This guide is designed to help you navigate the city’s food scene without breaking the bank. If you want to eat in Prague with extreme budget strategies, you need to move beyond typical tourist restaurants and use the same hacks locals use to save money.
Hack 1: Zero-Waste Savings (Surprise Bag Apps)
The most effective way to eat in Prague with extreme budget constraints is by using “surplus food” apps. Too Good To Go (TGTG) and Nesnězeno (which translates to “uneaten”) allow you to buy high-quality food that businesses didn’t sell by the end of the day.
- How it works: Restaurants, bakeries, and hotels list “Surprise Bags” at a 50% to 70% discount.
- The Surprise: You don’t know exactly what you’ll get—it could be a pile of fresh croissants, a gourmet sandwich, or a full pasta dish.
- Timing: Most offers appear in the afternoon or evening. You must be ready to pick them up during a specific, often short, time window.
- The Tip: Check both apps frequently. They partner with different vendors, giving you more variety for a cheap dinner.
Eat in Prague with Extreme Budget Hack 2: Warehouse Canteens (Globus & IKEA)
For the cheapest sit-down meals, head to the outskirts. Large retail warehouses run massive canteens (called Restaurace) that offer honest food at local prices.
- Globus Hypermarket: Their in-house restaurant serves traditional Czech Hotovky (ready-made meals). You can find main dishes starting between 100–140 CZK.
- IKEA Restaurant: Famous for its affordability, you can grab a quick breakfast or a hot dog for under 25 CZK. A full lunch usually ranges from 150–250 CZK.
- The Catch: These locations are usually in suburban shopping zones. However, the savings often justify the 20-minute metro or bus ride, and you can stock up on cheap groceries while you’re there.
Secret to Eat in Prague With Extreme Budget 3: Student Canteens (Menza) Open to All
University canteens, known as a Menza, are the ultimate “hidden in plain sight” secret to eat in Prague with extreme budget limits. While they primarily serve students, most are open to the general public at a slightly higher “external” rate.
- Why they are cheap: Even the public price is a bargain. Main dishes typically cost 100–160 CZK, and soups are often under 30 CZK.
- How to pay: Most Menzas now accept standard credit or debit cards.
- Where to go: Look for Menza ČVUT (Technical University) or Menza UK (Charles University) on Google Maps. The best time to visit is during peak lunch hours (11:00 AM – 2:00 PM).
Hack 4: The Delivery App “First Order” Stack
Delivery apps like Foodora and Wolt are usually pricey, but you can manipulate their promotions to get a nearly free meal.
- Look for ‘Deals’: Check the Slevy (Discounts) section for restaurants offering 10% to 40% off.
- The New User Code: This is the most powerful hack. If you use a new phone number or account, you can apply a “first-time user” promo code (often worth 150–200 CZK).
- The Strategy: Find a restaurant already offering a 30% discount, then apply your new user credit on top of it. This allows you to eat in Prague with extreme budget efficiency, sometimes paying only a few crowns for a premium meal.
Note: This specific “stacking” trick usually only works once per account/phone number, so save it for a day when you really want a treat.
