A newer side of the city
The stereotype of Prague as strictly a beer-and-pork city has been out of date for a while. A genuine specialty coffee culture has grown up over the last decade or so, led by independent roasters and small cafés rather than chains — concentrated especially in Vinohrady and Žižkov, the residential districts just east of the centre covered in our neighbourhood guides.
Why it's worth the short trip out
Cafés directly on the main tourist routes are built for footfall and convenience, not necessarily for a great cup — there's nothing wrong with them for a quick break, but they're rarely where locals go for coffee on purpose. A short tram or metro ride into Vinohrady gets you slower, better coffee in a calmer setting, often in the same café doing good breakfast or brunch too.
Vegetarian and vegan options
The same neighbourhoods leading the coffee scene have also expanded Prague's vegetarian and vegan options well beyond what the classic meat-and-dumpling menu in our cuisine guide suggests. If plant-based eating matters to your trip, Vinohrady and Žižkov are worth prioritising over the Old Town for dinner, not just coffee.