Prague cafe scene — cheap espresso, fast WiFi, no time pressure
Prague has one of the densest cafe scenes in Central Europe. A flat white costs CZK 95-130 (EUR 3.80-5.20), espresso CZK 55-75 (EUR 2.20-3). Most specialty cafes offer free WiFi at 50-200 Mbps and don’t rush you out. The culture here is sit-and-stay — Czechs spend hours in cafes, so laptop workers blend in.
Skip tourist-trap cafes around Old Town Square. Head to Vinohrady, Karlin, or Letna for better prices, faster WiFi, and actual power outlets.
Top 5 laptop-friendly cafes
Cafe Louvre
Narodní 22, Nové Město
Můj šálek kávy
Křižíkova 105, Karlín
Café Savoy
Vítězná 5, Malá Strana
EMA espresso bar
Na Florenci 3, Nové Město
Café Místo
Krymská 12, Vršovice
Cafe etiquette in Prague
Order at the counter in most specialty cafes. Traditional Czech cafes (kavárna) have table service — wait to be seated. Tipping: round up or leave 10%. Nobody will ask you to leave after one coffee, but buy something every 2-3 hours if you’re working.
Laptops are welcome in most places during weekday mornings and afternoons. Avoid peak brunch hours (10:00-12:00 on weekends) at popular spots like Savoy or Louvre — the wifi bogs down and tables fill up.
Best neighborhoods for cafe-hopping
Vinohrady (Prague 2): The highest cafe density in Prague. Walk along Mánesova or Korunní and you’ll pass 6-8 good spots in 10 minutes. Try Místo Café, The Tavern, or Kavárna co hledá jméno.
Karlín (Prague 8): Rebuilt after the 2002 floods, now the tech-startup district. Můj šálek kávy and Kafe Karlin are the standouts. Quiet streets, flat terrain, good for walking between spots.
Letná (Prague 7): Fewer cafes but each one is solid. Café Letka in Letenské sady park has outdoor seating with a panoramic view of the Old Town. Best sunset work spot in Prague.
Avoid: Old Town (Staré Město) and Malá Strana tourist cafes — CZK 150+ for a basic coffee, slow WiFi, no outlets.