Let’s start with a confession: before the world turned upside down, the concept of ordering takeout was foreign to us. At Taste of Prague, our mission was to showcase the finest dining experiences Prague had to offer, especially for visitors seeking authentic culinary adventures. Takeout simply didn’t align with that purpose.
However, as we navigated the realities of a global pandemic, our perspectives shifted. With indoor dining heavily restricted, the choice narrowed down to cooking at home or embracing takeout. While home-cooked meals have their charm (and Zuzi is indeed a fantastic cook!), the need for variety and occasional respite led us to explore the world of takeout.
Today, we’re sharing our curated list of favorite takeout options in Prague. But before diving into specific recommendations, let’s establish some…
Essential Takeout Guidelines
Champion Your Local Eateries
This isn’t just a trendy hashtag; it’s a practical approach to enjoying better takeout while supporting your community. Food quality inevitably faces challenges during delivery. Opting for restaurants “near me” significantly mitigates this issue. A pizza from just around the corner is far more likely to arrive in perfect condition compared to one traversing the entire city. Imagine a delicate Neapolitan pizza making a cross-town journey – it might resemble soup upon arrival. Furthermore, by choosing neighborhood spots, you’re directly contributing to their survival and ensuring a vibrant local scene post-pandemic.
Embrace the Walk
If you’re committed to supporting local, consider taking a stroll to pick up your order. Delivery services often impose hefty fees that significantly impact restaurant profits. By opting for pickup, you not only bypass these charges, showing direct love to your local restaurant, but also benefit your own well-being with a bit of exercise. It’s a win-win situation, often accompanied by a brief but valuable human interaction as a bonus.
Be a Savvy Selector
Let’s be realistic: some dishes are inherently better suited for takeout than others. A well-packaged, steaming bowl of ramen or Pho can travel remarkably well, arriving as delicious as intended. However, creamy pasta dishes like Chicken Alfredo? Perhaps not the best choice. The likelihood of it arriving cold and with separated sauce is high. Smart restaurants recognize this and curate their takeout menus around items known for their travel-friendliness.
Opt for Home Finishing Touches
One ingenious way to overcome the unavoidable decline in food quality during transit is to choose semi-prepared meals that you can finish at home. Many restaurants have mastered the art of preparing dishes to a near-complete stage, handling the bulk of the work in their kitchens, while you simply take the final step – perhaps a quick bake in the oven or a fry. Suddenly, you’re the chef! Semi-finished options also grant you control over timing. Unlike waiting for a delivery and feeling rushed to eat before it cools, these meals can often be stored and finished at your convenience.
Elevate Your Home Dining Experience
Do yourself and the concept of civilized dining a favor: put a little effort into plating your takeout. Just because indoor dining is restricted doesn’t mean you should forgo enjoying your meal properly. Transfer your food to a plate. Open a nice bottle of wine. Put on some music you enjoy. Put away your phone or laptop. Wasn’t sharing a pleasant meal with loved ones the essence of indoor dining in the first place? You don’t have to lose that completely. Our “Eating Alone Together” dinner series was founded on this very principle – food is about the entire experience and context. Even with takeout “near me”, you have the power to shape that context, so make it count.
Our Favorite Prague Takeout Destinations During the Pandemic
Restaurants that have thrived during these challenging times are often those whose menus were inherently suited for delivery, whether consciously designed for “take out near me” or not. Kro Kitchen in Vinohrady is a prime example. They were exceptionally well-prepared for the takeout model, even before the pandemic. (We recall visiting Kro with a renowned restaurateur who, upon their opening, predicted potential financial struggles, failing to anticipate the pivotal role delivery would play in their success.) Kro Kitchen excels in catering to diverse preferences, offering both meat-centric and vegetarian options. Their vegetarian svíčková, currently on the menu, is particularly enticing, although we haven’t yet had the pleasure. If you’re picking up your order, take advantage of their recently opened Kro Coffee next door and browse the Kro Bakery for coffee, groceries, and artisanal breads.
Another standout for delivery-friendly fare is Paprika, an Israeli/Middle Eastern bistro. A major perk of Paprika is the guilt-free indulgence – their dishes manage to be both incredibly flavorful and health-conscious, a true win-win. We highly recommend their hummus, among the city’s best, their falafel and shawarma, and Zuzi is a particular fan of their vegan shakshouka.
Pho and soups, in general, are reliable takeout champions when properly packaged. We consistently return to the subtly spicy Bun Bo Hue at Banh Mi Makers and anything from Pho Bar, which recently expanded with a new location in Národní. Pho is the ultimate comforting dish, especially in colder months, but don’t overlook their Bun Bo Nam Bo and other Vietnamese specialties. These are great options when searching for “Best Take Out Food Near Me” for a cozy night in.
Kantýna is another frequent takeout choice for us. While their menu wasn’t originally designed for delivery, they adeptly adapted through intelligent packaging and slight menu adjustments. They now primarily offer ready-made dishes, requiring only a side or charcuterie from their store to complete the meal. We are also fond of their chlebíčky, classic Czech open-faced sandwiches – perfect for a quick and satisfying “take out near me” lunch.
For meat enthusiasts, Big Smokers offers impressive BBQ sets, ranging from smaller (though still generously sized) to family-scale feasts. Čestr has been offering exceptional multi-course steak dinner sets, a result of our collaboration on the “Eating Alone Together” series. These sets include fries with beef fat for frying, premium steaks, their signature Perigord sauce, and more – yum! Clear instructions are included for home preparation. Finally, Dish Fine Burger Bistro is known for their Dish Kit, a DIY burger kit allowing you to recreate their famous burgers at home. This is another successful “Eating Alone Together” collaboration, and home cooks have raved about the results. For those craving meat “near me”, these are top-tier choices.
Another meat-centric recommendation: The Real Meat Society boasts an excellent online store that’s a pleasure to use. They deliver a variety of meats, charcuterie, and prepared meals like their delicious meat pies, Scotch eggs, and signature vanilla custard donuts. Their delivery service is remarkably efficient, often delivering city-wide within two hours – ideal for spontaneous “take out food near me” meat cravings.
When classic Czech cuisine calls, we typically turn to two establishments. Výčep offers a superb svíčková, hearty dumplings with sauerkraut, and fish & chips using local trout. We appreciate Výčep’s approach to Czech cooking, which blends familiar comfort with modern, edgy twists. They’ve expanded their offering with a “koloniál” store, featuring items like rainbow trout caviar, smoked marrow, and excellent stocks for home cooking. Café Savoy has long been our go-to for schnitzel and potato salad, but they’ve expanded their takeout menu to include truffled fries and “fancy fast food” items like burgers and fried cod in a bun. Café Savoy is also a reliable source for excellent bread alongside your meal. For a final Czech option, consider U Matěje. While they dedicate weekdays to cooking for healthcare workers, they offer delightful three-course weekend meals for pre-order. These Czech restaurants are excellent when searching for “best take out food near me” for traditional flavors.
We must also mention Etapa, run by our friends Gabi and Peter (we’ve had two podcast interviews with them!). Having opened just before the pandemic, they adapted swiftly and have continuously improved. Their exceptional online customer service sets them apart – you’re always informed about their offerings and upcoming specials, like their sought-after loupáky or vánočka during Christmas. Their online shop also features a loyalty program and charming items like posters and ceramic cups – perfect for a little self-care treat with your “take out near me”.
Final tips? While we generally avoid pizza for takeout, Pizza Nuova’s pre-baked, cooled, and vacuum-sealed Neapolitan pizza pies for home finishing are genuinely intriguing. Neapolitan pizza isn’t known for traveling well, but this approach seems promising, and we’re eager to try it. Taro and Gao Den are also noteworthy. Taro is a modern pan-Asian restaurant offering excellent soups and curries, along with weekend three-course meals ready for home finishing. Gao Den offers a Vietnamese-inspired menu, and we particularly enjoy their rolls and Pho. Sia restaurant features a beautifully designed Peking duck set for home finishing, which is also very appealing. These Asian options broaden the scope of “best take out food near me” for diverse palates.
Lastly, Myšák has a fantastic online store offering breakfast sets, buchtičky se šodó (sweet buns with vanilla custard), eggs any style, loupák brioche rolls, and a tempting array of desserts. And, notably, a signature pack of Esíčka cookies named after Zuzi! A must-try, naturally. Myšák is your go-to “take out near me” for delightful breakfasts and sweet indulgences.
