Written by: Sundus Sinkler
Posted on: October 18, 2019 | 
| 中文
Thai Basil Chicken (Photo credits to the writer)
A new addition to Karachi, Caffe Praha is a small, cozy café that offers a pleasant, lively ambience. It is located on the same street as the well-established Vintage Café, on Khayaban-e-Seher in Defence. But this place stands out, as it pays tribute to the street cafes in Prague, Czech Republic. We decided to give the place a try after hearing some good reviews, and I have to say that we were not left disappointed by our visit.
Caffe Praha's Interior (Photo credits to the writer)
We decided to go for lunch, and found the place surprisingly busy for a weekday. However, despite requesting quick service, we were disappointed at how long it took them to serve our food (35-40 minutes), and the coffee requested at the start of our meal, was also served late and only came with the lunch! With a not-so-pleasant start, we were not expecting things to improve so quickly. However, we were happy to be proven wrong! The quality of the food more than made up for the slow service.
Pasta Salad (Photo credits to the writer)
Starting off with lunch appetizers, we ordered the Pasta Salad. Not only was this a beautiful looking salad, but it was a perfect fusion of prawns and noodles, mixed with a sweet and sour dressing. Priced at Rs. 695, we absolutely loved it!
For the main courses, we decided on Thai Basil Chicken (Rs. 795) and the Crispy Beef Bowl (Rs. 995), both of which were a treat for our taste buds. The chicken strips were cooked in a spicy basil sauce, and were served with rice on the side, and a fried egg on top. This made for a wonderful combination, with just the perfect kick of spice. The beef bowl was another hit, as the meat was very tender and juicy. It was cooked in a mild but flavorful sauce, with a garnishing of sesame seeds, and garlic rice on the side. The serving sizes were perfect, and left us happy with our choices.
We really wanted to try the chef’s highly recommended Signature Chimney, which we ordered in Praha’s Original Chicken flavor. This was a chimney-shaped pastry, stuffed with grilled chicken pieces and herbed pesto sauce till it overflowed. Priced at Rs. 815, this dish was a winner in terms of its taste, as well as its uniqueness. Served with French fries, this dish is highly recommended for all who wish to visit the café. However, keep in mind that they only serve their Chimney dishes after 4 p.m., so I basically went back one evening to try that specialty.
Caffe Praha's Signature Chimney (Photo credits to Caffe Praha on Facebook)
Compared to the food, the drinks were quite average. The Rose Spanish Latte (Rs. 545) was an average, mild-tasting drink, that can easily be overlooked. The Hazelnut Frappe (Rs. 435) was a decent coffee, but not the best. The real winner, and the one which did justice to the price paid for it, was the Secret Mocha Frappe (Rs. 485). It was just the perfect balance of milk and coffee, with a sufficiently strong mocha flavor.
Apple Cinnamon French Toast (Photo credits to the writer)
After a great experience with lunch, we decided to end on a sweet note. We ordered their Apple Cinnamon French Toast (Rs. 535), which was undoubtedly the best French Toast I have had in Karachi. After trying almost every eatery that is famous for its French toasts, I can safely say this place has nailed it, in terms of flavor. With a soft, gooey and rich piece of toast, made perfectly crisp on the outside and moist on the inside. It is topped with a generous amount of whipped cream, and enough cinnamon and apple pieces to satisfy one’s craving. This one was a super-hit for all of us! We also ordered the Tres Leches, priced at Rs. 495, and while this was a good dessert, I cannot say it was extraordinary, especially when compared to the French Toast.
Overall, this café does justice not just to the picturesque streets of Prague, but also the food scene of Karachi. It captures the essence of the colorful and diverse dishes of both cities in one enchanting eatery. I would recommend it to anyone in search of consistently delicious food and a vibrant ambiance.
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