Restaurants Should you decide to stay in Prague for any prolonged length of time, you’ll find that bitching about restaurants is one of the favorite pastimes of expats here. It’s not that there’s a lack of good restaurants in Prague – there’s just a lack of good restaurants that everyone can afford. And unlike more developed Western countries, the Czechs don’t have a fine dining tradition to rely on. (Well, they used to, but the Communists pretty much destroyed it.) Service standards are generally low, quality of food can vary from visit to visit, new places tend to open and close all the time. Still, there are a few ol’ reliables out there that we actually frequent more than once a month. Below, you’ll find a totally subjective guide to our favorite restaurants in Prague. BARACNICKA RYCHTA Hidden away up a narrow lane around the corner from the American Embassy, Baracnicka Rychta is worth seeking out if you’re eager to sample specialties of Czech cuisine in an authentic (read: non-touristy) setting. The hall attached frequently features live music performances, but you came for the food and the beer, right? Both are usually good here, which is saying a lot. The prices won’t kill you, either. BOHEMIA BAGEL All day breakfast, anyone? Okay, how about delicious, authentic bagels? You know, like the kind you get at home? In Prague, there’s only one place. Well, okay, one place with two convenient locations. If you don’t mind being surrounded by loud yanks, that is. ARIANA Finding excellent Afghan food in Prague might seem to fall under the “highly unlikely” category. Think again. Nestled in the heart of Old Town, Ariana has been serving up tasty cuisine for years (formerly under the name Kabul, which the owners decided to change after 9/11.) While everything on the menu is delicious, we recommend in particular the Asak and Mantu. One of the best restaurants in Old Town, period. And one more piece of advice: Steer clear of Orange Moon, the Asian place across the street – blech! PICANTE You may be surprised that this tiny little fast food joint in Old Town serves the best Mexican in town. What’s more, it’s open 24 hours – always a life-saver when you need something tasty to absorb that gallon of beer you consumed at 3am. BANDITOS Okay, so this place gets second-best Mexican restaurant in town. My only complaint is that the portions are really intended for giants rather than normal human beings. Make sure you’re extra hungry when you go. Their breakfasts are excellent, and are served all day – a rarity in this town. Try the hash browns. RADOST FX Well, there was that incident with the salmonella a few months back…But otherwise, you should be fine. After all, it’s Prague’s trendiest vegetarian restaurant, the décor is super-cool, and the weekend brunch top-notch. It can get a bit pricey, though – remember that a 10% service charge is automatically tacked on, so don’t feel obligated to tip unless the service is excellent (it probably won’t be.) MODRA ZAHRADA The Blue Garden is a chain with locations all over town. Italian restaurants are a dime a dozen in this town, with the quality really varying from place to place. That being said, Modra Zahrada is generally very reliable, with tasty pasta and pizza dishes served in a casual setting.
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