I don't have one favorite restaurant. I have a few that I like visiting on a regular basis, be it for the food, atmosphere, memories... Here's a sampling: Czech - Novoměstský pivovar on Vodičkova Italian - Pizzeria Rugantino near Old Town Square Chinese - Huang He in Vršovice French - La Creperie in Letná Mediterranean - U Grébovky near Grébovka Fast food - Subway on Karmelitská or Štěpánská
gementricxs: I just discovered same restaurant this year. It is more like a pub, actually downstairs is sports bar and less smoking area is downstairs through sports bar area in the back room (for dinner and less smoke). Proper name is PIVNICE U PIVRNCE and it is in Maiselova ul. It is by Staromestske nam (Old town square) and it is probably most reasonable restaurant in the area. And what's more Czech dishes are cooked properly and are very good. Except for one peculiar change: Svickova has heap of sweet whip cream from the can on it. You have to mix it very carefully (to your taste - so you don't over-do-it.) They have good choice of Czech traditional meals for very reasonable price (under 100 Kc). Gulash and dumplings are one of the best I had (and I am Czech by origin). Didn't care for their palacinka with canned peaches (too much like warmed up in microwave). Friendly waitress. Hours are 11:00 - 24:00. There are very naughty drawings on the walls. They do deserve recommendation, but don't tell too many people. I worry, that they rise the price. My apartment is just behind the corner and I take my friends who are visiting Prague for dinner to this place. Another good one, but you need to know what you want in Czech (black board style) is busy at lunch self serve CESKA KORUNA. You get clean bill at the entrance on which they will write what you ask for at the counters and you will pay at the cashier when you are leaving. Get your serving tray. Large selection from three different counters (sweets, sweet dishes, coffee etc.) another one (Czech variation of health food salads) and large counter (soups, snitzels first, then ask for meal + how many dumplings or other addition to dish, then continue to ask for drink/beer). Find your table, you can ask if you can join someone if there are empty chairs. Reasonably priced and it is located on left side of Havelsky Trh when you are looking to Mustek (between Mustek and Old town square).
What do you think of the oysters served at U Prince on the Old Town square? Mine were not alive, though they didn't stink. The waiter said they are imported from Holland. I enquired here in France about Dutch oysters, and a specialist told me it's a crossbreed created by the Dutch from several French species.
I wanted to add another restaurant to the list here. I think U Kašpárka in Prague 10 is worth a trip. They have some great pork dishes with my favorite being their grilled pork tenderloin with Dijon sauce and mushrooms. Yummmm. The service has been good and the place has a nice atmosphere. The restaurant is not far the Strašnická metro station, which is one stop before the end of the A (green) line.
I like the Italian restaurant in Namesti Miru, I think it's called Grossetto, and in summer the beer garden on the hill in Letna Park (more for the view and the atmosphere than the food)
Dana, do you really visit Novoměstský pivovar on a regular basis ? I was in that restaurant several times and I did'nt see any Czech people inside, only tourists. And as I know their beer is not typical for Czech (most Czech beer is filtered) and it's so expensive. By the way I found some Russian dishes in their menu and I can say they are unable to cook them properly I like "native" Czech restaurants or "hospoda-s" much more than places designed specially for tourists. For example Malostranska Pivnice, U Rudolfina, U Hrocha.
I know I have mentioned this before in another thread, but I am looking forward to going again to Restaurace Sklep on Seifertova (opposite Viktorka). I also like a small restaurant on Konviktska, but it's name escapes me.
Yes, I do visit Novoměstský pivovar on a regular basis, which doesn't mean that I go there every week. Or maybe "on a regular basis" isn't the right term. "Repeatedly" would be a better word. Basically, when I'm in the area and get hungry, NP is my number one choice for lunch/dinner. I've also taken visitors there, both Czechs and foreigners. I agree that it is always full of tourists and the beer is not your typical Czech kind. But this topic is not titled "What's your favorite restaurant in Prague that's frequented mostly by Czechs and serves typical Czech beer at average prices?". I like NP because it's a fun, unusual place, I like the food (I don't go there for Russian food - I prefer the great pivní guláš), the beer is excellent and the service has always been polite and friendly. I can get typical Czech beer pretty much everywhere else, so I'm happy there are places that offer something a little different - like Novoměstský pivovar, Klášterní pivovar Strahov or Pivovarský dům. Dana
I just have to jump in with one of my [several] favorites -- Petřínské Terasy half-way up (or down) Petřín hill. The view is outstanding, the food is excellent and reasonably priced, and the service is better than average (meaning that the waiters actually notice you sitting there ). Susan
Dana, thank you for the explanation ! The same thing is here in Russia. Usually I don't visit restaurants with traditional Russian cuisine. I like Japanese, Irish and Czech places. Unfortunately Czech cuisine is not so popular in Russia. But when I'm in Prague I'm trying to visit only "native" Czech restaurants. Maybe it looks strange from Czech "point of view".
