Cafe Savoy has anchored the Mala Strana riverside since 1893 under a protected neo-Renaissance ceiling, with daily pastries from the Mysak shop and Ambiente's full kitchen.
Tip: Book a window table; the breakfast plate comes with the legendary pastry of the day.
Address: Vitezna 124/5, 150 00 Praha 5, Prague
Cafe Louvre opened in 1902 on Narodni near the National Theatre. Kafka and Einstein were regulars. The first-floor billiard room still works; breakfast served from 08:00 daily.
Signature drink: Vienna coffee
Tip: Order the Vienna breakfast plate; the billiard tables are bookable upstairs.
Cafe Imperial brings Zdenek Pohlreich's modern Czech cooking to a 1914 Art Deco room of ceramic tiles and Egyptian pillars. The grand-cafe atmosphere and the schnitzel hold equally.
Signature drink: Wiener Melange
Tip: Breakfast is the smartest reservation; sit toward the back to see the ceiling.
Cafe Slavia opened in 1884 facing the National Theatre. Smetana and later Havel were regulars; the Art Deco room overlooks Prague Castle and is best at sunset with absinthe.
Signature drink: Cafe Slavia coffee
Tip: Sit on the river side; the Drinker of Absinthe painting hangs above the bar.
Kavarna Adria sits on the first floor of the Adria Palace, overlooking Jungmann Square. The bright cafe-restaurant runs a calm midday crowd, full kitchen and proper espresso program.
Signature drink: Filter coffee
Tip: Take the corner table by the window for the best square view.
Muj Salek Kavy translates as my cup of coffee. The Doubleshot-run room in Karlin was Prague's first serious specialty cafe, serving breakfasts and changing single-origin pours.
Signature drink: Doubleshot espresso
Tip: Reservations save the day at brunch; the breakfast plate is the kitchen's tightest.
EMA Espresso Bar is Prague's tightest counter-only specialty coffee chain. The Florenc original near the bus terminal opened in 2013 with a Kees van der Westen machine and standing room.
Signature drink: EMA filter
Tip: Pour-overs come from rotating roasters; sit at the window if you need to type.