Whether you’re looking for fresh produce from local farms or an unusual gastronomic experience, Prague has a market for every kind of foodie. Here’s our guide to the best food and drink markets in the Czech capital.
Food markets are continuing to pop up around Prague, as demand for high-quality, artisanal produce has grown among residents and visitors alike. From local cheeses to Vietnamese specialties, the city’s food and drink markets offer an unforgettable, authentic taste of Prague.
The farmer’s market on Jiřího z Poděbrad Square is located in the picturesque residential neighbourhood of Vinohrady, just a few stops away from the Old Town on the Metro. Open from Wednesday to Saturday, the market is made up of stalls selling the wares of local farmers, bakers and artisans, along with street-food vendors selling gourmet burgers and decadent pasta dishes. The stalls rotate from day to day, so there’s always something new to try. During the summer, sunbathers flock to the square to lounge on its lawns against the backdrop of the impressive Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord, famed for its enormous glass clock.
Not your typical market, Manifesto hosts over 25 food vendors inside a complex of converted cargo containers. Built on a former wasteland near Florenc station, the container village is equipped for all seasons – in the summer, the plentiful outdoor seating is the perfect spot for a sun-drenched lunch, while covered domes keep diners cosy in winter. The gourmet street-food stalls range from Mexican and trendy poke bowls to Pan-Asian fusion fare and a Czech microbrewery, with a number of local design brands also showcasing their work. Shoppers can take home a jacket or backpack by high-end streetwear brand Alexmonhart and colourful designer socks from LØVE+FUN SOCKS, or take a break from shopping altogether and enjoy musical performances and food masterclasses as part of Manifesto’s cultural programme. Manifesto reopens in March for its 2019 season.
The farmers’ market on the Náplavka riverfront takes place every Saturday morning. The stalls trade in seasonal vegetables and fruit from local producers, as well as handmade goods such as soap and pottery. Its convenient central location near the Dancing House makes it a particularly popular market for visitors to the city, who can enjoy a break from shopping with breathtaking views of Prague Castle from one of the many benches that line the picturesque riverside.
Also known as Little Hanoi, Sapa is a huge Vietnamese market complex on the outskirts of Prague. A labyrinth of shops and eateries, Sapa serves as a hub for Prague’s substantial Vietnamese community, who first started arriving during the Communist regime. Czechia’s Vietnamese population now numbers around 60,000, making it one of the country’s largest minority groups – it is reported that Nguyen, the most common Vietnamese surname, is now the ninth most common surname in the entire country. Home to a Buddhist temple, Sapa also boasts some of the best pho bo and bun cha in town. But with so many restaurants in the complex, the choice can be overwhelming. With this in mind, it’s worth going on one of the many private food tours on offer to navigate the abundance of food options. Sapa is also a great place to stock up on fresh groceries and imported goods, from tea to tofu.
Dejvice Farmers’ Market takes place on Saturdays on the square next to the Dejvická Metro station, just north of Prague Castle. Farmers and vendors from the surrounding countryside travel here to sell their fruit, vegetables, meat, cheeses and baked goods. In addition to locally sourced products, there’s a section of the market dedicated to foods imported from other parts of the world – look out for freshwater fish from Croatia and a wide selection of international wines.
Also known as Prague Market, Holešovice is the city’s largest year-round marketplace. Set within a former abattoir and cattle market dating from the era of Austro-Hungarian rule, the complex houses a flea market selling clothes (fake designer brands galore) souvenirs and antiques, as well as a number of Czech and Vietnamese restaurants and an Indian curry stand. Mini-markets are also dotted around the site, many selling imported Asian goods. The star attraction, though, is Hala 22, the biggest fresh-food market in Prague. Dozens of local farmers flock here to sell their produce, from fruit, vegetables and cheeses to nuts, herbs and honey.
