Prague might not be known as the world’s most happening party city. However, it certainly is a fun place to spend an evening. As the cultural heart of Eastern Europe, it has a diverse eating scene. Also, the Czech Republic is known for making some of the world’s finest beers. These beverages are sold in pubs and beer halls throughout the city, while other types of nightlife venues make it possible for travelers to sample a little bit of everything while they are in Prague.
Want to eat and drink your way through Prague? Here are the most worthwhile stops.
City-wide bar crawls
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It is easy to make Prague’s pubs part of your itinerary, but even easier to join one of the guided pub crawls that are offered by specialty tour companies around the city. The Prague Pub Crawl, for example, passes through some of the city’s best drinking spots before finishing the night at one of Eastern Europe’s biggest nightclub complexes. Other pub crawls are available, with some offering entry to additional bars and clubs on multiple nights. Of course, a more authentic experience would be to simply organize your own pub crawl. Larger beer halls are welcoming places and it is not uncommon for patrons to sit at a table and drink with complete strangers.
Street vendors
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In the main square of Old Town and New Town’s Wenceslas Square, a large number of vendors serve sausages and drinks out of street stalls. This is fast food Prague style, though many people find it quite a bit better than the food served by standard fast food chain restaurants. Some of these street vendors will serve mulled wine as well, making it possible to enjoy a beverage while you wander through the two main squares of the city. Street vendors offer cheap eats, but many pubs and bars also have similar budget-priced treats, so there is absolutely no need to head to a fast food chain in search of cheap eats.
A night in Old Town
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Old Town is one of the main tourist areas in Prague. It has a number of quality restaurant choices. Italian food is especially prevalent here, with a number of pizza and pasta places serving up authentic cuisine from the various regions of Italy. Spanish and Middle Eastern restaurant are also part of the dining scene. High-end cuisine is on the menu at places like La Dégustation Bohême Bourgeoise, commonly called one of the best restaurants in the city, and the Needle House Restaurant, a barbecue joint where food is roasted on huge skewers. Old Town has a mix of pubs and other nightspots. Some of these, including the (im)famous Roxy can get pretty wild and even a little bit raunchy. However, there are a number of other options as well. More low-key choices include jazz bars, cocktail lounges and the popular Golden Tiger Pub, a local drinking spot that is always intimidatingly crowded, but a lot of fun.
A night in New Town
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New Town is not quite as ultra modern as its name might suggest. Atmospheric and unique restaurants like Restaurant Zvonice, located in a huge bell tower, serve up tasty eats in memorable settings. New Town’s beer halls are second to none. The aptly named Beer Factory allows users to pour their own beer from a tap at the center of the table. Some restaurants make their own beers onsite. These eatery/brewhouses include U Fleků, which is well known for its dark, creamy house brew. A host of jazz club and some small live music venues, like the RedRoom, round out New Town’s diverse menu of nightlife offerings.
Other options
Photo: Alex [Fino] LA / Flickr
Prague is not all about beer and discotheques. Cafes and tea rooms are also popular in this culturally savvy city. These feature pastries, light meals and teas and coffees from around the world. A number of South Asian restaurants are found in Prague’s eastern neighborhoods, while bakeries serving up favorites like strudel are found throughout the city and provide another reasonably priced way to stuff yourself with authentic Czech foods.