The Non-Cliché Cafe

If you were to ask any college or grad student where a majority of work is done, a coffeehouse or cafe would be the clear cut answer. Back in Selinsgrove, the best place to study is the Kind Cafe. I am such a regular that one Tuesday morning, I walked in with a friend and the owner already popped a bagel in the toaster for me.

Fast forward to Prague, where the streets are littered with coffeehouses. I’ve visited a few and they are quite good, but I’ve learned I’m not a European coffee fan. I had to find something to fill my coffee craving. My father recommended a cafe called Cafe Cosmai, which upon entering gave me a “grandparent’s house” feel. After sipping on a chai latte, which might I add is absolutely fabulous there, I was sold. This place has became my new favorite place, the Prague version of Kind cafe.

If you as “viewers” are questioning my taste in cafes, just take a look at some of the desserts as well as my regular chai.

Shown above (in order) there is pear cake, apple pie, chocolate coconut cake, and berry pie.

While this place may just seem like a place where my sweet-tooth craving is satisfied, I have watched and learned about Czech culture. A great way of multi-tasking in my opinion. I have listened in on some conversations to try to test my knowledge of Czech. I have been starting to pick up some pieces and understanding some key words. The woman who runs this place has been helping me practice by assisting me in ordering, asking questions, and paying, all in Czech. I have been able to watch and learn common social cues and ways of interaction without seeming like a “loud & proud tourist”.

While in Prague, I do encourage people to come try out this cafe! Even if you do not, just try sitting in a real Czech cafe. Sip on coffee while watching the locals come and go. I promise that an experience like this will give you a better feel of what Prague is actually like rather than how tourists change and portray it.