Prague Shopping Guide

Prague has long been known for its garnet, Bohemian crystal, textiles, ceramics, wooden toys and antikvariat, stores that specialize in antique books, engravings and stamps. Since the Velvet Revolution, however, the city has also gained notoriety for its innovative design. Parízská Street, in the Jewish Quarter, is ideal for luxury shoppers, as the avenue is lined with high-end international brands, such as Cartier, Dior and Louis Vuitton. Smaller boutiques featuring local designers can be found on the narrower nearby streets, and others off the busy Wenscelas Square. Below is Indagare’s guide to the top shops in the city.

Design, Glasswork and Home Décor

Artěl (Celetna 29, Staré Mesto): Led by American expat Karen Feldman, Artěl is one of Prague’s most beautiful stores for glass, jewelry and more. Feldman launched her line of handmade crystal glassware in the 1990s, and her inspired collections are a stunning blend of modern design and traditional craftsmanship (the glasses are mouth-blown and decorated by hand in the Czech Republic). A second branch is located at U Lužíchého semiáré 7.

De Fakto (Vinohradská 283/52, Staré Mesto): Famous for its sleek interiors, this design firm also makes furniture, lighting and housewares. There’s a sensuous space-age quality to their work, and the showroom is worth a look for design aficionados.

Deelive (Smetanovo nábř. 334/4, Staré Mesto): Close to the river, this 2,000-square-foot showroom features modern glassware by Dechem, jewelry by designer Hana Polívková (who has her studio upstairs), soft leather backpacks by Ether and bamboo charcoal soaps and serums by Ushuaya.

Kubista (Ovocny Trh 19, Staré Mesto): Specializing in Cubist design, this gallery is located in a city landmark, the Black Madonna House, which was built as a department store in 1911 and now contains the small Museum of Czech Cubism. The boutique features original and reproduction Cubist-era furniture, objects and books.

Modernista (Náměstí Republiky 5, Staré Mesto): Located in the Municipal House, this gallery is a fantastic resource for 20th-century Czech design. There are multiple locations in Prague, but this is the largest, selling everything from Art Deco and Bauhaus furniture to contemporary lamps, ceramics, jewelry and prints.

Moser (Černá růže, Na Příkopě 853/12, Nové Mesto): Dating back to 1857 and based out of Karlovy Vary in the western Czech Republic, Moser is often referred to as “the king of glass and the glass of kings,” since its pieces have been acquired by many royals around the world, including the Austrian court. At its Prague flagship, alongside bowls and glasses, the colorful collection stands out for its bold design.

Preciosa (Rytířská 536/29, Staré Mesto): Preciosa produces gorgeous chandeliers and lighting fixtures. Its Maria Theresa chandelier was first created in 1724, but some of the brand’s more contemporary styles can be found in luxury hotels across the globe.

Fashion

Gallery Novesta (Elišky Krásnohorské 9, Staré Mesto): Tucked away along Elisky Krasnohorske Street in the Jewish Quarter, Gallery Novesta houses more than 30 Czech and Slovak fashion labels, along with its namesake Novesta canvas and rubber sneakers. 

Hana Havelková (Dusni 10, Staré Mesto): Award-winning designer Hana Havelková creates and sells her chic and wearable women’s line in this charming boutique.

IF (Mezibranská 9, Nové Mesto): Known for her one-of-a-kind silk designs, from evening dresses to suits, Prague native Ivana Follová prefers to work directly with clients on custom pieces, but you can still pick up items from her various shops, including an art gallery-cum-boutique where she also carries jewelry, purses and ceramics by local artists.

Klara Nademlýnská (Dlouhá 3, Staré Mesto): A Prague native who apprenticed in Paris, Nademlýnská launched her ready-to-wear collection and first boutique in the 1990s. Her feminine, power-dressing clothes are a staple of Czech fashion magazines, and her necklaces, which often incorporate leather and large beads, are lovely.

Tatiana Kováříková (Dusní 1, Staré Mesto): Designer Kováříková started her namesake label in 1995, and since then, she has become famous for her statement-making suits. The clothing’s high-drama quality may be why various Czech pop singers have hired Tatiana to design their costumes.

Timoure et Group (V Kolkovne 6, Staré Mesto): Alexandra Pavalova and Ivana Safrankova are the creative masterminds behind this modern showroom whose sleek design is the perfect backdrop for their feminine fashion. That both women are graduates of the School of Applied Art can be seen in their collections’ bold mix of cutting-edge and wearable designs; you will find everything here from frilly, colorful dresses to serious business ensembles in subtle hues.

VICI Fashion (Vězeňská 115/3, Staré Mesto): This high-fashion shop features beautiful and creative women’s wear, from dresses and jackets to shoes and accessories.

Local Treasures

Antikvariát Karel Křenek (Národní 116/20, Nové Mesto): The tradition of Prague’s antikvariat dates back centuries, and this boutique is a prime example, offering antique books, maps, prints and stamps.

Lipa (Malé nám. 4/10, Staré Mesto): For Czech-made gifts and souvenirs, visit pint-sized Lipa, where the selection includes jams, chocolates, children’s toys, porcelain plates and linen placemats with leaf motifs (“lipa” means “linden tree,” the country’s national tree, in Czech).

Manufaktura (Multiple Locations): This Czech company makes all-natural soaps and bath products and sells them in its charming boutiques throughout the city, which also display the works of traditional Moravian and Czech artisans.

Papelote (Vojtesska 9, Nové Mesto): The young Czech designer behind this paper shop has an eye for style and creates lovely, one-of-a-kind notebooks, binders and other paper goods. A visit to the colorful store is like stepping into a candy shop.