Best of Prague’s summer food festivals

Foodies rejoice! As the temperature heats up on the cobbled streets of Prague so does its culinary scene. Loosen your belt and get ready for a delicious summer in the City of a Hundred Spires as it turns into a mecca of food festivals. Selling everything from Philly cheesesteaks, to artisan ice cream and new phenomenon raw food, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Here’s our roundup of the best of Prague's summer food festivals.

Every weekend from the 11^th May, you’ll only want to eat at one place – Art & Food ZOOna festival. Making its home next to the Zoological Gardens and Troja Castle in the courtyard of the former Troja brewery, the event prides itself on serving up quality gastronomy blends alongside culture, entertainment and art. Grab a cocktail or specialty wine, take your pick from the multitude of both international and local food options and relax for the evening, watching the sun dip into the nearby Vltava river. An ideal place to fill your stomachs while experiencing some of the local culture, this festival is a must when visiting Prague in the summertime. 

Parukarka park at Vrch not only has some of the best views but is also home to one of the biggest beer festivals in the city. Every summer mini breweries travel from all over Czech Republic to showcase their products to an eager crowd. Featuring over 50 different kinds of beers from 40 selected micro-breweries, you can try an array of wheat, draft, herbal and yeast beers over the course of the day. Promoting an environmentally friendly attitude, the festival encourages you to bring your own cup or buy one of the official mini brewery reusable cups at one of the stands when you get there. A surprisingly family-friendly event, there’s plenty of alcohol free options for the non-drinkers among us. 

You heard it right! A whole day dedicated to appreciating the designated dessert of summer exists and you can find it sitting in the middle of Prague. On June 2^nd, head to Vystaviste Holesovice where creators from all over the country as well as from Slovakia, Poland and Austria, gather to exhibit their artisan ice cream. Whether its soft ice, sorbets, frozen yoghurt, vegan options or organic traditional flavours you’re after, this festival is guaranteed to have it in some shape or form. The festival donates part of their earnings to Kapka nadeje, a local charity, so you can indulge to your heart’s content knowing you’re contributing to a good cause. 

Organised by Cross Club, a local music venue in the city, the Raw Food festival was set up with the aim of promoting the lifestyle and its benefits. Hosted annually on August 3^rd, the event is free to enter and has a series of workshops, interesting presentations, cooking demonstrations, yoga sessions, music and an overall cool ambiance. The idea being to encourage festival goers to experience the flavours and healing essences of the specialised diet, Raw Food festival attracts thousands each year and is the one of the largest of its kind in the world. Well worth a visit, this is definitely deserving of a place on the list as one of Prague’s best summer food festivals. 

Grab a basket and blanket and head to Strelecky ostrov for an afternoon of good food in the sun. The annual picnic festival takes place on the small island underneath the Legion bridge and is the perfect setting for a romantic date or catch up with friends. Bursting with food stalls from all over the globe, it won’t be long before you’re nestled on a rug tucking into your favourite food. Mingle with the locals and prepare for lots of good music from a range of artists as well as interactive workshops throughout the day. 

For three days in May, experience the highest gastronomy from Czech chefs and restaurants, at affordable prices. Running since 2006, the Prague Food Festival has prided itself on delivering the best of the local culinary scene and creating the ultimate foodie experience. Watch your favourite dishes being prepared from start to finish and indulge in marvellous flavours for a fraction of the price of restaurant dining. As one of the pinnacles of the Czech gastronomic calendar, the festival is both a culinary and cultural experience not to be missed.

Heading to Prague this summer? Make sure to tag us in your photos of the best of Prague’s summer food festivals, using the hashtag #ryanairstories – you might even be featured on Ryanair’s Instagram feed.

Flights to Prague

- Lucy Norris