There is a long tradition of sweet shops, or cukrárny, in Prague, and there’s no shortage of places to forget your calorie-counting and indulge in a taste of the local culture as well as find excellent versions of your favorite sweet craving. ovocný světozor Vodičkova 39, Praha 1 – New Town, ovocnysvetozor.cz An inexpensive local favorite. On a warm day, you’ll have to wait in line here for takeaway ice-cream cones, and even the inside is popular year-round for its various cream-filled concoctions, open-faced sandwiches and towering cakes; it’s not uncommon to see people tucking into desserts here first thing in the morning – and really, why not? There are several outlets, but the most central (and busiest) is in the Světozor passage just off Wenceslas Square. Get a treat to go and enjoy it on the famous square or in the nearby Františkánská garden. ovocny-svetozor cukrárna alchymista Jana Zajíce 7, Praha 7 – Bubeneč, alchymista.cz Up in Prague 7 close to Letná Park and Stromovka Park, and just behind the Sparta Stadium, awaits this little oasis, decked out like in whimsical antiques and wooden accents and boasting one of the city’s most magical little gardens out back. In addition to some killer coffees and cakes, Alchymista also has a regular program of cool events. alchymista erhartova cukrárna Milady Horákové 56, Praha 7 – Holešovice Vinohradská 125, Praha 3 – Vinohrady, erhartovacukrarna.cz This very cool, retro bakery and café – with one in Vinohrady and one in Letná – has a tradition dating back to 1937. The two locations’ onsite bakeries prepare a vast number of cakes and desserts each day, available whole or by the slice, and also specialize in cake orders for pickup and delivery. Try some favorites based on Czech and Italian recipes, like the local větrník (a giant profiterole-like pastry) or kremrole, puff-pastry rolls filled with meringue. erhart cukrkávalimonáda Lázeňská 7, Praha 1 – Lesser Town, cukrkavalimonada.com Tucked away in a picturesque corner of Malá Strana just minutes from Charles Bridge, this stylish café/bistro (named after a Czech nursery rhyme that translates to “sugar, coffee, lemonade”) has it all: Cozy but sophisticated décor, pleasant service, and some of the best desserts, simple salads and pastas this side of town. We recommend avoiding the extremely busy lunch hour and instead stopping by for a sweet afternoon coffee break when sightseeing. cukrkávalimonáda pekárna kabát pekarnakabat.cz Ignore the fact that most locations of this bakery are holes-in-the-wall around the city and step up to order the traditional Moravský koláč (in various flavors) for mere pennies. A good option for a quick snack on the go, the not-so-small but utterly delicious koláč can be extremely addictive. pekarna-kabat myšák sweet shop Vodičkova 31, Praha 1 – New Town, mysak.ambi.cz Established as early as 1904, this confectionary was considered among the best in Europe and was a sought-after one by many Czech celebrities. It was reopened in 2008 and you can witness what the original interior looked like thanks to the careful reconstruction. It also carries on the tradition of František Myšák’s sweet shop and his pastrymaking skills offering gourmet coffee, classic Czech pastries, cakes, and sundaes. Zdroj: cukrárna myšák u knoflíčků Újezd 412, Praha 1 – Lesser Town, uknoflicku.cz The House ‘At the Little Buttons’ in Malá Strana houses not only the platform for the funicular railway to Petřín hill, but also the chance to take a seat in a lovely candy store. Come to enjoy the excellent coffee or hot chocolate and to go with it, a rich selection of cakes, desserts and other delicacies. u-knoflicku gingerbread museum / perníčkův sen Nerudova 9, Praha 1 – Lesser Town, gingerbreadmuseum.cz Haštalská 757, Praha 1 – Old Town, pernickuvsen.cz Baking and decorating of gingerbread belongs to treasured traditions among most Czech families. If you will like to taste this delicacy or to buy it, visit these sites – in the Museum, all the gingerbread pieces on offer are handmade; in the Perníčkův sen shop you will find gingerbread of various shapes, tastes and scents – with almonds, nuts, chocolate, plum jam, lemon icing and lots of other gingerbread goodies. pernickuv-sen