| |
One of the best Italian restaurants in the city is tucked away in the residential neighbourhood of Vinohrady. A warm, natural atmosphere with a maternally attentive staff, it’s a great place to come when you’re famished. The portions are unbelievably generous considering the prices. Expect food like sea bass baked in sea salt and a three-pasta dish served with black truffles.
|
Owned by Borek Sipek, the official castle architect under Vaclav Havel. You will see why the former president, who once tried to make Frank Zappa the special ambassador to the West on trade, culture and tourism, was attracted to his zany artistic ways. Let’s just say the two have an artist’s eye, so don’t let the glass bathroom signs denoting the sexes disturb or surprise you. In addition to the sleek, funky surroundings, the food is perfect.
|
If you’re serious about fine dining, this place—featuring the 2002 Czech 'Chef of the Year’—is a must. Here you’ll find meat and seafood served to perfection. From tasteful interior design to fabulous culinary presentation, the restaurant is one of Prague’s finest.
|
Dating from 1902, this place has been everything: a stylish café, a billiard hall and then it was closed in 1948 by the Communists because it was too bourgeois. Reopened in 1992, it has made a comeback and is one of the best cafés and places to grab brunch in Prague. It’s a relaxed place to gain energy before a big day (or night) on the town, or simply a comfortable venue to have a coffee. Rumour has it that guests have included Albert Einstein and Franz Kafka.
|
There is always something relaxing about a restaurant where you can forego the menu and tell the owner to make what his heart desires. This is the case at Cicala which, while well tucked away, is still found by the determined, such as Hollywood celebrities Sean Connery and Matt Damon.
|
Calling all vegetarians! Head here for that no-nonsense, quick and healthy lunch. Cafeteria style, expect a salad bar as well as tasty veggie variations on pasta, soufflé, goulash and rice dishes. Also, there is a small market next door in case you would prefer to pick up a brick of tofu and cook your own meal in your Prague apartment.
|
Try this Turkish café for the hookahs. From apple tobacco and yogi tea to falafel, everything is here for you to fill your belly and enjoy the after-meal euphoria. Don’t be surprised on weekend evenings if you also have a belly dancer jingling her coin belt at your table.
|
This cosy Italian restaurant is absolutely dripping with style. Here the food is just as important as the wine that you order. Although the portions aren’t as large as in some of the other Italian restaurants in the city, the food’s quality easily makes up for this.
|
This place has the feel of a stylish retro hospital cafeteria, but with much better food and service. Staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, and they’ll leave you alone all day to drink coffee and read a book, if that’s what you want, without needlessly interrupting you or pressuring you to leave. Food is above standard and well priced. A great escape from the Prague streets on a rainy Saturday afternoon.
|
One of Prague’s finest dining experiences, no question about it. Attracting guests like Madeleine Albright, Michael Jackson, Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman and the Rolling Stones, the calibre of the food is just as impressive. Nowhere else in Prague will you find roasted roe deer saddle in rosemary crepes.
|
Anyone who knows good sushi in Prague knows to come here. The kin-chi, vegetarian maki and sushi platters are always delicious. From the service to the food, you won’t be disappointed.
|
A trendy place in the very hip Mala Strana, Cihelna is one of the most popular kids on the block. A moving bronze sculture of two men urinating—designed by local artist David Cerny—greets you upon entering this place but, rest assured, once inside the mood isn’t quite as uncouth. You will find a modern restaurant with a riverside view. Expect international and Czech dishes on the menu.
|
Not everything good comes perfectly packaged in Prague’s city centre— sometimes you do need to travel to get to it. Take-away Chinese food isn’t difficult to find, but authentic Chinese in decent surroundings is more challenging. A cheap taxi ride or an easy tram ride out of the centre, this restaurant is worth the trip.
|
This restaurant is a central favourite for coffee, wine or dinner. Although changes have occurred in the past few years, making prices noticeably higher and portions noticeably smaller, the recipes have remained the same so the food is still a sure bet. Choose from an expansive, more sophisticated, more expensive restaurant and a smaller, more intimate and cheaper offshoot next door.
|
The building that houses this brewpub dates back to the 1820s, when stamps were produced here. Today, the glue has dried and this Pilsner Urquell restaurant offers Czech pub food that is just as delicious as the world-renowned beer. Expect things like ostrich carpaccio, goose and Pilsner brewer turkey steak. Of course, salads and soups are available for those of the small beer-belly variety.
|
Although it once stood on its own, now this restaurant is housed in the Hotel Schwaiger. The [address] changed, but the quality of the food did not. This is the place to satisfy that craving for posh French food with dishes like fried veal sweetbread with foie gras on the menu.
|
A popular restaurant on the border of Vinohrady and Zizkov, Mozaika is a place where some people enjoy the international and experimental fare so much they dine alone, with only a magazine for company. Expect even a simple hamburger (served on spinach bread) to be worth talking about after you leave.
|
This restaurant is just as trustworthy as its owner, the Staropramen brewery group. It’s kind of a 'take off the tie and put on your jeans’ restaurant. When you come here, you’re in the mood for beer, chicken wings, big salads and meat. Easy, relaxed and central.
|
This place spices up the sometimes bland choices in the city. The ground-floor café is a casual place to have a drink. Upstairs you’ll find the restaurant, where the staff become like family and will feed you until you’re stuffed and chat with you until you’re tired. Expect traditional Indian food and expect it to be done well. Czechs have a very low threshold for spices, so don’t expect your eyes to water.
|
The ultimate in relaxation: Thai massage followed by a Thai meal. A mini Bangkok in the heart of Prague, this restaurant is out of sight from the street, so find the sign leading you to this no-frills establishment. Expect delicious—not to mention amazingly inexpensive—Thai food. Not a bad choice if you’re looking for light food to keep you chugging along through your busy day. Massages can be had next door.
|
If you can’t be in Thailand, you can surely take a break from the streets of Prague and eat Thai food. This restaurant offers the best Thai cooking in the city, with all the favourites from gai pad namman hoy to pad Thau hu thau ngok. You don’t have to know how to pronounce it, just eat and enjoy.
|
Despite the [name], the restaurant seems like it could be a touristy dump, but instead it is a local gem that won’t disappoint. Exquisite food, friendly staff and a playful interior design are what make this place one of the best in the city.
|
Located at the top of the Hotel InterContinental Praha, the Zlata offers quality international and Czech cuisine plus a bird’s eye view of the city. Arrive with an empty belly and a camera, which will both be full after you leave.
|
| |