Just returned from Prague. Must recommend the Lida Guesthouse. Amazing place with incredibly helpful people running it.
Restaurants costly? Not if you get out of the center just 10 minutes. The neighborhood around the Lida Guesthouse was loaded with wonderful, local retaurants that never cost us more than $30.00 for two people. Our favorite was Negative. It is easy to reach, even if you are staying in the center of Prague. You could take a 15 minute walk along the river (see the Dancing House, Cubist houses, and some great Art Deco buildings). Or you can reach this restaurant by taking the tram #17 from the center of Prague and getting off at the first stop after the tunnel under Vysehrad (less than 10 min.). Negativ is across from the yacht club. It is filled with locals, and the wait staff speaks excellent English and seemed interested in speaking with us. We had wonderfully prepared fish and meat, beer, and salad and for two people the bill was about $30.00.
Rick Steves recommends getting to St. Vitus early and that is a must do. We were among the first through the door and there was still incense wafting above the floor. It was quiet and magical. I would skip the palace ticket-not really worth the cost or time. Better to spend your time wandering the lovely gardens and streets down to Little Quarter and end up at Wallenstein Palace. It was open and a real treat.
Blacklight Theatre-a real disappointment. Rick hints that these are not what they used to be and we wonder if they have completely lost their way. Quite expensive too.
If you are touring the Jewish Quarter- make the Spanish Synagogue a priority-it is like being inside a jewel-box.