Eska Karlin is the original Ambiente bakery-cafe-restaurant in a converted 19th-century factory. The all-day room serves bread 33 from the bakery counter and a full breakfast menu.
Tip: The Stangl tasting room is upstairs; book in advance for that experience.
Address: Pernerova 49, 186 00 Praha 8, Prague
Sisters Bistro doubles as Old Town cafe and chlebicky counter, with Hana Michopulu's modern open-sandwiches, a few mains, and a calm front room for filter coffee and reading.
Signature drink: Lemonade
Tip: Two chlebicky plus a soup is lunch; arrive before 13:00 for the choice.
Kava Kava Kava Andel is the surviving Smichov branch of the 1997 original. Tight specialty bar near Andel with a working-day crowd, a bookshop next door and outside seating.
Signature drink: Espresso
Tip: The Andel branch is the active one; the Narodni original is no longer Kava.
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.
Signature drink: Wiener Melange
Tip: Book a window table; the breakfast plate comes with the legendary pastry of the day.
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.