Grocery store tourism: The new way to experience a city
When people think of food tourism, they usually picture restaurants, cafés, or street food. But more and more travellers are discovering another way to experience local culture and meet local producers through food: grocery store tourism – visiting local food shops and markets.
Instead of fridge magnets, they take home local cheeses, jams, or freshly baked bread. They browse farmers’ shops, butcheries, bakeries, and food markets, discovering what locals actually eat. It’s a way of travelling that offers a more authentic experience than the usual tourist attractions.
Prague is an ideal destination for grocery store tourism. Alongside its vibrant modern food scene, the city still has a strong tradition of artisan bakeries, butcher shops, and markets selling produce from Czech farmers.
In Prague, food takes the spotlight
Over the past few years, Prague’s food scene has undergone a huge transformation. Alongside top restaurants, dozens of places focused on high-quality ingredients and traditional craftsmanship have emerged. Many chefs work closely with farmers, bakers, and butchers, while more and more restaurants are making their own bread, charcuterie, preserves, and other products.
As a result, you can now take home not only traditional Czech specialities, but also many of the same products used by some of the country’s best chefs. If you want to experience the city in a different way than simply eating in restaurants, go grocery shopping like a local.
Where to buy local food in Prague
1) Fruit and vegetables
You’ll find the best fruit and veg at small independent shops and farmers’ markets rather than in supermarkets. The selection changes with the seasons, so in summer you might find Czech strawberries, apricots, or tomatoes, while autumn brings mushrooms, pumpkins, and apples.
We’ve put together a detailed guide to the best places to buy fresh fruit and vegetables in Prague in a separate article here:
2) Meat
Czech butchery has a long tradition, and Prague is home to several butcher shops that are well worth a visit. Besides fresh meat, ham, and charcuterie, you can also try a variety of ready-to-eat meat specialities.
- Naše maso
Probably the best-known butcher shop in Prague. It offers high-quality Czech meat, homemade charcuterie, and ready-to-eat dishes. Buy ingredients to cook with at home or grab a burger, steak tartare, or a Czech-style meatloaf sandwich to eat on the spot.
- Masna Kozí
A modern butcher shop with a casual eatery, focusing on high-quality Czech meat, personal service, and traditional craftsmanship.
- Kantýna
Part restaurant, part butcher shop, this is one of Prague’s most interesting food destinations. Buy meat to take home or have it prepared for you on the spot.
- The Real Meat Society
Specialising in dry-aged beef, homemade charcuterie, and premium products from trusted farmers and producers.
Learn more about Czech butchery tradition in our interview with butcher František Kšána:
3) Bread and pastries
Fresh bread is a cornerstone of Czech cuisine, and Prague is now home to one of the most exciting artisan baking scenes in Central Europe. So, where should you go for a fresh loaf?
- Eska
One of the best-known Czech artisan bakeries, Eska played an important role in bringing traditional Czech bread-making back to Prague. When the team at Ambiente began looking for a recipe for traditional Czech bread, they discovered that the craft of baking bread in its original form had almost disappeared. After years of experimentation, internships, and searching for high-quality ingredients, they created their iconic Bread 33 – a sourdough loaf made with rye and wheat flour, potatoes, and caraway. It is fermented for up to 18 hours, resulting in a deeply baked, crispy crust and moist crumb that stays soft for several days.
- Antonínovo pekařství
A popular bakery chain frequented mainly by locals. You will find excellent sourdough bread, sweet pastries, and traditional Czech kolache.
- William & Thomas
An artisan bakery inspired by the French baking tradition and Czech ingredients. Everything is baked on site, and slow fermentation gives the bread and pastries a rich flavour and crisp crust. Try their sourdough loaves, croissants, and baguettes. Their Prague bakery is located in Klamovka.
- Pekárna Praktika
Pekárna Praktika is one of the pioneers of Prague’s artisan baking scene. They focus primarily on sourdough bread and high-quality, freshly milled flour. The emphasis on grains, flour, and long fermentation gives the bread a distinctive flavour and character.
Find more tips on where to buy great bread and other baked goods in Prague in our dedicated guide:
If you’re interested in where the future of Czech grain might be heading, take a field trip to the country’s gene bank with us:
4) Farm produce and local food
Looking for something typically Czech to take home? Browse shops that specialise in products from small-scale producers and family farms.
- Moje Kredenc
One of the best addresses for anyone looking for Czech delicacies. You will find cheeses, charcuterie, honey, jams, syrups, flour, oils, and produce from dozens of family farms.
- Kunratická stodola
A shop specialising in seasonal fruit, vegetables, and products from Czech farmers. The selection changes throughout the year according to the season.
- Eska Letná
Besides bread and pastries, you can buy fermented products, preserves, flour, granola, and other products from local suppliers.
- Biskup
A modern food shop offering a carefully selected range of products from Czech producers, this is an ideal place to stock up on high-quality edible souvenirs. The shelves and counter are filled with fresh vegetables, fruit, poultry, milk, eggs, and herbs. You can also pick up sandwiches, salads, and fresh juices for the road.
If you get the chance to visit one of Prague’s farmers’ markets, don’t miss it. You’ll meet farmers, cheesemakers, bakers, and winemakers in person and get a much better sense of what contemporary Czech food culture is all about. Find our tips in this article:
5) Something sweet
And finally, you’ll need a sweet treat. For a place where you can enjoy a dessert and also pick up something to take home, head to Myšák. Alongside iconic Czech pastries and desserts, you’ll find decadent nut butters, chocolate, biscuits, and other products that make beautiful – and delicious – souvenirs from Prague.
Myšák: Pastry shops on both banks of the Vltava River
What should you bring home from Prague?
If you have a little room left in your suitcase, it is worth bringing home some of the following:
- Czech honey from local beekeepers
- jams and fruit syrups
- charcuterie
- farmhouse cheeses
- high-quality sourdough bread
- traditional Czech kolache
- specialty coffee from Prague roasters
- wine or beer
- locally-made granola or biscuits
