of wine on a bright day and take in a sweeping view over the city. You can try strains from the vineyard below as well as further-reaching Czech varieties. Away from the touristy sights, this spot has plenty of local treasures to offer, making it well worth the trip out of town. It is a great starting point from which to wander through the quaint and colorful streets of the Vinohrady (literally meaning vineyards) district.

This minute prosecco bar in the Vinohrady district is a friendly, classy and unpretentious spot renowned among locals for serving and selling the very best bubbly in the city. Beyond a tiny façade lies a convivial wood-paneled space, with cunningly chosen cork stools pulled up at a bar, perfect for engaging in discussion with the expert team of warm and chatty staff. For larger parties, there’s a cozy space in the basement with arched ceilings, a fireplace and comfortable sofas to relax on with a glass. A selection of tapas is available too, to keep you sustained as you taste your way through a few of the irresistible varieties of bubbly on offer. So if you’re passionate about prosecco, don’t pass up on this paradise.

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