Prague Restaurant Tips by johngayton

Restaurant Name: The Black Baron

This was a bit of an odd-bod, but with absolutely excellent food, excellent service and a ludicrously low bill.

Situated in a basement through a portico just off Wenceslas Square, this is well worth a visit - OK it was a quiet Tuesday night in October and there were only about three other tables occupied but it had a really nice atmosphere.

I assume it was "mine host" , bow-tied, greeting, and his wife serving and all done with smiles.

Really chill evening and the food was excellent.

Menu is in three languages - Czech, English and German, and as far as I could tell so were the staff!

Favorite Dish: I can't remember exactly how it was described on the menu but "The Old Bohemian" potato soup was delish - nice chunky broth and lots of flavour.

And the venison main course stuffed with mushrooms, a little chewy in parts (such is life), was also really tasty.

With a glass of wine the bill was less than 300Kc

Trying to find details at mo, seem to have lost them.............

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Theme: Local
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Have it somewhere
Directions: Through portico on LH side of Wenceslas Square just after statue

Restaurant Name: Cafe Poet

Situated in a quiet corner of Prague Castle overlooking the Southern Gardens the Cafe Poet (no amount of searching has thrown up its Czech name) is an ideal place to put your feet up for an hour and enjoy a light lunch and a beer or two.

On both my half-days visiting the castle I enjoyed a leisurely lunch there sitting outside, relatively undisturbed by the masses. With its location being off the main tourist circuit only those who have searched it out, or have been wandering aimlessly, will come across it - the only exception being one tour group of Japanese who temporarily besieged the place during my second visit - such is life!

Favorite Dish: The menu itself is obviously aimed at visitors looking for a quick bite to eat with a selection of sandwiches, salads, pasta dishes and pastries, but none the worse for it.

Translation problems are overcome by the menu being not only in three languages but by being pictorial also - point and nod being the order of the day.

I think I had some sort of salad on my first visit, which must have been OK otherwise I wouldn't have gone back again. On my second visit I had a pasta dish with julienne of fillet steak which whilst not attempting to even ascend the first rung of the gastronomic ladder was tasty, filling and cheap - washed down by a couple of Budvars the bill came to about 300 KCz - at the time about $10.

As an alternative to eating in one of the cafes in the main part of the castle with their standardised "Eurest" menues this is well worth seeking out.

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Theme: Coffeehouse
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Prague Castle
Directions: In the South-west corner overlooking the ramparts and gardens.

Restaurant Name: Kavarna Slavia

With its corner location and huge windows overlooking, respectively the National Theatre and the most Legii bridge with Petrin Hill in the background, this makes for an ideal cafe to sit and watch the world go by.

The cafe itself is a modern resurrection of one of Prague's "Grand Cafes" with its spacious, naturally-lit dining room and bow-tied but informal service. On my one visit the clientele comprised a mix of locals and tourists, the locals ranging from the besuited business lunch crew to ladies who lunch with a few shoppers thrown in to keep the balance right.

As can be expected the window tables are constantly occupied and so it is very much a case of getting your timing right, though of course you can just take any table and pounce as soon as a window one becomes available!

Favorite Dish: The menu offers light lunch options such as sandwiches and salads and also caters for the more robust appetites with its small selection of local specialities such as Braised Duck or Goulash with, of course, the famous dumplings!

Looking for a light lunch before going up Petrin Hill I opted for the "Salty Pancakes" - two savoury crepes (not salty at all) with spinach, bacon, Niva and Edam cheeses and a touch of cream. This was a perfect light lunch with excellent service in a pleasantly buzzy environment and the aforementioned window views completing the experience.

My lunch bill, including 2 beers, was less than 300 KCz which was excellent value for money!

Just as a little aside: this was one of the few Prague restaurants with a small vegetarian section on the menu.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 224 218 493
Address: Norodni 1
Directions: On the corner just opposite The National Theatre.
Website: www.cafeslavia.ck