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-   -   Prague restaurant that's not full of tourists? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/prague-restaurant-thats-not-full-of-tourists-562874/)

marybethcl Oct 6th, 2005 04:59 AM

Prague restaurant that's not full of tourists?
 
Can anyone recommend a restaurant in Prague that would serve good local fare, reasonable price, and NOT full of tourists? I know I'll probably have to venture "off the beaten path" a little, which is fine with me! I would just like a nice meal, in a comfortable atmosphere (NOT a "dive," please!)without mobs of tourists. Any suggestions?

rex Oct 6th, 2005 05:43 AM

We stayed on a little street, that is still not far from the center of everything... Zatecka (I think) (Za-TETS-ka?) and there were several ittle family-type restaurants - - ate in one of them; just as you describe, with nary a tourist in site.

No obvious "support" for any language other than Czech - - yet, I always felt that almost anyone under 30 was very accommodating to us in English.

Of course, basics, like <i>prosim</i> and <i>dekuji</i> are always a good idea...

See (or hear, actually)...

http://www.travlang.com/languages/czech/b5.au

http://www.travlang.com/languages/czech/b3.au

and much more, at...

http://www.travlang.com/languages/cg...langchoice.cgi

Best wishes,

Rex

elaine Oct 6th, 2005 07:15 AM

Not sure what reasonable price means to you, but I've been to Restaurant David, twice, and think it's wonderful. Small, off the beaten track in Mala Strana but not hard to get to, a country-inn kind of feeling in the heart of the city, but nothing ersatz about the food, decor, or service.
Www.restaurant-david.cz

John Oct 6th, 2005 01:46 PM

Try a little restaurant called Annabar just at the end of the Charles bridge (across the river from the castle.)
Turn right as you cross the street and approx.100 yards you will see a sign with an arrow. Follow the arrow and down the narrow street is the Annabar.
Local food, local people, no tourist. At least when I was there in March.
Have a great trip!

logos999 Oct 6th, 2005 01:55 PM

Serious? Almost everywhere in town unless you're right at Charles Bridge. I have been at a number of places and never met any tourists except germans, who tend to be anywhere ;-)

tower Oct 6th, 2005 02:49 PM

Marybeth...hopefully it's still there..but we found a quiet, charming place on the steep street leading up to the castle..Narodny...restaurant has three cast violins over its doorway, called U Tri Houslicek...try it..ambience great..

Historical Note: We were among the first guests at Restaurant David when it opened...pure chaos...three kitchen help failed to show, and I was asked to help the very upset maitre d' pencil in some English explanations for the very fancy menu (all in Czech)..which I did. We were not charged for the dinner, which at the time was just OK, not great. I have heard from several people since that it has become first class...

There is a cheapie place called The Bohemian Bagel over in Josefov, for a touch of home....but you could also try The Red Wheel which seems to be off the tourist path.

Stu
Stu

MelissaHI Oct 6th, 2005 02:56 PM

One of my favorites is Restaurace U Seminaristy at 45 Spalena. It is tucked away down a long hallway off the main street. At the end of the hallway is a courtyard and you can opt to eat in or outside. Go at 11 or 1130 as it will be packed by lunchtime. You can also go at night for dinner. Everything was good, reasonable, and very few tourists if any.

Another of my faves was Cafe Universal, sort of in the same area but farther down towards the National Theatre. Extremely cheap, very good, and maybe a few more tourists than Restaurace U Seminaristy.

elaine Oct 6th, 2005 03:47 PM

&quot;Almost everywhere in town....I have been at a number of places and never met any tourists except germans&quot;

There are plenty of touristy restaurants in Prague besides those near the Charles Bridge. Most of the places around Old Town Square, for example. Ditto the places around Wenceslas Square, to name two other locations. Not all the cafes are bad merely because they are touristy, and in the residential neighborhoods there aren't many tourists, but to say there aren't any tourists &quot;almost everywhere&quot; is silly, unless perhaps it was a blizzardy day in February.

ThinGorjus Oct 6th, 2005 03:58 PM

Not only is DAVID the best restaurants in Prague, it is one of the best restaurants in the world. My mother, Linda, has stated over and over again that she had the best meal of her life at DAVID. The food is ethereal, although not cheap. Plan to spend about $120 for two, with an inexpensive bottle of wine and no dessert. It is well worth it. Don't worry about tourists, darling. Only serious foodies dine at DAVID.

Have you read my trip report on Prague &lt;Pancaky Papers: Thingorjus in Praha&gt;? It is probably the most famous trip report ever posted on this site.

Ciao, darling.

logos999 Oct 6th, 2005 04:04 PM

elaine, Prague is a lot bigger than you might think.

elaine Oct 6th, 2005 04:15 PM

I actually think it's quite large, so I don't see that you have any idea WHAT I might think.

The question was about restaurants not being full ot tourists. Your answer was &quot;Almost everywhere in town unless you're right at Charles Bridge.&quot;
That is not accurate in my experience.


elaine Oct 6th, 2005 04:16 PM

Here is the aforementioned very famous report on Prague, the Pancaky Papers.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34514397

logos999 Oct 6th, 2005 04:22 PM

right I don't know what you think until I get my crystal bowl. Just wait a few minutes.

ThinGorjus Oct 7th, 2005 02:13 AM

Where did you purchase your crystal bowl, logos? Moser?

Voyager2006 Oct 7th, 2005 02:33 AM

I really wish you would stop fussing around with each other..we're out here starving to death!!!

marybethcl Oct 10th, 2005 02:16 AM

THANKS to everyone for the suggestions. I definitely plan to visit David Restaurant when in Prague, and I will scout out some of the others you all have suggested. This board is SOOOO helpful in planning a trip!


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