Your “Accidental American Tourist” Guide to Prague Alternatives – Just a Pack
You know the feeling: you’re on the road and you’re feeling a bit homesick, and you’re just craving the grilled cheese sandwich that your local coffee shop serves. It’s not uncommon to yearn for the creature comforts of home while you’re in a foreign place, but what if we told you we had the answer? At least, we do if you’re in Prague.
Having lived outside our home country for at least 10 years, we know what it’s like to search for the closest possible thing your new city has to that one thing you desperately miss from your hometown.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of popular foods and activities from the US and suggested Prague alternatives that just might scratch the itch. We get it: it might not be exactly the same, but in our opinion, it comes pretty darn close… and in some cases, it might even be better.
Prague alternatives for your favorite comfort foods
If you want McDonald’s… try The Tavern
There’s just something about a greasy McDonald’s burger that hits the spot after a long travel day or a late night out, but try not to give in to the ease of going for what’s familiar.
Instead, head to The Tavern, an American smash burger joint situated at the edge of the popular Riegrovy Sady. The restaurant boasts the biggest selection of American smash burgers in the city, complete with vegetarian and vegan options. And trust us… we have dreams about the West Coast Freshburger (it’s vegetarian!).
Aside from burgers and fries, The Tavern serves Southern fried chicken sandwiches and American-style weekend brunch. Not bad for a Prague alternative.
If you want rotisserie chicken… try Kro
If that glistening, rotating bird makes your mouth water every time you pass the grocery store deli, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, though, Czech grocery quality isn’t always up to par.
We recommend heading to Kro instead. Kro Kitchen has three locations in Prague, and their chicken dishes are to die for. The brand prides itself on using the whole bird, and the whole part of every other ingredient, for that matter. They pickle and ferment dishes in-house, giving you a wide variety of high-quality menu items to choose from.
Perhaps the most popular dishes for rotisserie lovers are the quarter, half, or whole chicken meals served with your choice of side and sauce as well as a seasonal salad.
If you want a sports bar vibe… try BarFood
Cold beers, shareable apps, chicken wings, and the game — what could be better? This type of atmosphere might be hard to find in Prague, but we know a hidden gem in Žižkov that can scratch the itch.
BarFood is an American dive bar serving a variety of full-size wings (or cauliflower wings) with your choice of almost 10 sauces and rubs alongside a dip of your choice. There are also plenty of burgers, sandwiches, and loaded fries (yes, they have curly fries!) to choose from.
The bar often throws parties while they screen certain sports games, and the bench-style seating in the dining room ensures the TVs are visible from any angle.
If you want Domino’s… try Third Coast Pizza
As an American in Prague, finding really good pizza here that’s not exclusively thin-crust is nearly impossible, so it’s tempting to reach for the phone and order Domino’s… but don’t do it. We have a better idea.
Third Coast Pizza is a Detroit-style pizza place that opened in Žižkov in 2022 and, in our opinion, has been dominating the pizza scene ever since. The gourmet deep-dish pizza pies layered with toppings of your choice will certainly satisfy the craving for some thick, doughy crust.
They round out their menu with quality cocktails and plenty of craft beer, and they often host sports screenings alongside a weekly pub quiz.
If you want Denny’s… try Marthy’s Kitchen
There’s nothing like a tall stack of pancakes covered in butter and syrup to start your Saturday off right. Unfortunately, though, American-style pancakes can be hard to find in Prague.
For your Prague alternative, head to one of the two Marthy’s Kitchen locations. Marthy’s Kitchen is one of the most popular brunch spots in Prague, evident by the fact that their flagship location almost always has a line outside on weekends.
They may not have American pancakes, but they do have a variety of sweet crepes with fruit and other toppings. You’ll also find plenty of eggs benedict options alongside breakfast sandwiches, french toast, French-style croques, omelettes, and much more.
If you want Taco Bell… try Mexicali Mercado
Good Mexican food is famously difficult to find in Prague, even the greasy version where “good” is debatable like at Taco Bell.
If you’re on the hunt for Mexican in Prague, though, try Mexicali Mercado. They serve a variety of tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and more with slow-roasted meats, fish, or vegetarian options. If you make it there before 11am on a weekday, you can also enjoy huevos rancheros.
As a bonus, it’s also a market — you can buy some ingredients in bulk to make your own Mexican food at home.
If you want Wingstop… try Wingz
You can’t get more American than chicken wings, and Wingstop tends to be the go-to in the US. Prague has had plenty of wings places come and go over the years, but Wingz stands out as the steadfast option.
Wingz brands themselves as “Europe’s ONLY authentic Buffalo wings,” and we can indeed confirm that they balked when we asked for a side of ranch. Situated in the Holešovice neighborhood, Wingz serves chicken wings, burgers, fries, and other American classics, including vegetarian options.
If you want Dairy Queen… try Crème de la Crème
There’s nothing better than ice cream in the summer, and whether you’re a Blizzard or a soft serve person, Dairy Queen certainly scratches that itch.
Prague may not have a ton of soft serve lying around, but we have something better: Crème de la Crème, one of our favorite Prague alternatives. This chain has six locations throughout the city and they serve handmade ice cream made Italian-style. They have almost 20 flavors of regular ice cream along with a few fruit sorbets and even some vegan options. Our favorite thing to do is mix a scoop of vegan hot chocolate ice cream with a scoop of hazelnut.
If you want Olive Garden… try Pasta Fresca
Who doesn’t love Olive Garden? With its delicious breadsticks, creamy salad dressing, and huge menu of Italian classics, it’s hard to go wrong.
While this Italian-American chain has not expanded to Prague, you can still get fresh (and dare we say, higher quality) pasta at Pasta Fresca, a few steps away from Old Town Square. This Italian trattoria prides itself on its handmade pasta and focaccia along with fresh fish and other Italian classics. And if you’re looking for the best tiramisu in town… this is it.
If you want a bagel… try Bejgl
Americans are famously protective of their bagels, while Czechs… don’t always understand the difference between a bagel and a donut. You can imagine, then, how Prague has been a bit of a bagel desert.
Enter Bejgl: a newly opened sourdough bagel bakery in Vinohrady run by a northern California native. The place has already created quite a buzz with its variety of bagels served with your choice of cream cheese-based spreads. Its sandwiches, though, are what get the most attention: imagine a bagel stuffed with pastrami and Swiss cheese, or opt for the vegan carrot lox. Don’t forget to take dessert for the road, too — the American-style cookies and coffee cakes are to die for.
If you want Outback Steakhouse… try The Down Under
Outback Steakhouse is famous for its Bloomin’ Onion, loaded cheese fries, and, of course, its steaks. Have you ever stopped to ask, though, what Australian food actually is?
You’ll find it at The Down Under in Prague. Alongside classics like burgers, salad, and schnitzel, you can choose from items like kangaroo steak and kangaroo goulash (yes, it’s real kangaroo meat). But their pies are where The Down Under really shines: there are almost 10 varieties of Aussie pot pies on the menu.
The friendly Aussie atmosphere is also strong here; similar to Outback, they’ve got plenty of TVs to show your favorite sports games. Or, pop in for quiz night or a round of pool.
If you want a classic diner sandwich… try Sandwich Rodeo
Is there anything more American than a hole-in-the-wall diner? Diners bring a certain retro feel with their leather booths and simple yet oh-so-tasty sandwiches, but it’s admittedly hard to find something quite this American outside of the US.
If you’ve got a hankering for a classic diner sandwich, we recommend Sandwich Rodeo. The interior offers the same leather booth seating accented with shiny silver, and the menu of sandwiches is small but packs a huge punch. With a few fried chicken sandwiches, shrimp rolls, and even a more upscale caviar burger, this place blows your typical diner sandwich out of the water. The king of the Sandwich Rodeo menu in our opinion, though, is the classic meatball sub.
If you want a Sunday roast… try James Joyce Irish Pub
For the Brits out there feeling a little left out, we also investigated where you can find a good Sunday roast here in Prague. If you’re a little homesick on a Sunday afternoon, your Prague alternative is James Joyce Irish Pub.
Branded as “Prague’s cosy Irish pub,” James Joyce will serve you a marinated sirloin steak with grenaille potatoes, a sauce of your choice, and pepper gravy. If you’re not in the mood for a full roast but still want a taste of home, dig into the fish & chips or the bangers & mash.
Prague alternatives for when you’re thirsty
If you want Starbucks… try mamacoffee
We know, we know: Prague has Starbucks. But did you cross the world to get the same mediocre coffee that’s even more overpriced here than it is back home? We didn’t think so.
mamacoffee is your Prague alternative. This Czech chain has more than 5 locations across Prague and is known for its premium coffee and sustainable business practices. By partnering directly with coffee farmers around the world, mamacoffee ensures they’re following fair-trade practices and getting the best coffee into your cup.
The chain is also an artisan bakery, so you can get fresh pastries at each location, including some vegan options.
If you want to hit the Samuel Adams taproom… try the Strahov Monastery Brewery
The craft beer scene in the United States is booming, especially in cities like Asheville and Cincinnati. Sam Adams, one of the most well-known breweries, has taprooms across the country, and the atmosphere of an American taproom is unmatched.
The craft beer scene in Prague, on the other hand… honestly, it’s lacking. More and more small breweries are popping up, but in our experience, the closest thing you’ll get to an American taproom is the 17th-century Strahov Monastery Brewery. They’ve got a few housemade beers on tap and a menu full of Czech classics. Complete with bench seating inside and an outdoor courtyard, you can spend the day here sampling beers and snacks just like you would at home.
If you want to hit your summer neighborhood DORA… try Náplavka
DORAs, or Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas, are popping up across the US, circumventing the country’s open container laws so adults can enjoy an alcoholic drink outside. But did you know that Prague as a whole is the original DORA? That’s right, there are no open container laws here.
The best “DORA” of all time might just be Náplavka. This riverfront hangout is home to plenty of bars, restaurants, and coffee shops — some on boats on the water, some on shore. If you don’t want to sit down, take your drink to go and walk along the strip, or even bring your own. You’ll also occasionally find street food stands and live music here, making for the perfect summer evening.
Prague alternatives for essential experiences
If you want Barnes & Noble… try The Globe
Stepping into a Barnes & Noble has a specific feeling: the smell of new books, the soothing background music, the cafe in the corner where you can enjoy a mid-shop coffee and pastry. Considering Barnes & Noble is an American bookstore with material mostly in English, though, that feeling can be hard to find here…
Until you step into The Globe. The Globe Bookstore and Cafe was Prague’s first English-language bookstore, opened in 1993, and it’s still a popular hangout for expats and English-speaking tourists. The bookstore portion is located at the front, with two floors of books spanning all genres for readers of all ages. It also regularly hosts book signings and poetry readings.
The cafe portion is at the back, also with two floors of seating and a courtyard open in the summer. Whether you’re coming for brunch, dinner, a pub quiz, or just a coffee while you work, it’s a cozy, welcoming spot.
If you want to have a backyard barbecue… try Stromovka
Backyard barbecues are an essential part of an American summer, but in the city of Prague, barely anyone has a backyard. If you’re lucky, your apartment building may have a courtyard, but good luck fitting more than 4 people in there, if you’re even allowed to grill.
Stromovka fixes that issue right up. This massive park in Prague is located in Holešovice and has a designated space with public grills that you can reserve online. They’re eco-friendly and super easy to use; all you have to do is touch a button to turn it on. Bring your friends, a few prepped meats, cheeses, and veggies to grill, and some drinks and you’re good to go.
If you want to go to a football game… try a Bohemians game
Heading to the stadium to watch an American football game is an experience, and it’s not just about the sport. There are tailgate parties, people in full team decor, and camaraderie between strangers like you’ve never seen.
Since American football obviously isn’t as big here (although there are a few American football teams), you’ll want to hit a soccer game to satisfy your craving for that high-energy atmosphere. A Bohemians game is your perfect entry point: the team competes in the Czech First League, with their home stadium near the city center. You’ll find seats and a standing area, plenty of Czech beer, and fans just as passionate as you’d find in the US.
If you want to hit Regal Theaters… try Edison Filmhub
Those craving a classic cinema experience complete with popcorn and candy won’t find their favorite American movie theater chain here. Luckily, though, Prague has plenty of artsy, independent options where your experience will be elevated.
Our favorite Prague alternative movie theater is Edison Filmhub. Widely known as one of the best cinemas in Europe, it even recently earned a spot on Time Out’s list of the greatest cinemas in the world. Situated inside a UNESCO-protected building, the venue is a respected arthouse cinema playing a mix of local, European, and international films. Arrive early to enjoy a coffee and a snack in the cafe, and take your drink with you into the cinema when your movie starts.
If you want to listen to house music… try drum & bass
One of the most popular genres of EDM, house music rose up in the 1980s and has only grown since. House dominates the US EDM scene, and it certainly has its place at raves here in Prague, too. It’s just not quite as popular as another genre: drum & bass.
Drum & bass, having originated in the UK, has spread far and wide across Europe, and it’s much easier to find drum & bass shows here than any other EDM genre. Characterized by fast breakbeats and heavy bass, this versatile genre is often played at Prague venues like Cross Club, ROXY, Bike Jesus, and more.
Living abroad can be challenging, and we often get homesick for some of these foods and feelings from our hometowns. Hopefully these alternatives will help satisfy some of those cravings for you the way they do for us. It’s not exactly the same, but in some cases… it’s better.
Curious about a Prague alternative for something else back home? Let us know and we’ll do our best to find it.
