Prague Restaurants

Our personal experience was that Prague restaurants were not very memorable. However, Steve may be on to something. Didn't eat there.

We finally gave up on getting really good food in Prague, probably due in part to our ignorance of where to go. We'd already been to Salzburg and Vienna and may have already been spoiled by the food there. The small hotels in Salzburg and the restaurants in or near the Naschmarkt in Vienna were pretty good. We were pleasantly surprised by both. For example, ghoulash in Prague was in no way even close to the taste and quality we got for the same meal in the Naschmarkt in Vienna or the Hotel Goldenen Ente in Salzburg.

Good news for you on the beer request, though. We heard prior to our trip that Czech beer was some of the best in Europe. Would not disagree now. Suggest you try something called "Svetle". As I understand, it's the term Czechs use to refer to "light" beer. We found it delightful. No aftertaste. Very smooth, as a rule. I liked a brand called Kozel. Kozel also makes a dark beer that some other Americans we met on the train to Prague were already familiar with. Not bitter at all. Another brand to try is Staropramen. Both should be readily available in most markets.

Are you flying directly into Prague, or traveling from another location? One thing to remember, if you've already been other places on your trip to the west. The Czech Republic was behind the curtain for a lot of years. In many ways, they're still paranoid. Smiles aren't always as freely matched as in the "West". Suggest you embrace the residents and culture and respect the history.

If you're looking for a place to stay, I can recommend where we stayed. Nice apartment and attentive management. Decent location.

Dave

You might try the Klub Architektu

http://www.prague-life.com/eat/restaurants_details/66-Klub_Architektu

Cheers
Alan

I would also suggest restaurant U Cisaru. But this one was on Loretanska close to Prague Castle. We celebrated birthday and had a pheasant and a bottle of South Moravian Gewurztraminer in Czech called Tramin. Pheasant was OK but the wine was absolutely excellent, the best Gewurztraminer I ever drank. No wonder, the bottle cost 890 crowns. Generally in Prague if you eat in touristy area the food is overpriced and far from the best. It doesn't have to be the best. Tourists will always come. The menu is in several languages. If you want good price and really good food go where locals go. Food has to be good. Locals wouldn't come again. I had very good goulash U Palivce (neighborhood Zizkov), very good svickova Pod marianskym obrazem (neighborhood Vinohrady). Ask locals for recommendation. The beers I like the best is famous Pilsner Urquell from Pilsen (in Czech Plzen) and Bernard from small town Humpolec. They have special bitter taste from Zatec (Saaz) hops.

"Czech ambience (whatever that is)" That would be copious amounts of second hand cigarette smoke. Restaurant U Medvidku would fit the bill nicely (don't remember the address, try google).

Try Restaurant Medveku, it is also a hotel. It has been in existence for a long time and has a history in Prague. My husband got the Stroganoff and it was delicious. The Pork Knuckle looked to die for and those were coming out of the kitchen pretty regularly - very popular.

They brew the 'original' budweiser - so it's a feather in your cap.

Also, a very memorable meal for me was at "the Original Pils Urquell" restaurant. Seems like a bit of a chain because there were 2 or 3 of these around town - but that was good food. I had a simple roasted chicken with mashed potatoes....but it was so freaking good.

We had a wonderful meal at David's--very nice atmosphere and not inexpensive but did not blow the budget. It was a five course meal with wine pairings. This restaurant is located near the Alchemist hotel and the American Embassy--about a 10 minute walk from the Charles Bridge.

We also failed to find 'memorable' food in Prague. It was OK but nothing special.

On the other hand, the ambience is good, and the beer is fantastic. Sample many to find your favorite. You will not be disappointed. Note: check me on this but I think that it is true that each bar/restaurant is committed to a particular brand of beer. The sign outside will tell you which one they have. To sample several, you have to go to a store. Sounds strange but thats the way I remember it.

George is right. With few exceptions most pubs in Prague (and all over Czech R.) are committed to one or two brands of beer. But I wouldn't recommend to go to a store. Tap beer tastes always better than in bottle. So if you want to sample go to more pubs.

Another vote for Restaurant Medveku.

I do, in fact, strongly recommend the veprova pecene (pork knuckle). If you've had Schweinshaxe in Germany, it is the same cut of meat... er... cut of leg... just with Czech spices and ambiance. Traditionally served on a board with a big knife sticking out of it. Comes with cucumber salad and (of course) saurkraut and potatoes most of the time.