Where to eat in Prague – your go-to guide for grub

Funnily enough, lunch is traditionally the main meal in Prague. However, due to the steadily increasing sea of tourists that visit Prague all year round (1, 668, 467 people ventured to Prague in the Summer of 2012 alone), almost all of the restaurants cater to the foreigner who fancies supper, with a variety of local and not-so-local foods for every taste bud.

Traditional Czech cuisine, like much of Northern Europe, is typically based around chicken or pork with starchy side dishes such as dumplings, potatoes or fries creeping onto most plates. Fish and beef is not as popular, though because of the tourists, a younger, more traveled generation of locals and recent abundance of farmable meat it is now more widely available and regularly eaten. Many of the cakes and deserts in Central Europe originated within Czech lands, with sticky pastries and gooey fruit dumplings a must for the first-timer.

 

Due in part to its fairly recent Communist history, the typical Czech dishes are relatively simple. One thing you can’t visit Prague without eating, is the dumplings – wheat or potato based, they are often filled with smoked meat, spinach or sour cabbage, but can also be served sweet, with fruit or cocoa, as a pudding.

 

Josefov – The Jewish Quarter

 

Located between the Old Town Square and the Vltava River, this old Jewish ghetto dates back to the thirteenth century. It is now home to some incredible restaurants; like the international V Zátiší which serves up exquisite Indian fusion treats. Tuck into their lip smackingly good tandoori tiger prawns and South Bohemian duck or, if you’re feeling particularly swanky, try their five course degustation menu with wine pairing for each drool-worthy course. If you’re looking for something a little more low key and local then try U Fleků on Křemencova road. One of the oldest and most prominent beerhouses in Prague, pop in for some hearty, traditional Czech fare and some of the best beer in the country. Don’t be put off by the décor – after a beer or two you’ll be swearing you want to replicate ‘the beer hall look’ in your sitting room at home.

 

• V Zatisi, 216/1 Liliova. Praha 1.  

Hradčany – The Castle District

 

Home of the infamous Prague Castle, Hradčany is packed with little gems of places to fill you up after trekking the belly-aching 570m around the Prague Castle. Pálffy Palác on Valdštejnská Street serves up fresh, tasty lunches of creamy risotto with arugula and Pecorino cheese and butter soft beef medallions with pepper corn sauce. Or if it’s a snack and caffeine fix you’re after to help you around the last leg of your sightseeing marathon, head to Café Slavia. Their frothy cappuccinos and local pastries provide the perfect reward for all your walking. If you’re seeking out something more substantial, then pop in to Lvi Dvur Restaurant. Set in the back of the Prague Castle, it is truly a unique dining out experience – the room a beautifully preserved tribute to the past with original period furnishings. Make sure you try the roast suckling pig – a dish to walk over hot coals for.

 

• Palffy Palac, 158 Valdštejnska, Praha 0.  

New Town

 

New Town is in the East Bank area to the east and south of Old Town and contains the bustling Wenceslas Square (the main boulevard in Prague that is chockablock with bars, restaurants and casinos). The choice is gargantuan, but if you’re dying to sink your teeth into a good burger then hit up Jáma for its big, fat burgers and free wifi, meaning you can make all your friends jealous back home by posting a pic of it. Also, you couldn’t go to Wenceslas Square and not get yourself a párek v rohlíku – a Czech hot dog. Frankfurters are served inside a small ‘basket’ of bread and slathered in ketchup and mustard. You can buy them from any and every street vendor. Prepare to get addicted.

 

• Jama, 1447 Ostrovni, Praha 2.