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Inner city outings

Soaking up a little sun in Prague, plus news from indoors

By Dave Faries
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
July 18th, 2007 issue

Michael Wetterauer/The Prague Post
From ritzy riverside dining to ultra-casual picnic gardens, Prague offers many al fresco options.
Michael Wetterauer/The Prague Post
Come summer, every restaurant in Prague seems to sprout a patio. It may be a few tables jutting into a crowded sidewalk or a garden bordered by construction.
If atmosphere and scenery are more important considerations than price and quality, Old Town Square and the tourist zone alleys are memorable for a drink or dinner. Petřín Hill offers two well-known locations, Nebozízek and Petřínské terasy. In (and on top of) some of the better hotels, you’ll find spectacular spots. Allegro in the Four Seasons, for example, has a striking view of Prague Castle. Aria Hotel, Alchymist, Hotel Hoffmeister, Le Palais and others also draw folks eager for a little mealtime sightseeing. Then there are all those places around Charles Bridge in Malá Strana.
Simply put, the choices are too numerous to list.
With that in mind, here are just a few of the better outdoor seating areas — again, not taking food or service into account.
On the river
C’est la Vie Extensive terrace overlooking the Vltava and Střelecký ostrov. Říční 1, Prague 1–Malá Strana. Tel. 721 158 403
Hergetova Cihelna View of Charles Bridge from the left bank. Cihelna 2b, Prague 1–Malá Strana. Tel. 257 535 534
Občanská plovárna Large patio space below Letná Park. U Plovárny 8, Prague 1–Malá Strana. Tel. 777 802 792
Sovovy mlýny Not only the river, but Kampa museum and a gallery. U Sovovych mlýnů 2, Prague 1–Malá Strana. Tel. 257 535 900
With a view
Bella Vista Tucked against the monastery looking down at the city. Strahovské nadv. 1, Prague 1–Malá Strana. Tel. 220 517 274
Bellevue A small balcony, but impressive view of the castle. Smetanovo nábř. 18, Prague 1–Old Town. Tel. 222 221 443
Cowboys See the tile rooftops of Mala Strana and beyond. Nerudova 40, Prague 1–Malá Strana. Tel. 296 826 105
Zvonařka Tree-lined space overlooking the Nusle Valley. Šafaříkova 1, Prague 2–Vinohrady. Tel. 224 251 990
Secluded
Le Terroir Upscale dining in a rustic, cobbled space. Vejvodova 1, Prague 1–Old Town. Tel. 222 220 260
Pizzeria Di Carlo A hidden courtyard just off the busy square. Karlovo nám. 30, Prague 2–New Town. Tel. 222 231 374
U Pinkasů Several outdoor “rooms” in the shell of an old church. Jungmannovo nám. 16, Prague 1–New Town. Tel. 221 111 151
People watching
Kampa Park Still a celebrity draw after all these years. Na Kampě 8b, Prague 1–Malá Strana. Tel. 257 532 685
Kogo Courtyard draws the see-and-be-seen crowd. Na Příkopě 22, Prague 1–New Town. Tel. 221 451 259
Pravda Sidewalk elegance on Prague’s ritziest street. Pařížská 17, Prague 1–Old Town. Tel. 222 326 203
Square Gape at tourists pouring from Charles Bridge onto the square. Malostranské nám. 5, Prague 1–Malá Strana. Tel. 257 530 109
Kid-friendly
Auberge de Provence Quite a hike, but a great patio — and playhouse. U Špejcharu 355, Tuchoměřice. Tel. 220 951 083
Olympos Vast court with plenty of room to run. Kubelíkova 9, Prague 3–Žižkov. Tel. 222 722 239
Žofín An island setting, has swings and play areas. Slovanský ostrov 226, Prague 1–New Town. Tel. 224 934 548
On the sidewalk
Amici Miei Lattice work and plantings erase the street-side feel. Vězeňská 5, Prague 1–Old Town. Tel. 224 816 688
Mozaika Dine under the trees as Vinohradians traipse by. Nitranská 13, Prague 3–Vinohrady. Tel. 224 253 011
Sonora A picnic pavilion in an otherwise drab part of town. Radhošťská 5, Prague 3–Vinohrady. Tel. 222 711 029
Vino di vino Neighbor to Amici Miei, with same casual elegance. Vězeňská 3, Prague 1–Old Town. Tel. 222 312 999
Other deserved breaks
Europeans just can’t get enough processed, chemical-laden fast food — or so it seems. McDonald’s reported an 8.9 percent increase in sales over the first quarter of this year, about double the figure from Stateside. After all, who doesn’t love a good McRoyal with cheese once in awhile?
If Martin Hofman seems a bit tired lately, pay the baggy-eyes-and-dazed look no mind. The La Provence manager and his wife just had their second child, a girl.
Final (slurred) words
Twice in June I watched people in the throes of an allergic reaction to nuts. In one case, the guests inquired three times about the contents of a dessert at Trattoria Cicala. Each time the waitress responded with “no nuts” or an equivalent — although the crumbled almonds in the coating should have been obvious. The restaurant’s response? “Sorry,” with a charge for the potentially deadly mistake. The other occurred at an Odkolek, when the patron, allergic to Brazil nuts, asked if only “normální” varieties made up a certain pastry filling. So be aware: Thorough training and sympathy for special needs are not familiar traits in the Czech Republic. Caveat emptor.

Dave Faries can be reached at dfaries@praguepost.com


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