Meals

A canteen is a place you are certain to visit quite early after commencing your studies. Students in our Faculty can use all Charles University canteens, but you can also open another account for other universities’ canteens (for example, the Horská facility in a street of the same name, managed by the CTU). A list of all CU canteens is available at https://kam.cuni.cz/KAMEN-70.html.

The dining facilities closest to our Faculty are the Budeč Student Canteen and the Albertov serving point. The Albertov serving point is open from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Monday–Thursday) and from 11:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. (Friday). The Budeč Student Canteen is open from 10:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. (Monday–Thursday) and from 10:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Friday). Opening hours at other university dining facilities vary. An up-to-date overview can be found on the website of the Dormitories and Canteens Administration. To pay for meals in university canteens (as well as at dormitory reception desks and certain other university facilities), you use a special account linked to your student ID card, which functions as a payment card. During your first visit to a canteen, you can set up this account at the cashier by depositing money into it. You will be assigned a user number and password for the meal-ordering system and will be able to purchase meals immediately. A standard meal usually consists of a main course and tea. You can also purchase additional items separately, such as soup, salad, ice cream, a baguette, soft drinks, or dessert. The price of a main course varies depending on the meal selected, but for students it typically ranges from CZK 74 to CZK 133.

There are usually five meal options available each day. You can order your meal in advance either online after logging into the meal-ordering system or through the self-service terminals located in the canteens. If you do not place an order in advance, that is usually not a problem—you can simply choose a meal on site. This applies to most university canteens. However, due to the limited capacity of the Albertov serving point, we recommend ordering your meal in advance. While shortages are no longer as common as they used to be, they can still occasionally occur. If you order a meal and do not collect it, the payment is forfeited. However, before the collection deadline, you can offer the meal on the online “meal exchange” available through the ordering system, allowing another student to take it over. You may also request a different side dish with your main meal or have your meal packed into a takeaway container. In addition, students may purchase more than one meal per day at the subsidized student price.

A diet canteen for CU students operates in the Prague Municipal Policlinic building at Spálená 12, Praha 1 

In addition to the university canteens, you can have lunch at the student club Mrtvá ryba, located in the Botanical Garden, or at one of the many restaurants near the Faculty.

For lighter refreshments, several options are available directly in Faculty buildings: Golda Bistro, located in the Chemical Section building (Hlavova 8, basement), offers a range of snacks and light meals at student-friendly prices. The buffet in the Albertov 6 building, currently operated by Živina Bistro. FAIR FOOD CLUB, the cafeteria of the First Faculty of Medicine, located at U Nemocnice 4 in the courtyard section of the building These venues provide convenient alternatives for meals, snacks, and drinks throughout the day.

The final option is to bring your own food from home. However, please note that some kitchenettes are reserved exclusively for staff members of the departments and institutes.

The following public microwave ovens (and electric kettles) are available for use by everyone in Faculty buildings, including both students and staff:

• Albertov – 2nd floor, next to the lift

• Benátská – tea kitchen close to B12, 1st mezzanine

• Hlavova – the Chladič student club, ground floor

• Viničná 7 – Biology Library, 1st floor + public kitchens 237, 250, 318 and 336