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The selected restaurants have been divided into five categories: Gourmet, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.

All restaurant prices in Prague usually include 19% VAT. If a service charge (usually 10-12.5%) has been added to the bill, it is customary to round the bill up to the nearest Kč10. However, where a service charge has not been included, diners should leave 10% of the bill.

The prices quoted below are for an average three-course meal for one person and for a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent; they include VAT but not service charge or tip.
$$$$ (over Kč1,600)
$$$ (Kč1,100 to Kč1,600)
$$ (Kč500 to Kč1,100)
$ (under Kč600)

Gourmet

Alcron
Prague's finest restaurant for fresh seafood, the Alcron is a discreet semi-circular room in the Radisson Hotel, with a back wall consisting of a restored floor-to-ceiling art deco mural. The seasonal menu, conjured up by head chef Roman Paulus, includes dishes like roasted turbot, lobster (Canadian or Breton) with beurre noisette, and mushroom cordonetti with black truffles and grilled scallops. Reservations are recommended as there are only 24 seats available. The restaurant is only available for dinner service and is closed Sundays. They now also do cookery courses, which have proved very popular.

Radisson SAS Alcron Hotel, Štepánská 40, Prague 1
Tel: 2228 20038.
Website: www.radisson.com
Price: $$$$
Francouzská a Plzeñská Restaurace (French Restaurant in the Obecní Dům)
The French Restaurant, designed by Osvald Polívka (who also created the facade and the cafe), mixes the new baroque, Renaissance, Western and Oriental influences with Czech art nouveau, and cylindrical glass and gold chandeliers oversee this wonderful setting. Seasonal dishes include grilled Breton lobster with herb butter, artichokes filled with roasted vegetables and potato-fennel purée, coq au vin or grilled turbot. Reservations are essential. For a real gastronomic treat, the ‘Degustation Menu' is excellent.

Obecní Dům, Náměstí Republiky 5, Prague 1
Tel: 2220 02770.
Website: www.francouzskarestaurace.cz
Price: $$$$
Pálffy Palác Club
Situated in Malá Strana, the Pálffy Palace was built by the Lamintger family in the 17th century and is one of Prague's best-kept secrets. Acquired by the State in 1895, it housed archives of valuable manuscripts and then, during the Communist period, became a center for propaganda. After the 1989 Velvet Revolution, the palace was transferred to the Prague Conservatoire and, in 1994, the restaurant on the top floor was opened. The baroque atmosphere is maintained with period antiques, prints of composers on the walls and fresh flower arrangements. The restaurant holds 60 but this is doubled in the summer when the terrace with its superb views is open.

Valdštejnská 14, Prague 1
Tel: 2575 30522.
Website: www.palffy.cz
Price: $$$
Restaurant Flambée
Flambée is housed in eighth-century vaults beneath the Betlem Palác in Staré Město and is one of Prague's finest restaurants. The atmosphere is moodily baroque with light colors, candles on tables and a piano in the evenings. The menu varies but dishes might include roast foie gras with truffle artichokes, stuffed lamb saddle under a pie crust, or young duck Nantais carved at the table. The three course pre-theater menu is excellent value. The wine vaults offer an exceptional and rare selection. Guests have included many heads of state, as well as Hollywood and music stars like Tom Cruise and Michael Jackson. A renovation program was completed in July 2008, and it ensures that Restaurant Flambée retains its place amongst the city's top eateries. Reservations are recommended.

Betlémský Palác, Husova 5, Prague 1
Tel: 2242 48512.
Website: www.flambee.cz
Price: $$$$
U Maltézských rytířů (At the Knights of Malta)
Situated in Malá Strana and housed in three gothic and Romanesque cellar dining rooms, this candle-lit restaurant manages to be cosy and cheerful, despite rumours that it is haunted (although they do say that the ghost does not appear until after the restaurant closes). Dishes include venison chateaubriand, roast fillet of pike-perch filled with smoked salmon and leeks, and roast saddle of boar marinated in wild spices and served with mushroom sauce. The desserts are renowned, including homemade apple strudel and nut dough pancakes with pear jam. Booking is advised as there are only 33 covers.

Prokopská 10 (off Karmelitská), Prague 1
Tel: 2575 30075.
Website: www.umaltezskychrytiru.cz
Price: $$$

Business

Hybernia
Providing large portions at modest prices in Staré Město, Hybernia has a large lunchtime following, which includes heads of state and their bodyguards. The simple ochre decor with arches complements the comfortable high-backed chairs. The main restaurant is divided into smoking and non-smoking sections, while there is a 14th-century basement vault for large parties, as well as a quiet courtyard in summer. Dishes include pork knee muskateer (with horseradish, mustard and pickled cucumber) and chicken skewer with smoked salmon, bacon and vinegar herb sauce. The steaks are good here.

Hybernská 7, Prague 1
Tel: 2242 26004.
Website: www.hyberniapraha.cz (Czech only)
Price: $$
Koliba Praha
This traditional restaurant offers good views over the city outside the old center, as well as hearty Czech cooking. This is no mere tourist trap as authentic beef, game and fish dishes are cooked over an open fire and the delicious specialty soup makes for a satisfying homely starter. The generous portions mean that many visitors do not leave room for the homemade desserts, which is a serious mistake. A perfect venue for someone aiming to show clients that they know a good place to enjoy Czech food away from the tourist hordes of the old town.

Gregorova 8, Prague 11
Tel: 2729 41340.
Website: www.kolibapraha.cz
Price: $$
Posezení U Čiriny (Gathering at Čirina's)
This restaurant has dark yellow walls with many old prints and serves predominantly Hungarian/Slovak specialties. The chef, Irena Kosiková, was once the personal chef to President Havel. Dishes include fillet of pork with Hungarian salami and Niva (Czech blue cheese), pork cutlet filled with chicken liver and bacon, or chicken steak au gratin with ham, peach and cheese.

Navratilova 6, Prague 2
Tel: 2222 31709.
Price: $$
U Prince
Just south of the famous clock tower in Old Town Square in Staré Město, U Prince offers outdoor dining under canvas (with very comfortable chairs and excellent heating in winter) and a large indoor dining room with chandeliers and many old prints on the walls. A wide range of dishes are available, including Prince's teriyaki beef sirloin, pork fillet mignon and chicken breast, roasted courgettes with Niva (Czech blue cheese) on herb butter, or pork medallions on roasted pepper sauce. Seafood is also something of a specialty. The hot salad of lemon sole, served with mixed green leafs, fresh dill and mustard seed vinegar is a highlight. The view from the rooftop terrace is reason enough to come.

Staroměstské náměstí 29, Prague 1
Tel: 2242 12807.
Website: www.hoteluprince.cz
Price: $$$
ýiýkovská Televizní Věý
Strictly off-limits for vertigo sufferers, the 66m (215ft) tall TV Tower reaches into the heavens high above the city offering easily the best views of any dining venue in Prague. Built in 1992 the décor inside veers heavily towards communist-era kitsch and the food will certainly never trouble Michelin inspectors, but for a business lunch or dinner with a view, or to treat those with a taste for socialist chic, this is the place.

Mahlerovy sady, Prague 3
Tel: 2670 05778.
Website: www.tower.cz
Price: $$

Trendy

Maze
British chef Gordon Ramsay's first venture into the Czech Republic only opened in 2007, but already it has been a success. Based around his Maze restaurant in London, the cuisine is bright and inventive and the décor well thought out. The highlight is the seven course tasting menu, while the attached cocktail bar also tempts with some of the city's best cocktails.

V Celnici 7, Prague 1
Tel: 2218 22300. 
Website: www.gordonramsay.com/mazeprague
Price: $$$$
Restaurace Jama
It may not offer a culinary experience, but if you want to check out an eatery where the local younger crowd likes to go for an informal bite to eat, this is a good choice. Bright and breezy service comes along with what many locals and expats consider to be the best burgers in Prague, perhaps telling given that, just over a decade ago, many people fought against the establishment of the first multinational burger joint in the Czech capital. Jama shows how much the city has changed with free Wi-Fi and multilingual staff to go along with your burger and fries.

Jama 7, Prague 1
Tel: 2242 22383.
Website: www.jamapub.cz
Price: $

Budget

Ambiente The Living Restaurant
This very popular chain of restaurants offers inexpensive fresh food, and this branch has the likes of corn on the cob and a variety of salads. The eclectic international menu also covers Mexican fajitas and a massive range of Italian pasta and gnocchi dishes. More substantial main dishes include a variety of generous steaks, which are cooked to perfection. The chocolate brownies stake a fair claim to being the best in the city and the tiramisu is not far behind. One of the few restaurants in Prague that can genuinely say that it offers something for everyone.

Mánesova 59, Prague 2
Tel: 2227 27851.
Price: $
Příčný Rez (Cross-Cut)
A restaurant in the New Town with a loyal following, Příčný Rez is situated on a corner site, with a balcony area and large windows. The atmosphere is contemporary but cosy. The basement becomes a dance club most nights. Good dishes include steaks, chicken roll stuffed with ham and cheese served with a light basil sauce, breast of duck in a tarragon lime sauce or salmon on a bed of fettuccine with gorgonzola and capers. Service is excellent and the Sunday brunch is well worth a visit.

Příčná 3, at Reznická, Prague 1
Tel: 2222 33283.
Website: www.pricnyrez.cz
Price: $
Sama
Situated in the New Town, this is possibly the best Tex-Mex restaurant in Prague, with a southwest American/Mexican decor that matches the food. The menu includes burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas and huevos rancheros, as well as a few Czech dishes like roast pork fillet in a potato pancake. The Czech fritters with plum sauce and whipped cream are an extremely good dessert choice. No credit cards are accepted here.

Vladislavova 18, Prague 1
Tel: 2249 49305.
Price: $
Sate 
Just up the hill from Malý Buddha and near to Prague Castle, Sate is an excellent Indonesian-inspired restaurant. The basic, slightly Eastern décor is dominated by a large aquarium. Signature dishes include nasi goreng (fried rice with meat and prawns) and opor ayam (chicken in coconut milk). Look out for the eminently quaffable Bintang Indonesian beer too, a refreshing change from Czech beer.

Pohořelec 3, Prague 1
Tel: 2205 14552.
Price: $
Thrakia
A budget basement Bulgarian restaurant with decorated wooden plates on the light ochre walls, Thrakia is an excellent venue for an inexpensive meal in the city center. Kebabs, homemade sausages, srmy (stuffed cabbage), moussaka, cold cucumber soup and Mešena skara (four types of meat roasted on a lava grate) are all good options on a limited menu. No credit cards.

Rubešova 12, Prague 2 (behind the National Museum)
Tel: 6033 88860.
Price: $

Personal Recommendations

Kampa Park
To the right of the Malá Strana end of the Charles Bridge, Kampa Park is an excellent choice, especially in the summer when diners can eat beside the Vltava River. The restaurant is primarily painted in dark ochre with lights and chandeliers in holders with glass wings. Signature dishes include butter poached lobster served with creamy carrot purée, green peas and Jerusalem artichoke foam and the seared venison with parsnip fondant, figs, peach, foie gras and venison reduction. Famous guests have included Michael Douglas, Lou Reed, Hillary Clinton and Johnny Depp.

Na Kampe 8b, Prague 1
Tel: 2968 26112.
Website: www.kampagroup.com
Price: $$$$
Novomestsky Pivovar
If you seriously like your beer you will be in heaven in this testament to the amber nectar, which opened in 1993. The Czechs love their beer and here in this 340-seat restaurant they brew their own with some pretty impressive results. The food production is not bad at all either with a vast array of Czech specialties as well as various international comfort food dishes on the menu.

Vodičkova 20, Praha 1
Tel: 2222 32448
Price: $$
Restaurace U Supa
Yes, it is unashamedly geared towards tourists with hearty Czech dishes and photo menus, but Restaurace U Supa's location is superb just off the Old Town Square, the draught Budvar is excellent, the cooking is above par and they have wonderful large yellow lampshades festooned around the grand dining space. Highlights include the spicy traditional sausages to start and then the goulash with a generous amount of beef and dumplings.

Celetna 22, Prague 1
Tel: 2242 27800.
Price: $$
Restaurant Sarah Bernhardt
Around the corner from the Francouzská a Plzeñská Restaurace in the Obecní Dům is Prague's great art nouveau restaurant of the Hotel Paříý in Staré Město. Dishes include duck breast marinated in fresh ginger, honey and lemon grass with Masala sauce, brewery goulash, and barracuda fillets with strong fish velouté. The monkfish ragout with roast and dried tomatoes, whole mussels and wild rice is divine.

Hotel Paříý, U Obecního Domu 1, Prague 1
Tel: 2221 95195 or 2221 95666.
Website: www.hotel-pariz.cz
Price: $$$$
U Modré kachničky (At the Blue Duckling)
This intimate and esteemed restaurant in Staré Město is one of Prague's best for game. The candlelit dining room, set in a Renaissance-era home with vaulted ceilings and murals painted by the restaurant's artistic owners, is relaxing and appropriate for the quality of the dishes. The seasonal menu can include leg of boar, fallow deer medallions with juniper berries flambéed in borovicka (a gin-like spirit), and leg of rabbit in garlic with spinach and potato dumplings.

Michalská 16, Prague 1
Tel: 2573 20308.
Website: www.umodrekachnicky.cz
Price: $$



Nightlife:

In the 1990s, Prague's post-communist nightlife was justifiably famed with grunge-chic firmly en vogue. These days the Czech capital has developed a more sophisticated scene that still does have alternative clubs, but it also increasingly has slick cocktail bars, Irish bars, sumptuous whisky lounges and trendy DJ-bars, all weaving into an eclectic and enticing mix. Venues shift in and out of popularity rapidly in Prague. There are still many options in the city center, but some of the more interesting new places have moved out in search of cheaper venues to suburbs like ýiýkov. Establishments tend to be divided to meet the demands of three groups - expensive (for the newly wealthy Czechs and tourists), cheap and trashy (for the young tourists, backpackers and ex-pats) and cheap and innovative (for young Czechs and visitors in the know). Many bars are open late (until 0200 or 0400) and clubs even later (until 0600 or later).

In the Czech Republic, however classy, 'nightclub' often means a table-dancing club, usually with a strip show and often even with a sauna and Jacuzzi in private rooms. Clubs that feature live music are generally known as 'music clubs' or 'jazz clubs', while establishments that offer dancing are known as 'discos' or 'dance clubs'.

Dress codes and admission prices do not feature strongly in Prague's nightlife. The minimum drinking age in the Czech Republic is 18 years and drinks are inexpensive (depending on the drink - vodka is cheaper than whisky, for instance). Prices are the highest around the Old Town.

Weekly listing (in English) of music events can be found in the Prague Post (website: www.praguepost.cz).

Bars: These days the old town overflows with Irish bars and touristy drinking dens, but more traditional options include Zhlato Tygra, Husova 17, a tiny bar where Vaclav Havel took Bill Clinton for a beer when he was in town. For a bar with a view check out Bazaar Mediterranee, Nerudova 40. Up in the castle district U Cerneho Vola, Loretanske Namesti, somehow survives in tourist-land with ice cold Krusenovice beer on tap and no frills. The über trendy suburb of ýiýkov is where the local cognoscenti tend to hang out these days. Some worthwhile bars out here include Hapu, Orlicka 8, a friendly and intimate bar run by a couple expert in mixing generous cocktails and U Sadu, Skroupovo náměsti, a more traditional style Czech beer hall that is popular with students.

Clubs: Prague has more than its fair share of trashy discos, but a welcome alternative is the world music that continues to attract great attention in both clubs and live venues in the city. For a bit of everything (world music through to hard rock) try Akropolis, Kubelíkova 27, Prague 3 (website: www.palacakropolis.cz), a complex of concert spaces, bars and a cafe in ýiýkov. Latino clubs include La Habana, Míšeòská 12, Prague 1, and Mánes, Masarykovo nábřeýi 250, Prague 1, a 1930s functionalist gallery, which is only open on Friday and Saturday. Roxy, Dlouhá 33 (website: www.klub.roxy.cz), Prague 1, caters to the dance crowd and features a hidden tea house. 

Radost/FX, Bìlehradská 120, Prague 2 (website: www.radostfx.cz), is one of the few clubs to survive the early post-Revolution period and offers up a glamorous mix of house and techno music with big name guest DJs, though the dance floor is disappointingly small. It also includes a vegetarian restaurant and art gallery. Industry 55, Vinohradská 40, Prague 2, stays open very late for a youngish crowd, playing techno, house, trance and other dance music. Klub Lávka (website: www.lavka.cz), Novotného Lávka (by the Charles Bridge), is a popular top-40 club with good food, a wonderful riverside terrace and a tendency to put on strippers. 

Karlovy Lázné (website: www.karlovylazne.cz), also located at Novotného Lávka, claims to be the largest club in central Europe. The four floors all feature different music styles, with synth techno on the fourth floor, retro on the third, radio pop occupying the second and hip hop and funk blasting out on the first floor, complete with MCM cafe. There is also a chill-out area with big bean bags and sofas.

Live Music: For Czech folk music, see the Music section in Culture. Otherwise, Malostranské Beseda, Malostranské námìstí, Prague 1, features everything from 1920s jazz to contemporary rock. The Lucerna Music Bar, Vodickova 36, Prague 1 (website: www.musicbar.cz), serves up a rich blend of excellent jazz, rock and 1980s nights, with plenty of space to dance. Jazz has been popular in Prague since the 1920s and even though the scene has contracted with the growth of rock music, there are still excellent venues for an evening of jazz and blues. The Jazz & Blues Café, Na přikopì 23, Prague 1, has good programming and sound reproduction that more than make up for the terrible décor. U Malého Glen, Karmelitská 23, Prague 1 (website: www.malyglen.cz), is one of the oldest jazz bars in Malá Strana, with good food and a comfortable, friendly atmosphere. Reduta, Národní třída 20, Prague 1 (website: www.redutajazzclub.cz), remains infamous as the club where President Clinton attempted to establish a cool image by playing the sax for President Havel, but is very touristy.

The image of the cowboy has been inexplicably popular in the Czech Republic since the 1920s. První Prag Country Saloon Amerika, Korunní 101, Prague 3, is only open until 2300 but can provide a wild evening of country and western music - dress the part and mosey on down.

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