Eating in London, Paris & Prague
 

We are leaving in two weeks for Europe and we are looking at some places to eat. In London a lot of people have recommended pubs which is fine with me. Does anyone know any good ones? We are staying in the financial district in London in the Hilton. We are really looking at eating at places that are good but not hard on the wallet.

For Paris, we are eating at the Le Coupe Chou thanks to some of my patients who recommended it to me. We are staying near Champse Elyses, about 5=8 minutes away. Any suggestions on good food that will help take in the atmosphere? We dont want to eat anywhere that is snobby and stuffy-- we prefer the quant locations.

For Prague, we are staying in the Movenpick which is slightly on the edge of downtown. When it comes to Prague Im actually totally lost. Any suggestions?

Thank everyone for all your help!

Hi sd,

>For Paris, we are eating at the Le Coupe Chou...

You are having only 1 meal in Paris? :)

What's your budget?

Where are you staying?

((I))

Haha, no no not only one place to eat, Im sorry. I was trying to list the places we have already decided on eating at for one meal. Our budget for dinner in Paris is abou 25 euros a person, and for lunch about 10 euros. We are staying near Champse Elyses--at Le Meridian near Port Maillot (I spelt that wrong!).

In London, we are planning on 15 pounds a meal. We are staying near the Financial District at the Hilton.

Are you sure the Movenpick is "on the edge of downtown?" It's on the Castle side quite a ways away from things; although there is a tram that goes over the river then it looks like you have to change either trams or take the subway to the Old Town. There's a tram that also goes up to the Castle area.

Sorry I'm not helping with restaurants, just trying to orient you. If you haven't done it yet, go get a Streetwise Prague map at the bookstore and you will see what's what.

Near Le Coupe Chou is Le Petit Prince...highly recommended.

If you like seafood (oysters especially) you will find this place near your hotel; you must book ahead:

Balon & Coquillages, 77 Blvd. Gouvion-St. Cyr

Which Hilton in London? There are several. But in any case, there is no need to eat at/near the hotels since presumeably you will be in other parts of town every day.

£15 is not very much for dinner in London - even at a lot of pubs. There are places like wagamama and such, and some pubs, places in China Town or other ethnic places that have inexpensive menus.

But otherwise, if you include a glass of wine or a beer you can count on £20-£25 per person for non-splurge meals.

The Movenpick is right near the Andel metro stop, actually, south of Mala Strana in Smichov district. I don't really know that area, have just been through it during the day, sightseeing. As long as you are staying there, you should do a brewery tour of the Staropramen brewery which is right near the Movenpick. Here is their website with info on the tours:

http://www.staropramen.com/

I bet there are lots of cheap restaurants around there, but you can get other places easily as it's right near a metro stop. I'm not a big foodie and don't plan meals very much, so am not much help on special places. In Prague, I do fine just wandering around the main area near Old Town Square and stopping in places that look decent to me. Which is usually what I do. I can think of a couple I liked over near Powder Gate, but that isn't much help --someone who knows the Mala Strana area would have better advice, although that metro line doesn't actually go there. A tram line would, though.

Just to be prepared, it's going to take you a lot longer than 5 minutes to get from the Meridien Etoile to le Coupe Chou. Someplace near line 1 would be most convenient, but I am not good with that. Folks who like the Marais maybe can recommend something, as St Paul is right on that line.

Check http://www.fancyapint.com for pub addresses and reviews in London.

Lee Ann

There isn't a Hilton in the City. If you're staying at the Hilton, Canary Wharf, that's not the financial district (though it's A financial district), it's an out and out eating wasteland and good luck in finding somewhere to eat. Ditto Hilton Docklands

If you're staying at a Hilton near the City - like Islington, London Bridge or the Waldorf - you're in a completely different eating environment from the City's weird "million lunchtime places, then two packed out boozers after 6 pm" restaurant facilities.

But there's no point in giving you advice about eating without more helpful geography than a refernce to a non-existent hotel.

Hmmm, is it important to you that you eat near your hotels? I often wander about to get a variety of meals, or synch my restaurant choices with the stuff I am seeing that day (Notre Dame, the Louvre, etc.).

How about www.randompubfinder.com

Have you done other research using the search function? Cheap eats in Paris, stuff like that. I'd probably not do a lot of eating on the Champs Elysee since it's quite touristy.

In Prague I had a good breakfast of a herring sandwich and OJ for about $6 at Ocean's Corner in Old Town. Later at Zlaty Dvur I had goulash and a Budvar for about $15.

In Paris the Champs-Élysées is nothing but snooty and expensive. Get over to the Left Bank in the student area. It is touristy but hey, this is Paris.