We will be staying Prague1 for the Christmas holidays. Can anyone recommend some good non tourist restaurants. Not expensive but good fare.
Thanks,
DJL

What kind of food do you like?

Hi,
We would like to sample the local fare. Traditional Czech dishes.
Thanks,
DJL

There is an EXCELLENT place in Zizkov (not in the center but very close) that is basically all locals. My grandparents are Czech and they love it. I'll find the name for you. It has a large menu (if you eat meat) and it's delish.

I actually know lots of places but not by name, and most are not right in the center (though very easily accessible by public trans). If you're still interested let me know and I'll find the names.

There is one place that is quite touristy but pretty good (great garlic soup) and with GORGEOUS views. It's up by the castle, and kind of hard to give directions to but I'll try! If you are on the square in front of the main entrance to the castle, with the great view over Mala Srana to your left, the National Gallery to your right, and the castle entrance behind you, walk ahead, and keep your eye on the left side of the street. After about a minute, in between two buildings, you'll see a narrow staircase leading down to another street. Walk down those stairs, and about halfway down or so you'll see a restaurant entrance on your left. Really nice views of Prague.

Here are two other places in the center that are actually frequented by locals but also have tourists. Both are really great for coffee, and good for food, and have amazing interiors. They had been closed for years and years, but were recently restored to their original condition.

Cafe Imperial, Na Porici 15. This is just off Namesti Republiky. Really great cafe, and they have very good food in my opinion. If you've never had pickled czech camembert, get it--it's a czech specialty and they make it pretty well.

Slavia--this is a gorgeous old cafe, right on the river, across Narodni street from the Nat'l Theater. I came here every morning for breakfast last time I was in Prague to look at the river, Kampa just cross it, Petrin hill, and the castle. Very good coffee. Back in its heyday, this was the gathering place for many Czech artists/musicians/poets. Don't miss it.

hi djl,
I was in Prague a few weeks ago and there were two places recommended to me by my Czech colleagues.
I can't say that they are not tourist restaurants, just that they seemed to be full of Czech locals at the time.
The places were:
'Usadlu' on Klimentska 2, Praha 1.which was about 3 blocks away from the Marriott.
www.usadlu.cz
What a great place ! Down into the cellars of the building to a medieval dungeon which has great atmosphere and fabulous food. It was so cheap, unlike many restaurants in Prague.
Next time I go to Prague I will re visit .
The 3 black roses ('U 3 cernych ruzi' sorry can't get the correct accents etc to come up) which is on the corner of Zámecká 05 Praha 01. This is not far from Prague castle and St Nicky's Cathedral/church.
The 3 black roses was a small pub really but the food was great.

Good luck

muck

Usadlu is great! good call. Actually restaurants in Prague are incredibly cheap (including the ones i listed above), except the ones catering to a Western wallet. I think that price is a good way to determine if a place will be good or not. The best restaurants (in my opinion) are usually very cheap, while the expensive ones on major streets and squares are mediocre (with some exceptions, of course). I would generally avoid anything on major streets and squares; while the food may be ok, they pander to tourists, are way too expensive for locals (and foreigners!), and usually have a horrible atmosphere.

If you do want to splurge, there is a great restaurant (right across the street from my old apartment) called v Zatisi. It's yummy but expensive (for Prague), I think about $30-50/person. It's right on the NW corner of Betlemsky Namesti, in the Old Town, on Liliova street (which intersects with Karlova, the street leading to Charles Bridge). Another splurge is Provence--it's a French restaurant, but it's very very good! I go there every time I'm in Prague. The address is Stupartska 9. You probably won't find this street on a map, so I'll try to explain how to get there. If you're at Old Town Sq., standing with the Town Hall (building with the famous clock) behind you, and facing the the Tyn church (the main church on the square, with 2 slightly different towers), walk toward the church. There is a small street on the left of it, follow that, and you'll see a passage way just ahead of you. Go through it, and you'll be in a small square called Umgelt. There's a jazz club, an apothecary store (with soaps etc. made by monks). Walk straight through the square, through the next passageway, and as you exit the square you'll see Provence on your left.

MP413,
You are the best. Thanks for all your suggestion. I agree with you about the price. We want traditional fare that hasn't been changed to suit American or British taste.

And thanks to everyone who responded. Please keep them coming.
DJL

I recommend the "U Mazlu" restaurant in Jungmannova as a tourist free destination with good fare. For a place which has good Czech food but, with a couple of tourists, try the restaurant on the ground floor of the U Suteru pension in Palackeho (between Jungmannova and Vodickova). I wrote a Czech Food guide at http://www.jasoncholt.com/prague/prahafood.html which will help you.

Na Zdravi

Hello,
we just returned from Prague and Poland. We loved our meal at U Modre Kachnicky, Nebovidska 6, Mala Strana. Duck, game, traditional Czech cuisine; elegant atmosphere, very attentive waiters.
Also, Stoleti's at Karoliny Svetle St. 21. Less expensive than U Modre Kachnicy, casual atmosphere, great food, seemed to be a lot of locals.

topping for LAL