Prague is one of the only cities in Central Europe to escape World War II undamaged and is famous worldwide for its unparalleled medieval architecture, bohemian flavour, and authentic, down-to-earth culture, with mobs of tourists invading central Prague ever year. Yet its cafes (‘Kavarna’ in Czech) are less known, outshone by nearby coffee powerhouses in Italy, Turkey, and even Austria. But cafe lovers take note: shuttered under the austerity of communism for half a century, in recent decades, Prague’s cafes dusted themselves off and have thrown their doors open again.

Though there are many newcomers, a handful of old gems have reopened as well. These Prague mainstays have an incredibly rich history, rivalled only by the likes of Parisian cafes such as Les Deux Magots or Café de Flores. Giants of history―Kafka, Einstein, Karl and Josef Capek, and the former Czech president Vaclav Havel, among others―talked, smoked, dined, and sipped coffee in these cafes during their heyday, from the late 19th century to the dawn of World War II. Though the golden era of Czech intelligentsia and literature has passed, you can relive the glory days at these historic cafes. Here are the top historic cafes to stop by while you’re in Prague.