Cantina nábřeží — Restaurant in Prague

A Hidden Gem in Náplavka: Exceptional Food and Outstanding Service

I recently had the pleasure of dining at a fantastic Mexican restaurant in Náplavka, Prague, and it was an experience worth raving about. Nestled along the riverbank, this vibrant eatery immediately sets the mood with its warm and colorful décor. The ambiance feels authentically Mexican, from the lively music to the rustic wooden tables adorned with bright accents. But what truly elevated my visit was the exceptional service, especially from our server, Anna.

From the moment we were greeted, Anna’s welcoming smile and cheerful demeanor made us feel right at home. She was attentive without being overbearing, striking the perfect balance between professionalism and friendliness. Her knowledge of the menu was impressive, and her genuine enthusiasm for the dishes she recommended was contagious. I appreciated how she took the time to explain the ingredients, flavors, and even the origins of certain recipes.

We started our meal with the guacamole and freshly made tortilla chips. The guacamole was creamy, zesty, and perfectly seasoned, and Anna made sure we always had warm chips to accompany it. For our main course, we opted for the carnitas tacos and the chicken enchiladas. The carnitas were absolutely divine—tender, flavorful, and complemented by tangy pickled onions and a squeeze of fresh lime. The enchiladas, smothered in a rich and smoky red sauce, were equally impressive. Every bite transported us straight to the heart of Mexico.

At Anna’s recommendation, we also tried the house special—chile relleno. It was a delightful surprise, with its crispy exterior, gooey cheese filling, and just the right amount of spice. She even suggested a pairing with one of their margaritas, and I must say, it was the best margarita I’ve ever had in Prague. The blend of tequila, fresh lime juice, and a hint of agave nectar was perfectly balanced.

What really stood out was Anna’s ability to anticipate our needs. She noticed when our drinks were running low and offered suggestions for desserts at just the right time. Speaking of desserts, the churros with chocolate sauce were an absolute must-try. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and paired with a rich, velvety chocolate dip—it was the perfect way to end the meal.

The overall experience felt like more than just dining out; it was a celebration of Mexican culture, cuisine, and hospitality. Anna’s energy and passion for her work were evident in every interaction, and she truly made our visit unforgettable.

If you’re in Prague and looking for a standout dining experience, make your way to this Mexican restaurant in Náplavka. The food is authentic, the atmosphere is vibrant, and if you’re lucky enough to have Anna as your server, you’re in for an exceptional evening. I can’t recommend this place enough—I’ll definitely be...

Be wary of this place. It is a SCAM. As mentioned in previous reviews, this place only accepts cash, but conveniently has an ATM inside the restaurant. This ATM will charge you an insane amount of money for withdrawal. And NO - this is NOT NORMAL as the owner of the restaurant is trying to convince you in the replies of the reviews that mention it. I am a local, I have lived in Prague my whole life and this is definitely NOT WHAT WE DO HERE. It is a typical scam practice. Normal is to go to a restaurant and pay with your card as well as it is normal for most big cities in Europe. In case the restaurant, pub or café doesn't accept card, the staff will navigate you to a proper ATM, which doesn't charge you such a high amount for a withdrawal, although you may encounter a small tax depending on your bank's terms. Some cash-only restaurants let you pay via QR code. The staff of this restaurant conveniently doesn't inform you about other ATMs in the area that will not charge you for withdrawal.

Additionally the food has nothing in common with Mexican cuisine. We ordered Enchiladas de Res and we got without a doubt Rajská (traditional Czech sauce). You can visit Hospůdka v Podskalí (just around a corner from Cantina), Lokál or any other Czech cuisine restaurant for Rajská. If you are in mood for a Mexican food while in Prague, I would recommend Las Adelitas (traditional restaurant) or Burrito Loco (fast-food concept). You will taste much more Mexico for much less money.

Although the prices are not excusable for the food you get, they are excusable for the location, so I will keep that one off the table. Unfortunately I expected a certain approach from the staff while paying this kind of money and I shouldn't have. They were inattentive, ignored us for the most parts and kicked us out well before closing time while wearing their coats leaving no doubt about who should serve to whom.

The drinks were quite tasty though, although you can get as tasty drinks for this price someplace else and you won't support a scamish business. I also liked the ambiance and decor of the restaurant, which was quite unique for...

As a Californian who grew up on good Mexican food, this is exactly what you are worried a Mexican restaurant in Prague will taste like.

I got the enchiladas. $20 dish (400czk), no Mexican rice, no refried beans, no guacamole, just chopped tomatoes and a bathtub of sour cream on the side. The enchilada sauce was basically pure tomato sauce, the whole thing was served in a bowl and the flavor profile reminded me more of goulash or lasagna. I'm not sure there's actually a Latino in the kitchen.

Oh, also, a burrito here is like 400 czk, and small! Twice as expensive as back home, and while the beef is tender it is not spiced or marinated at all like it should be. Oh and $5 coronas lol.

The only part of this restaurant that reminded me of home was the decor and ambiance. Solid work by the decorator, playlist is every popular Latin-x song you've heard before.

If you're craving real Mexican, and you wanted to find out if the world has really gotten smaller... Well, don't count on this place to surprise you.

Edit: you can tell from the owners response that they are not interested in meaningful feedback or actually improving, they are just defensive.

But for the record, 400 czk for a small. Burrito (they call it XXL? 😂) is about $20 us, and half that is $10, not $5 like they say... And yes, you can get a MUCH larger burrito in the most expensive cities in America for $10. $20 is absolutely overpriced, even if it tasted amazing. And you don't include any of the sides that come with every entree in every Mexican restaurant, you have to order them each separately, for 50-60 czk each. So a PROPER Mexican entree from this restaurant will run you something like 600 czk for a single plate. What a joke.

Also, the reason I didn't comment on the beef in the enchiladas is because, like the burrito, it was bland and flavorless, missing the flavor that comes from proper slow cooking with the cuisines spice profile. And the fact that enchilada contained NOTHING but this beef, and tomato sauce, with a small amount of something like cojita cheese is...