In my last post I spilled the beans on the best things to see and places to stay in beautiful Prague. Now it’s time to get into the serious business of eating, drinking and shopping…
Where to eat and drink:
You could easily booze your way around this city.
There are plenty of authentic Czech beer halls where you can sample what’s widely regarded as the best AND cheapest beer in the world.
I’m not a beer drinker (I can’t handle the unpleasant bloating and all that), but considering pilsner was invented right here in Prague I decide to give it a go. The pilsner at Pivnice U Rudolfina is regarded as the best in town – something to do with the way it’s “tapped”. My glass of beer is actually bigger than my head. It’s no wonder they refer to it as liquid bread.
Prague prides herself on having the highest number of beer consumers per capita in the world
If you plan on going hard with the beer, you’ll want something to line your stomach. A word of warning though – at the Rudolfina, there’s no English menu so the waiter translates: “Beef. Pork. Chicken. Fish. Vegetable”.
That’s it. Menu translation complete.
If the idea of eating a pig’s knee doesn’t make your stomach turn, the Roast Pork Knuckle is one of the most traditional dishes you can try in this city.
Something I didn’t expect to find in Prague was a phenomenal tapas bar. La Bodeguita del Medio is a little slice of Cuba tucked away in a side street just off the Old Town Square. Good food. Live Latin music. Super cute bartenders. And the best mojito in Prague. Yep – this will do quite nicely for a Friday night, thank you very much!
They also serve buckets of cocktails here. And that’s not an exaggeration. It’s actually a cocktail in a BUCKET, designed to be shared by five people with enormous straws that could extend to the next table. You’ll be well hydrated as you dance into the wee hours. The party atmosphere really gets going late on Friday and Saturday nights.
Order a bucket of the XXL Mojito, the Strawberry Daiquiri or the Cuba Libre
If you prefer your cocktails with a view, try the Hotel U Prince in the Old Town Square. The terrace has been voted one of the top 15 rooftop bars in the world. It’s a divine spot to take in the sunset.
Drinks with a view at the Hotel U Prince
Where to shop:
When it comes to shopping in Europe, you probably think Milan, Paris or London. But if you’re a shopaholic like me and you can’t resist popping inside every single ZARA you walk past (just for a quick look, I promise!), you’ll enjoy getting your spend on in Prague. The shopping is surprisingly good here, and the selection of well-known labels now rivals many Western European cities. Apparently the rent is cheaper in Prague, which means the prices are slightly lower. And the shopping is tax-free, so anyone carrying a passport from outside the EU can get some cash back through the VAT refund scheme.
The area around Wenceslas Square is home to plenty of big retailers like ZARA, Mango and H&M. The wide, tree-lined street Parizska, which runs from the Old Town Square down to the Hotel InterContinental, is Prague’s equivalent of Rodeo Drive. Here you’ll find all the super posh high-end luxury brands – Cartier, Hermes, LV, Prada – and some fancy-looking cafes where you can stop for an espresso and some people-watching.
I don’t know a single person who’s been to Prague and hasn’t come back raving about it. There’s a very good reason for that.