Where to drink wine in Prague

Wine may not be the first beverage that comes to mind when thinking of Prague. But the country's wineries have been making a name for themselves at international wine competitions, notably for their white wine varietals.

Most of the country’s wine is produced in the sunny southeast of Moravia (the eastern part of the country), with a much smaller wine region in Bohemia, just north of Prague. Prague has several excellent places where one can sample a variety of Bohemian and Moravian wines. Many of these wine bars also pride themselves on extensive cellars of international wines, too, so there's no need to restrict yourself to one – or two – bottles. Here are a few of Prague's best wine bars for trying out the local wines:

Vinograf Míšeňská

  Míšeňská 8, Prague 1 - Lesser Town    vinograf.cz
While there were a handful of respectable wine bars around before it, Vinograf took the scene up a notch when it first opened in Malá Strana by confidently focusing purely on local wines. It's a tiny spot in a brick-lined, arched room, with just a few tables, but the wine list is impressive, with six or seven bottles available by the glass each day. To stave off hunger, try goose rillettes, pickled camembert or cheese and sausages.

Vinograf Senovážné náměstí

Senovážné náměstí 23, Prague 1 - New Town    vinograf.cz
After the success of its Malá Strana bar, the folks behind Vinograf opened a larger wine bar and restaurant in New Town, still with the same focus on quality, class and service, but with a broader wine list (about 700 types are available) and much bigger space. The sleek, modern room is perfect for small groups, and the food menu changes often according to seasonal specialties. The lunch menu in particular is a good deal.

Veltlin

Křižíkova 115, Prague 8 - Karlín    veltlin.cz
Veltlin is a fast favorite in the ever-hipper district of Karlín, which is now home to some of the city's coolest hangouts. With about 12 sommeliers, it has an impressive reputation for its wine selection, which covers the wines of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. Special emphasis is placed on wines grown and made “authentically,” in other words, just as they used to be made in centuries past without the use of pesticides, commercial yeasts and modern chemicals. Once a month, Veltlin offers degustation nights where visitors can learn about specific wineries and sample their wares.

Bokovka

Dlouhá 37, Prague 1 - Old Town    bokovka.com
Named in Czech after the wine lovers' film "Sideways," Bokovka is a bright, cheery place that is part of the successful Ambiente group. Its wine club is bookable exclusively for private events, and the menu includes some harder-to-find Moravian vintages as well as French and Italian wines.

Prosekárna Myslíkova

Myslíkova 16, Prague 1 - New Town    prosekarna.cz
Wine-bar devoted exclusively to the Italian Prosecco, doing a fine job to promote its name in Prague. It matters not whether you are Prosecco aficionado or know it only for its bubbles. In the Prosekárna they can always advise you to suit your tastes. Be sure to expect a few bottles at the ready for drinking by the glass and a very well stocked cellar. To complement the bubbly, they serve Italian coffee and you can take a nibble at a basic selection of Italian delicacies. 

Field

U Milosrdných 12, Prague 1 - Old Town    fieldrestaurant.cz
The ambitious fine dining establishment in Prague, which got its Michelin star after just its first year of operation. Head chef Radek Kašpárek’s cuisine is modern and creative, highlighting clean-cut flavours and a fresh combination of seasonal ingredients. If you go into the Field, we recommend the full tasting menu with wines paired in advance.

Salabka

K Bohnicím 2, Prague 7 - Troja    salabka.cz
Salabka, located up on the crest of Troja with enviable views out over the city, also has its own vineyards (the largest in Prague) and winery onsite. It is the only place in Prague that grows its own grapes and produces its own wines. Their degustation menu with wine pairing or tasting of the local distalities from the first distillery in Prague is a must.