In February/March 2015 I spent a week in Prague, since my partner had been doing some work out there and it seemed like a good idea for me to go out and visit him. I was to join him at the hotel he was staying at, so I didn’t get much of a choice there, but during the day I was free to wander around Prague, do some sightseeing and stuff my face.
I had been prepared to find Prague difficult for eating gluten-free, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. While it doesn’t compare to say, the gluten-free options in London or New York, there is certainly enough to keep you fed for a week without having to resort to emergency supplies.
The Corinthia Hotel (link to website)
I didn’t pick this hotel myself, and therefore its excellent selection of gluten-free food was sheer good luck. It’s located in Prague 4, but 50m across from a metro station that will have you in the centre of Prague in 5 minutes. There is gluten-free bread available for breakfast (just ask for it) and the breakfast buffet has a large selection of fresh, healthy foods. Luckily, most of the bread and pastries seemed to be contained on their own islands, away from the other food. There are a few crossed grain symbols scattered around but it seemed rather inconsistent (the meat was labelled as gluten-free, but the cheese wasn’t).
Gluten-free bread rolls at the Corinthia Hotel Prague. Available at breakfast and dinner.
We ate here twice in the evenings due to exhaustion and illness and dined at the Let’s Eat restaurant and the Rickshaw restaurant. Service was very good, but there were a couple of mistakes on their allergy menus, so just bear that in mind, particularly with the Asian dishes that ought to contain soy sauce. (I didn’t ask about this mistake though, I just ate around it, so I could be wrong)
My restaurant reviews
Svejk Restaurant U Karla – traditional Czech cuisine with an entire gluten-free menu full of normally gluten-containing foods like dumplings, schnitzel and apple strudel.
Little Whale Restaurant – the entire menu is gluten-free excepted where indicated. Tiny place, good service, gourmet food.
Alriso – Entirely gluten-free restaurant – everything is made with rice flour, including pasta, bread and tiramisu.
Other places I went
This was not one of my choices, as I was joining my partner’s workmates for dinner here, but they produced an allergy menu that was pretty easy to understand and I had a very good risotto and several outstanding mojitos here. Very good value and a great atmosphere.
A cocktail bar that’s not to be missed! Booking recommended as they keep numbers inside strictly monitored to ensure that everyone is comfortable. This is the kind of place where the people behind the bar are “mixologists”, not barmen. It’s got a great retro vibe and the cocktails are exquisite.
Other places I found, but didn’t get round to eating at
This seems to be in a cave (?) but the reviews are mixed and it’s in a very touristy area. Gluten-free options available, but not extensive.
Mexican restaurant that has excellent reviews
Kosher Restaurant with gluten-free options
Right by the astronomical clock
Other recommendations
It’s got to be gluten-free has written about her 36 hours in Prague here.
I downloaded the Trip Advisor Prague app to my phone. I saved all the gluten-free restaurants I had found and was then able to wander around to my hearts content, never getting lost due to the offline maps, and know that I always had a gluten-free option near me. It also allowed me to find interesting exhibitions and museums in the local area, which resulted in us going to the rather nice museum of gastronomy.
Even in the off season, Prague is heaving with visitors (many of them wielding selfie sticks). Prague Castle is worth a visit if you get there early (and you get great views as you climb), but Vysehrad is also great, and rather more serene!
The walk up Petrin Hill is also wonderful, so if you are fit and enthusiastic it’s a great way to spend an afternoon (for those less able to walk there is a funicular up to the top). The Petrin Tower is at the top – we referred to it as the fake Eiffel Tower – but there’s also a fun little mirror maze which entertained me for much longer than it should have!
What are your Prague recommendations?
Thank you very much for this! I also have celiac disease. My husband and I are considering visiting our son in Prague when he is there this fall for a university program, and it’s so nice to hear there really are GF options! I had the impression it was all beer and bread, and I wasn’t expecting to be able to enjoy the food at all. So this is very encouraging!