MAPPED: Prague’s best butchers and delis for charcuterie, cheese, and picnic fixings

A great picnic starts with the right supplies: fresh bread, sliced meats, cheeses, olives, sweets, and something to sip. So we asked the experts at Ambiente to share their tips on Prague’s wide range of delis, butchers, and bakeries available to satisfy every foodie fantasy. Finding the picnic spot is the easy part; with almost 40 percent of green space available, it’s more a matter of “when?” than “where?” 

Prague’s Old Town is home to this top-tier butcher shop and casual eatery. Savvy foodies know the locally sourced, premium meats and hearty snacks are ready for the taking – just point to any steak you see at the butcher’s counter and they will grill it to your liking. Beef up your sandwich game with one of their wagyu-style burgers, or treat your picnic party to some sumptuous tartare.

If you’re looking for a particular kind of sausage or cheese, especially of the Central/Eastern European variety, Masna Kozí has you covered. Their old-school deli and butchery offer an education on the Czech deli experience. Here, you can try “food like it was during the time of President Masaryk” with flavorful, affordable lunch options like fried Edam cheese on a bun. Their meats, cheeses, pickles, and other side dishes offer historic tastes of Prague you won’t find anywhere else. 

When you’re craving la dolce vita flavors, take a mini trip to Italy at La Dispensa. Grab fresh-baked focaccia, some sharp pecorino romano or creamy burrata, or one of their famous arancini, along with a selection of cured Italian meats carefully chosen by the owners. If you’re preparing a larger outdoor feast, indulge in the perfect olive oil, some specialty pastas, and regional condiments sourced from small Italian farms, along with classic Italian cookies and cakes for dessert.

Kantýna in Prague’s New Town is a paradise for meat lovers, blending the nostalgic feeling of a traditional butcher shop with the hipness of a casual dining hall. It’s often hard to choose between their roasted pork, Czech beef, or bone marrow, which is why their “choose your meat(s) by weight” model is perfect for those craving a bit of carnivorous variety. As a bonus, everything on the menu is available for takeaway (including their steak tartare). Pair them with fresh sides and beer, and you’ll be set for a hearty picnic.

Housed in a former factory, Eska’s open bakery in Karlín will tempt you with the scents of fresh bread. It’s the perfect base for crafting your picnic sandwiches, along with their rich salted butter. Everything can be purchased onsite along with artisanal grocery items from local Czech farms. Their new location in Letná makes it even easier to pick up goods for picnics in Stromovka park. Grab a coffee, some pastries, or even one of their homemade lemonades as additions to your satisfying outdoor dining event. 

This vibrant, well-stocked Halal shop provides picnic planning with a Middle Eastern twist. Their wide selection of fresh, certified Halal meats, including lamb chops, chicken, beef, and Merguez sausages, pairs perfectly with other ready-to-takeaway staples like preserved lemons, couscous, spices, dates and snacks. Not sure where to start? Their staff kindly offers a “food sample tour” for those hungry to try what’s on offer.

For a large selection of European charcuterie, cheeses, wines, and gourmet pantry essentials, head to Lahůdkářství Sváček, a local favorite for crafting a sophisticated picnic basket. With multiple locations in the city, you can find deli items from Italy, France, Spain, and Czechia all in one place. Their knowledgeable staff can help guide wine pairings for your treats, or wrap up your chosen items in a gift basket that will impress your party.

Where would the cast of Mamma Mia shop for groceries in Prague? They’d head to Greek Corner, a cozy chain of Greek delis offering a rich variety of authentic regional specialties. Keep your picnic fresh with imported olives, feta, baklava, and more, or pick up some halloumi to throw on the grill, sprinkled with spices that will instantly transport you to your favorite Greek island.

Squeezed between cafes along Jiřího z Poděbrad’s trendy square is Mikrofarma, a meat lover’s haven and a fantastic spot for gathering picnic essentials. Operating as both butcher shop and casual bistro, it offers a carefully curated selection of prime cuts like dry-aged beef, organic meats, pastrami sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, and more, ready for takeaway. You can also grab quality side dishes, draft cider or beer to round out your meal.

If you want barbecued foods but don’t actually own a grill (or want to bother with smoking meats for hours at a time), Isaac’s BBQ will hook you up with classic American-style eats. Run by the Dirty Dog Barbecue crew, you’ll be the picnic favorite with some slow-smoked ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and sausages, all accompanied by rich, homemade sides and tangy sauces. Try some of their international mashups like the Return to Mott St., featuring a gochujang bbq pork, pickled onion, cilantro and rispy shallots on a bao bun.