Most people visiting Prague tick off the castle and Old Town - and they should. But Saturday morning at Náplavka is where locals actually spend their weekend, and very few tourists ever find their way there.
Chef Mariko - a Los Angeles culinary personality who spent years cooking privately for Hollywood's A-list before building one of Prague's most sought-after dining experiences - takes you through the market the way she shops it herself. That means knowing which vendors to seek out, which seasonal ingredients are worth the splurge this week, and which ones to taste before you ever reach the kitchen.
You'll wander the riverfront stalls as the market fills with Saturday energy: the smell of fresh bread, roasted coffee, and just-cut flowers. Sample oysters, local cheeses, cured meats, and seasonal produce. Pick up a spiced cider, a cappuccino, or a local craft beer from one of the vendors. Along the way, Mariko shares the stories behind what you're tasting - the producers, the traditions, and the ingredients that define Czech food culture. Spot something that catches your eye? Point it out - guests help choose the ingredients Mariko will use for the brunch.
The menu is never fixed in advance. You and Mariko shop what's beautiful that day, then decide together what you're cooking.
After the market, it's a short walk along the river to Mariko's light-filled 19th-century studio, tucked beneath the Vyšehrad fortress with views across the Vltava to Prague Castle. In summer, the terrace opens up. In winter, you settle into the warmth of an open kitchen that smells of herbs, espresso, and whatever sweet thing is already in the oven.
What follows is a hands-on cooking class and a long, relaxed brunch. Mariko guides you through the techniques - developed across 2,400+ culinary events and private kitchens on four continents - and makes them feel completely approachable. The menu shifts week to week but always includes a market charcuterie and cheese board, a freshly baked fruit clafoutis made from scratch, and a full brunch of farm eggs, local meats, seasonal produce, and warm bread with house-made jams and pestos.
Prosecco flows throughout. Espresso drinks, artisan teas, and craft zero-proof options are available from arrival through the final course.
By the time you sit down to eat, you've seen a side of Prague most visitors never do, learned techniques you'll actually use at home, and shared a morning with Mariko and a small group of fellow travelers from around the world. It's an eventful morning that somehow still feels like the most relaxed part of your trip.
Guests consistently call it the highlight of their time in Prague.
