Restaurant
Lokál Dlouhááá
A long, lively Old Town beer hall from the Ambiente group serving tank beer and well-made Czech pub classics such as fried cheese, schnitzel and sausages.
Kantýna
A busy butcher's shop and canteen near Wenceslas Square where Czech beef and pork are cooked over an open fire and served with beer at casual counters.
At a glance
- Type
- Butcher's canteen and grill
- Area
- Nové Město, Prague, Czech Republic
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Opening
- Open daily
- Official site
- kantyna.ambi.cz
Good to know
- Butcher shop
- Open-fire grill
- Tank beer
Why we recommend it
Kantýna is a combined butcher's shop and canteen run by Ambiente, and it has become one of the most popular places to eat meat in central Prague. It sits on Politických vězňů, just off the top of Wenceslas Square, with an informal, self-service feel. The concept is simple: Czech beef and pork, butchered in-house and cooked over an open fire, served with good beer and very little ceremony.
The heart of the place is the butcher's counter, where you can see the cuts on display, and the different counters where food is prepared and handed over. Expect steaks and other grilled cuts, roasted meats and simple butcher's dishes, with sides to match. The offer changes with what the butchers have prepared that day. Beer is poured from tanks, as at the group's Lokál pubs. Finding a spot at peak times can take a few minutes.
Ordering can be confusing on a first visit, because you collect food from different counters rather than sitting down and waiting for a server. If it is your first time, ask the staff how it works before you start ordering. The atmosphere is loud and cheerful, and it is a good choice for groups, meat lovers and anyone who wants a quick, filling meal without a long sit-down dinner. Vegetarians will find little to eat here.
Kantýna opens every day at 11:30 and closes at 23:00 from Monday to Saturday and at 22:00 on Sunday. Lunchtime and early evening are the busiest periods, so aim for mid-afternoon or later in the evening if you prefer a calmer visit. Prices are moderate for the quality of the meat, and you can also buy fresh cuts from the butcher's counter to take away, which is useful if you are staying in an apartment with a kitchen. Bring an appetite rather than a reservation, and be ready for a lively, noisy room.
The nearest metro stations are Muzeum on lines A and C and Můstek on lines A and B, both a short walk away. Wenceslas Square, the National Museum and the main railway station are all within ten minutes on foot, which makes Kantýna a practical stop before or after sightseeing in the New Town.
Kantýna FAQs
What are Kantýna's opening hours?
Daily from 11:30, closing at 23:00 from Monday to Saturday and at 22:00 on Sunday.
What is served at Kantýna?
Czech beef and pork cooked over an open fire and other butcher's dishes, with tank beer.
How does ordering work at Kantýna?
Food is collected from counters rather than served at the table. Ask the staff to explain the system on your first visit.
Do I need to book at Kantýna?
It works mainly on a walk-in basis, so expect to wait for a spot at peak times.
Is Kantýna good for vegetarians?
Not really. The menu is built around meat.
Can I buy meat to take away?
Yes. The butcher's counter sells fresh cuts.
When is Kantýna least busy?
Mid-afternoon and later in the evening are usually calmer than lunchtime and early evening.
How do I get to Kantýna?
Walk from Muzeum metro station on lines A and C or Můstek on lines A and B, near the top of Wenceslas Square.