There are numerous options for lunch around the ICDA-5 location. These restaurants typically provide lunch menu options at affordable fixed-prices (~10 EUR or under). However, in many cases these menus (called 'Poledni menu') are not translated into English, unlike regular menu with higher prices. The lunch menu is typically listed daily or weekly on their web pages, so you can use google translate or ask the server for help. No reservation is needed.
Here are our recommendations:
📍 Base Camp
1 - ICDA-5 venue (CTU in Prague, FNSPE): Ground zero. Where you pretend to understand the morning keynote while secretly plotting your escape to one of the options below.
🍺 The "When in Prague" Heavy Hitters
7 - Kozlovna Apropos: Fueled by dark and light Kozel beer. The portions here are structurally engineered to require a post-lunch nap.
15 - U Parlamentu: Old-school traditionalism at its finest. Expect heavy gravy, historic vibes, and classic dishes that haven’t changed since the fall of the Berlin Wall.
17 - V Kolkovně: The gold standard for a bustling, Pilsner-centric Czech meal. It’s loud, it's classic, and the tank beer is flawless.
18 - U Rudolfina: A legendary, unpretentious pub right near the concert hall. Come for the properly poured Pilsner, stay to wash down your academic existential dread.
👑 Czech, But Make It Fashion
2 - Restaurace Mincovna: Flashy, upscale vibes directly on the Old Town Square. It’s traditional Czech cuisine with a modern fusion glow-up. Excellent for spending that grant money.
4 - Katr rastaurant: Sleek, modern Czech dining. Perfect for when you want a goulash that doesn't look like it was ladled out of a medieval cauldron.
14 - Potrefená husa: (Translates to "The Wounded Goose"). A reliable, modern pub chain. It’s the safe bet—good beer, sharp service, zero surprises.
✈️ International Escapes
6 - La Casa Blů: A colorful, lively portal to Latin America. A much-needed break for your palate, packed with energy and spices.
8 - Maitrea restaurace: The vegetarian and vegan sanctuary. A peaceful oasis to detox your liver and arteries from the rest of this list.
9 - Sushi Viet: Pan-Asian harmony. Fresh, fast, and proof that Prague’s Vietnamese food scene is secretly elite.
11 - TURQUOISE: Mediterranean and hummus bar. Pure sunshine on a plate. Light enough to ensure you don't fall asleep during the 2:00 PM presentations.
12 - Five Rivers Indian Kitchen: The All-You-Can-Eat Indian Buffet. Exceptional flavors, but a high risk of an afternoon food coma. Deploy tactical restraint.
🍕 The Carb Loading Zone
5 - Pizzeria Castello: Solid, dependable Italian. Because sometimes your brain just demands pizza or pasta.
10 - Pizzeria Donna: Italian pizza, but with a distinct Czech accent. Don't ask questions, just enjoy the local adaptation.
⚡ Wildcards & Express Options
3 - The PUB U Tarabíka: The Danger Zone. You tap your own beer from a touchscreen at your table. Proceed with extreme caution if you are presenting a paper later this afternoon. Affordable pub grub.
13 - Bageterie Boulevard: The local express option. The Czech answer to Subway, but classier, crispier, and much faster. Perfect if you have exactly 15 minutes before your next session.
16 - Krčma: Literally a medieval dungeon. It’s dark, atmospheric, highly carnivorous, and candle-lit. Eat like a 14th-century king.
🧭 The "Choose Your Own Adventure" Backups
-
The Kaprova Street Panic Stations (Near the Metro): If you are sprinting to or from the Staroměstská Metro station and realize you have exactly four minutes to ingest calories before your session, Kaprova Street is lined with various express fast-food bistros. It's quick, cheap, and requires zero decision-making.
-
The "Someone Else is Paying" Old Town Premium: If you are armed with a corporate card, trying to impress a keynote speaker, or just want to blow your entire travel grant in one sitting, the surrounding Old Town is packed with high-end, pricier culinary experiences. Just look for the white tablecloths and the distinct lack of broke students.
Giving tips
The tips are not included in the bill and tipping in Czech restaurants, cafés, and bars is common practice. The staff is pretty much dependent on tipping as their salaries are usually quite low. If you are satisfied, it’s polite to leave about 10 %. Usually, one rounds up the bill, for example when the price of your meal is 363 CZK and you have 500 CZK notes, just say you want to pay 400 CZK. If you pay by card you can leave your cash tip in the bill holder or say you would like to pay more and the waiter will increase the price in the card terminal. We never leave tips right on a table.