Cafe Slavia, Prague

1 more image

On our last morning in Prague, we decided to go for a long walk to stretch our legs before the inevitable few hours of cramped-in sitting on a plane back home... give me an old city with a river, and I shall walk along it; it has to be done!

On this fine morning in November it was bitterly cold; colder than it had been until now on our visit, so our long walk was cut a little shorter than planned when we spotted the Cafe Slavia.

Cafe Slavia is a traditional cafe with gorgeous interiors that offers Czech and international cuisine. This famous grand coffee house across from the National Theatre opened in 1881 (the same year as the theatre) and became a meeting place of artists and intellectuals, including former president Vaclav Havel who was a frequent customer during his dissident years. In the same building, there is another dining hall and also function rooms that can be reserved for private events.
The dishes includes salad, fish and meat specialties on a regularly changing seasonal menu. They are also well-known for their extensive breakfast menu (they open at 8am) and when we arrived shortly after 10am, it was already quite busy.

We managed to grab a table by one of the large windows allowing views over the National Theater, the Charles Bridge, the Vltava river and the castle.

Favorite Dish: I tried the smoked salmon sandwich with tomatoes, fresh dill and lemon (CZK 1249.-) and it was big! A great way to start the day. John felt more greedy and sweet (oh, my sweetiepie husband... ok, excuse my luvvy-duvvy ramblings here...) and ordered the famous Czech pancakes with strawberry compot and fresh cream; also a great way to start the day I guess! I had cappuccino and John had a latte, and both were absolutely fantastic.

Service here is very polite and efficient; waiters spoke good English and were professional and pleasant to deal with. We heard that every day from 5pm onwards the cafe has a live piano player to entertain customers... unfortunately, as this was our last day we'll have to wait until we return for another visit to Prague - and return we shall indeed!

Opening hours:
Monday - Friday: 08:00am - midnight.
Saturday & Sunday: 09:00am - midnight.

The Cafe Slavia is surely on the must see list in every Prague travel guide. And I belive rightfully so. Besides being beautiful from the inside, if you are lucky enought to have a window seat you can see the river as well as the Charles bridge while sipping your delicous coffee. We had breakfast there one day, which compared what we found in other places was not that great. Service was great, the atnosphere amazing. I am very happy we went there. Just imaginng all the amazing people who have been there and possibly sat right where I sat gives me goosebumps.

1 more image

Long before Vaclav Havel became the first president of Czechoslovakia he and his literary friends were frequent guest at this traditional place across the street from National Theatre. Entering Cafe Slavia also means entering a different period in time. The interior hasn't been changed since the 60-ies. They've got a great variety of cakes. A big plus: you don't have to remember the names or try to explain "the pink one with the little berries on" - all cakes are displaid at the entrance - you just have to remember the number on the cake.

Favorite Dish: We only had Coffee and hot chocolate. There were real oranges in the "hot chocolate with oranges" - rarely the case.

Take seat next to window and enjoy the views at the river and Prague Castle. At the time we were there, it was packed with tourist but with locals too. I didn't like the interior but the views had made for it.

Favorite Dish: We just had the coffies and mineral waters.

This place is the real thing.
Yes it is crowded, yes it is filled with tourists and no the coffee not the best in Prague but you cannot beat the ambiance, history and location overlooking the Vltava and Prague Castle.
Prices are higher than elsewhere but the czech food is done well and compares well with czech home cooking..try the goulash and czech dumplings.
deserts are nice as well.
Slavia is a great place for an afternoon break, snack or quick meal with a view!

Favorite Dish: location, history

Cafe Slavia (Slavia Kavarna in Czech) is probably the best known cafe in Prague, dating back to the days when Kafka and his contemporaries would sip coffee (or absinthe, depending on the time of day) and wax romantic the state of the world, mind, heart and soul - up to the days when the Velvet Revolution was in its embryotic stages and ultimately, change the face of the Czech Republic, Europe and the world.

Favorite Dish: The coffee is, of course, excellent, as well as the desserts. The ice cream specialties have almost a narcotic effect and the pancake dishes are a must to try.

Cafe Slavia
One of this old cafes in town. Writers like Rilke, composers like Smetana etc. were spending their time here. It has been renovated a few years ago and now it's at a glance again. I loved the old flair of it!

Took this pic in the early 90's. the traffic is much heavier these days....

Favorite Dish: Just have a cup of coffee and maybe a little piece of cake!

Whenever you come here you will have some special moments to remember.....
Nice place to have a breakfast , a lunch, a drink ...
The desserts are lovely.......
Good bar choice....
The interior is magnificent....tha waiters are very handsome....

Favorite Dish: Cheesecake!!!!! mm-m---m--m! beyond the words!

It's one of these big lovely old fashioned cafe houses ... wonderful atmosphere!

Favorite Dish: Just a drink and a newspaper!