Seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh cheeses, meat and sausages, as well as herbs, pesto and even still-warm pastries – a walk through the city’s farmer's markets is fragrant, inspiring, and above all full of fresh and high-quality ingredients which make cooking a joy.

We aren’t just saying it — our chefs at Ambiente agree, and and are often found at the Holešovice Market or Prague's Náplavka stocking up on fresh produce.

Holešovice Market

The largest vegetable market in Prague! At least that’s how we’d describe the Holešovice Market, which is open every day except Sunday. Head to Hall 22, a mecca for anyone searching for fresh ingredients from small farmers or local producers.

It’s a spot that Marco Christov, the chef at La Degustation, has fallen in love with. For potatoes, onions, garlic or melons, he chooses Josef Buchal’s stall, and for wild garlic, other herbs and even rosehips, he’ll pay a visit to Monika Stejskała's stand.

In Hall 22, you might also bump into chef Martin Štangl, and members of his team from the tasting restaurant Štangl. Despite buying most of his raw ingredients directly from proven suppliers, first-time growers and farmers, he considers Ondřej Svoboda, who has three vegetable and fruit stalls in the Holešovice market, to be his saving grace. "If we can't find something, we turn to Ondřej and his many contacts" says Martin.

Náplavka Farmer's Market

If you find yourself in the centre of Prague on a Saturday, definitely head to the Náplavka Farmer's Market. Founded in 2009 by the Archetyp association, it was created as a space to champion produce from Czech family farms — and fifteen years later, the market is renowned as the perfect place to buy fresh vegetables, fruit and quality food.

Marco Christov, sous-chef at La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise, likes to go here in his free time. His favourite stops include the Krasolesí Dairy and Cheese Shop stand , which – as the name suggests – offers fresh and aged cheeses, curd, yoghurts and milk. For charcuterie and meat, he’ll head to the stand signed Řeznictví U Kvardů, "and for Opatovský bread, I go to the stall of the same name," he adds to the list of his favourites.

Searching for great horseradish, stoneground flour or poppy seeds? Take the advice of Blanka Datinská, editor of the Food and Joy blog, and stop by Luboš Žďárský's stand. For the perfect tomatoes visit Králíčkova Biozelenina, and Kozího statek Pod Křížkem stand is a must to sample products made from goat's milk and even Jersey cow’s milk.

Malostranské Farmers’ Market

We’re guessing that you’ve already heard of Hana Součková — and if not, you have now. The twenty-seven-year-old farmer delivers vegetables to renowned Prague establishments including U Kalendů,  Eska, Bistro Šodó and the tasting restaurant Štangl, offering classic ingredients such as potatoes and dill, as well as specialities like cilantro, romanesco cauliflower or edible flowers. You’ll find her stand at the Malostranské farmers’ market, or at the Pojizerské farmer's markets in Turnov.

Chodov

Smaller farmers' markets can also be found outside the centre, for example in Chodov. This part of Prague is home to Martin Čáslavkathe chef of Café Savoy. "While we order our vegetables directly from the greengrocer for work, I shop at the farmers' markets in Chodov for home," says Čáslavka, adding that in season there are twice a week and he mainly buys fresh vegetables and fruit.

You can also find smaller farmers' markets outside the city centre, for example in Chodov, the neighbourhood of Martin Čáslavka, chef at Café Savoy. "At work we order vegetables directly from the greengrocer, but at home I shop at the farmers' markets in Chodov," says Čáslavka, adding that they are held twice a week during the season and his favourite purchases are fresh vegetables and fruit.