The best coffee places to study
By Amira Nassar Aguilar, June 2024
After being here for almost three years, one of the things I have struggled with the most has been finding good cafes where they do not only offer a good atmosphere to chat but also to study when the library and computer centre are full during exam season. So I’m going to stop gatekeeping these jewels that are actually not that secret and share them with you.
- Podnebí
This is the café to go to if you are a student at FSS; not only is it perfectly closed from the faculty, but it’s also affordable and cosy. You can get a coffee from 50 Kč and the tables are close to the plugs and perfect for your laptop.
I once went very early in the morning and stayed there until the afternoon, I had a croissant, coffee and toast, all of it was under 200 kc and I got so much stuff done. It also closes until midnight which is very convenient if you prefer to study at night but don’t want to pull an all-nighter. Just be mindful that they sometimes close the café for special events!
2. Podnik
The location of this café is perfect and while is a little on the expensive side its matcha lattes and cakes are the best of the best. This coffee is quite busy and no wonder it’s one of the best so if you want to book a studying session reserve your table beforehand.
The terrace is the best to have a drink while enjoying a view of the Vegetable Square while still being calm enough to be away from the hectic environment of the centre. It closes until 10:00 pm which is perfect for studying. Every time I need a change of place, I go here, it’s the best and the waiters are the sweetest.
3. Mandlárna
Now we are slowly getting into the hidden gems. This café has two floors, in the lower part the internet is better, but there are fewer tables compared to the upper part so be prepared to be fully disconnected from the outside world. The matcha latte here is the best (If you haven’t noticed by now, I’m a matcha lover) and they always give a chocolate-covered almond with any hot drink you order.
4. Trojka
Apart from being a coffee place, it is also a bar where if you are lucky you might end up joining a random bachata session or joining their karaoke sessions which are so much fun, but…coming back to the main goal which is studying. The coffee here is really good and the chai as well (have not tried their matcha sadly), there’s from couches to tables where you can get work done very quickly. The atmosphere is cosy and the basement allows for another place to study in case you find the first floor distracting. They also close until midnight, which is amazing for night owls.
5. PF Café
Finally, my little jewel that nobody knows because it looks so small from the outside. This café has an amazing variety of sweets and drinks, the internet here is easily the best out of all this places (yes, even Podnebí), matcha is amazingly good and they have an amazing variety of places you can seat with plugs all over the place (even in the ceiling). There are tables big enough to book a group study session and small enough for a date! The waiters are the nicest and understanding, and they will always offer you the best with the most student-friendly out of all of these cafes.